Every holiday season I warn pet owners about the dangers our pets can encounter. While it may seem like common sense, here is my list, and I checked it twice. Mistletoe and poinsettias can be toxic if ingested and the water from your beautiful tree can cause a digestive irritation resulting in diarrhea. Tinsel and ribbon can be swallowed by our playful cats and cause an intestinal obstruction that can be fatal. Keep your puppies and kittens away from the electric cords of your string lights as that can quickly cause electrocution, severe oral burns and even death. Glass ornaments can be broken and cause serious injury. 

Party away but not for your pets.  Alcohol and even THC will cause poisoning. And so will raw bread dough (has alcohol). My own cat caught her tail on fire one time brushing it over a candle – lesson learned! This Christmas story ended well as I was right there to put out the fire although she smelled of burned hair for a few days.

And the festive meal is served! But that delicious food we serve at the holiday table can be too rich for pets and cause pancreatitis, which can lead to potentially dangerous digestive symptoms. Some sugar-free treats contain xylitol which is fatal to pets. And of course, chocolate, garlic, onion and grapes are a common cause of toxicity in pets all year round.

During my time as an ER veterinarian (and several “graveyard” shifts at Christmas and New Year) I saw many animals come in for all the above listed reasons, and some heartbreaking cases that I remember to this day. 

In order to avoid a visit to one of the overwhelmed emergency veterinary hospitals (especially at this time of year) it pays to dog/cat-proof the decorations and plants and warn our guests to not feed the animals under the table (here’s looking at you Uncle Joe!).

We are excited  to start the New Year and officially welcome you as our subscribers. In the meantime we wish you a wonderfully happy holiday season from all of us at Pets after Dark to you and your loved ones. 

Warmly, 

Dr Caroline Simard-Swimmer

Medical director 

Pets After Dark