With Christmas just around the corner, your dogs will experience many different changes to the house. human foods. Our nurses Hazel and Beth have written a blog to highlight our Top 10 Christmas Poisons to watch out for this year. The holly's spiny leaves and potentially substances (including saponins, methylxanthines, and cyanogens) released from the plant are what makes it toxic. Christmas decorations of all kinds can cause a serious hazard for our pets. Extra chocolate, currents, nuts, grapes and then there are the onions, shallots and chives to name but a few of the things toxic to our pets. Toxicity to pets. The festive season brings a change of routine and as poisons become more accessible to our pets, it’s no surprise that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times of the year for the Helpline. Babesia Canis is a disease spread by Dermacentor Reticulatus (variety of imported dog tick) that infects red blood cells, possibly leading to anemia. Neither this cactus nor members of the species that bloom around Easter are … Dr. Ernie Ward discusses holiday pet dangers he's learned about from personal and professional experience. 3rd December 2014 Clent Hills Vets Share During the Christmas Holiday period we all have extra food in our houses. Christmas is coming, and it’s important to know what to watch out for as we see more pets at this time of year with upset tummies than normal. If any part of the plant, including the root, is chewed, signs of excessive drooling, lethargy, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea can occur. So many of the foods and decorations that we enjoy are potentially toxic or harmful to our pets - and that’s true of a lot of common (and very popular!) All of this can create an environment in which … Continue reading Christmas-Specific Poisons for Both Cats and Dogs What we consider to be treats can be … Stress and anxiety for cats at Christmas. Christmas is a great time to be with friends, family and pets, and although it may be a little different this year, don’t forget that some traditional Christmas … Although at The Mount Vets we are yet to come across a Dermacentor Reticulatus tick, it does appear to have established in Southern England. Helleborus niger, Hellebore, Easter rose, Ranunculaceae. Pet safe food at Christmas. If the family pet is especially persistent, spray the plant with cayenne pepper dissolved in water. However, many of our beloved Christmas treats are quite harmful to dogs and cats. With pets, generally acute poisonings are the most common around Christmas. Holly ingestion can cause vomiting but, if digested and the poisons absorbed into the body, nerve problems can occur. Not many people realize, however, that if a Christmas tree’s needles are eaten … Christmas is the most dangerous time of year for pets to be accidentally poisoned. Tom Applegate, Getty Images. Dog Toxins & Poisons. 24/7 ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTER: (855) 764-7661 Call Now There are some foods and plants that are toxic to dogs and should be kept out of reach of curious noses. Find out more about Christmas food dangers Christmas trees and plants Tasty Christmas Poisons: We can all agree that the food is one of the best parts of Christmas, and your pets probably agree if they get cheeky pieces of turkey under the table! Christmas cactus is non-toxic to cats although the Pet Poison Helpline does say that mild nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can occur in some cats. The post has racked up 18,000 likes and over 6,000 comments, with people shocked that such a popular product can have effects like these on pets. Christmas Poisons. Chocolate However, it can be a danger zone for your family pets! … Posts by: Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM. The Christmas cactus is non-toxic to people or pets. Poinsettia, mistletoe, and holly, for instance, can be harmful to pets… Hidden Hazards: keeping your pets safe. The holiday time around Christmas and New Year is obviously a period for most individuals when much food and drink is consumed, homes are filled with more people than usual, there are often children around, and Christmas trees adorned with presents are given pride of place. As we celebrate the end of what has been a challenging year for most, calls to the Animal Poisons Helpline are on the rise. Poisons and Hazards for your pets Poisons and Hazards. Poisons for Pets at Christmas Time. It’s important that you pet proof any decorations. A handy guide to Christmas poisons, dangers and irritants for your pets is an easy-to-care-for cactus that blooms around the holidays. Great food and treats abound this time of year. Alternate names. Place plants, such as poinsettia, up high where animals can’t reach them. With so many visitors, change and new smells, Christmas in general can be a stressful time of year for cats, particularly nervous ones. Our pets are curious creatures and, sadly, there are many potential dangers in our homes and gardens. The Animal Poisons Helpline is a registered animal charity that receives no government funding for its life-saving service. Their usual home environment is filled with trees, unusual flowers and other decorations and cupboards are jam-packed with lots of tempting but potentially toxic food and drink. Holly . It's all so beautiful, but also dangerously toxic and poisonous to pets. It’s a little-known fact that Christmas is a more dangerous time for our pets. Even the most knowledgeable pet owners may not have heard about this very dangerous hazard. Christmas cactus and pets can coexist in harmony in the home but preventive measures on other holiday plants should be taken. Most people recognize that glass ornaments are hazardous when they fall and break on the floor. Watch out for turkey bones as these can cause choking, constipation or damage to your dog’s intestines. Christmas Trees – Fir, Spruce and Pine trees are all considered to be of low toxicity to pets. The adorned Christmas tree in pride of place, which the cat wants to climb, to the succulent carved Turkey, that the dog wants to scoff! Don’t make the mistake of sharing that great food with your pets. If we are aware of the potential dangers and poisons then a few simple steps can ensure we can relax and thoroughly enjoy the festive season! When Christmas or English holly is ingested, it may result in severe vomiting and diarrhea. Christmas Risks – Food & Plant Poisons To keep your pets safe this Christmas, Spike has come up with a list of things to avoid during the celebrations. Tinsel can add a nice sparkling touch to the tree, but make sure you hang it up out of your pet's reach, or for the highest level of pet safety, simply don’t use it. Winter poisons Food hazards. Even a medication that does not require a prescription can be extremely dangerous to your pet. Holly berries and mistletoe can also be toxic to pets. While pets can be attracted to delicious smells wafting from the kitchen, glittering decorations adorning the tabletops, or brightly colored greenery spread throughout your home, many cats and dogs are awed by the star of the show—the Christmas tree. 2. If you splashed out on a glorious festive houseplant for Christmas and are hoping it lasts well into the New Year, spare a thought for your pets, because some houseplants can be toxic to cats and dogs. Since cats and Christmas trees are not always the best combination, it may take some ingenuity on your part to keep both parties safe during the holiday season. Holly, ivy and mistletoe are often found in Christmas decorations and wreaths, and are all toxic to our pets. Spike says… Christmas is a time for having fun and stuffing your face with food and my dogie friends would very … Onions, nuts, blue cheese, fruit cakes, and other human foods can all be toxic to dogs. This species of plant contains poisonous glycosides (cardiotoxins) and bufadienolides. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera sp.) We’ve all seen the hilarious videos of pets pulling over christmas trees and ruining lovely displays, but there is a more serious risk of injury in these cases. The Christmas Tree. Excessive cleaning and moving furniture about can disrupt your cat’s important marks of scent around the home, leading to anxiety. These can include loss of balance and … In 2018, the ASPCA received 213,773 calls, almost 20% of which were related to ingestion of over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, cold medications, and herbal supplements. And strings of lights can electrocute pets when they chew on the cords. Christmas Rose. Christmas and New Year are fantastic times for the family, filled with food, drink, presents and more! If you have a cat, which shows an interest in chewing your Christmas cactus and displays any of the above symptoms we recommend you move the plant to an area (or room) your cat can’t access. This is a guide to some of the common hidden hazards. Main signs to look for will be gastrointestinal upset and skin irritation. Winter Holiday poisons to pets are items such as holiday ornaments, snow globes, tinsel, plants, potpourri, alcohol and food are all toxic to dogs and cats. Pets and over-the-counter medications. Check our list of common dangers around your home and garden. This can include many different foods, and decorations that include plants. Christmas poisons – having a safe time with your pets While it can indeed be the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas can also be a hazardous time of year for our pets. by World Pet Travel | Dec 10, 2017 | Blog | 0 comments. Why a free poisoning advice hotline should be on speed dial for all pet owners. Christmas brings lots of new plants, presents and foods into the home — some toxic to cats and dogs. Christmas Poisons To Avoid. When Christmas or English holly is ingested, it can result in severe gastrointestinal upset, thanks to the spiny leaves and potentially toxic substances found in the plant (including saponins, methylxanthines, and cyanogens). Dog Toxins & Poisons; Poinsettias Aren't Poisonous, but There are Plenty of Christmas Dangers for Pets; Poinsettias Aren't Poisonous, but There are Plenty of Christmas Dangers for Pets. Don't let this list put you off anything and I am certainly no kill-joy! 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