 Sarah Gualtieri Unsplash.com Holidays and Celebrations Let’s start with the obvious. Halloween. A blast for your kids, but for your pets -- not so much. Your child’s treat bag contains all sorts of dangers, from chocolate, which of course is poisonous to dogs, to candy in general, which is bad for your pets’ teeth and presents a choking hazard. Be aware that some sugar-free candies contain xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. Candles are also a fire hazard around your curious cat or clumsy pooch. Trick-or-treaters are also stressful for your furry friends, and they may dart outside and get lost or worse. Keep your dog or cat locked up away from the excitement. Thanksgiving poses similar dangers. Keep your animals away from the dinner table, as the rich, fatty foods are irresistible, but can cause pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal upset. And make sure they can’t escape when guests come and go. Keep their ID tags current and on their collar, and have them microchipped, if they aren’t already. Chemicals, Cleaners and Dangerous Plants It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway – keep fertilizers, pesticides and cleaning products out of reach. When you spread fertilizer, spray pesticides and leave out rodenticides, make sure your animals cannot come in contact. Use pet-friendly de-icers for your driveway and sidewalks, and of course, keep ethylene glycol-based antifreeze products out of reach, as they are good tasting but highly toxic. When you pull out your winter wardrobe, don’t let your cat or dog get hold of a mothball. They are highly toxic. When the temperatures begin to fall, mushrooms make a comeback in your yard. Although most mushrooms and toadstools aren’t poisonous, a few types are actually life-threatening if ingested, so it’s best to keep your animals (and small children!) away from all of them. Chrysanthemumsare a common autumn-blooming flower but can cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea if eaten. Likewise, holiday plants such as poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and general malaise. One of the most dangerous plants for your dog or cat is the castor bean plant. Eating just a small amount of castor leaves or pods can cause severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, drop in blood pressure and sudden collapse. It can be fatal if not treated promptly. When planting your tulip and daffodil bulbs in the fall, keep them away from your animals as ingesting them causes vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, and even cardiac arrhythmias. Many types of lilies are toxic to cats, and azaleas, larkspur, iris, and philodendron can cause varying degrees of stomach upset. If your pet shows signs such as drooling, nausea, shallow breathing, or disorientation, or you think he has come in contact with a questionable plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Miscellaneous Threats and Hazards Fall is a great time for hiking the foothills with your dog but be sure to watch your step. Rattlesnakes are getting ready to hibernate, are more prevalent on trails, and are grumpy! Ticks, which can carry diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and tick paralysis pose a serious threat to both you and your dog. Always check for the little bloodsuckers after every outing. When you’re thinking about autumn threats to your pets, grass does not typically come to mind; however, certain tall grasses, including foxtail and wild rye, can cause everything from mild skin irritation to serious abscesses. These grasses have a fuzzy tip, which consists of tiny, barbed seeds that can burrow into your dog’s skin and ears and cause havoc. They can migrate under the skin and cause inflammation, skin infections, and intense itching. If not found, they can even burrow through the chest wall and cause abscesses in the chest cavity – an extremely serious condition. Grass awns that work their way into your pup’s ear often have to be surgically removed. The leaf piles you raked up last weekend may look like a playground for your dog, but if they’ve been sitting awhile, they can harbor mold, bacteria and other decaying substances, which can cause allergic reactions, skin infections and abdominal upset. Keep the leaf playing to newly fallen leaves. After reading this, you may be tempted to keep your dog or cat inside until the seasonal dangers subside, but there are hazards throughout every season. Educating yourself so you can provide a safe, yet stimulating and fun environment all year round is an important part of being a good pet parent and will help ensure a long, healthy and happy life for you and your friends. |
