Protect Your Pets from Household Holiday Dangers

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 11, 2016 -- It's easy for pet owners to get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays that they forget about pet safety. But joy can transform into worry if a pet consumes holiday decorations, foods, plants, or chemicals that make them become ill.

Veterinarian Dr. Michael Turley of Columbus's Hamilton Road Animal Hospital warns that pets face many temptations during the holidays which can lead to accidental poisonings.

"We want to share some ideas from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center to encourage caution and prevent emergency veterinary visits," Dr. Turley says.

Hamilton Road Animal Hospital is located at 1129 South Hamilton Road in Columbus and also serves the communities of Whitehall, Bexley, Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, Pickerington, and Groveport.

Here are the ASPCA suggestions shared by the clinic:

Holiday Decorations

Don't let your pet drink Christmas tree water, because it may contain fertilizers or bacteria (from going stagnant). Both may cause indigestion, and bacteria can lead to vomiting.

Another fluid that attracts pets is liquid potpourris simmered in pots. If the pots leak, pets may brush against them, get the liquid on their fur and lick it. They may also drink directly from the pots or knock them over and lick the spills. The ASPCA warns that this may result in mouth, skin, or eye damage.

Batteries and electrical cords are abundant at the holidays. Licking corroded batteries can lead to chemical burns and other harm to a pet's mouth, tongue, and intestines. Chewing on electrical cords can lead to electrocution.

Don't forget that tinsel and ribbons can create an intestinal obstruction and that glass ornaments lacerate the digestive tract when ingested.

Holiday Plants

Poinsettia consumption irritates the mouth and stomach and sometimes causes nausea and vomiting. Holly similarly disturbs the digestive system.

Mistletoe and many types of lilies are particularly dangerous. Unless an animal expels any mistletoe consumed, heart problems may ensue. If a cat swallows lilies, kidney failure is possible.

Holiday Sweets

Dr. Turley and the ASPCA stress that chocolate and treat-filled stockings are dangers to keep out of reach. "Dogs are drawn to chocolate," he says. "Although the theobromine in it doesn't harm people, it can be deadly to pets."

Finally, guard batters and baked goods hot from the oven. It's not difficult to imagine the stomachaches and burns that may accompany ingestion.

Household Chemicals

Not all sweets that pets encounter during the holidays are foods. During cold weather, make sure that your cat or dog doesn't lick sweet tasting anti-freeze from the garage floor or gutters. It can be lethal.

Regarding cold-weather chemicals, it's also necessary to wipe pet paws after they walk through ice-melt products.

For more information about holiday precautions or to treat an unexpected emergency, call Hamilton Road Animal Hospital at (614) 239-0027. Visit their website at http://hamiltonrdanimalhospital.com/. The hospital is open Monday through Saturday.

Hamilton Road Animal Hospital, (614) 239-0027