From Southwood Valley Animal Hospital

Howdy! With the holidays fast approaching, we at Southwood Valley Animal Hospital would like to give you some tips and pointers on what is safe and what to avoid for your furry family members!



1. Foods to avoid:

Poultry bones: although we recommend avoiding all bones as they have the potential to damage teeth and cause obstructions within the gastrointestinal tract, we especially recommend avoiding poultry bones. These bones are hollow and when cooked can splinter very easily. These bones can not only cause blockages, but can also puncture the intestines and cause further damage that requires emergency surgery.

Fatty Foods: the skin of the turkey is the fattest part of the bird and therefore is the part that we recommend not feeding your dogs and cats. Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis which in some cases can require hospitalization to treat. One source of fat that we don't often think of is nuts such as walnuts, almonds and pecans!

Chocolate/caffeine: Dogs and cats have a sweet tooth and an amazing nose to find these treats! Make sure they are out of reach of them during the holiday season as these treats can cause extreme toxicities! If your pet has ingested chocolate, it is important to know what kind of chocolate and how much they consumed. For an immediate response on whether to see a veterinarian immediately, we recommend contacting the ASPCA Pet Poison Hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Onions and Garlic: These popular items are potential causes for GI irritation and can also lead to destruction of red blood cells causing anemia. This is especially true for our cats, but dogs can be affected as well.

Raisins/grapes: raisins are commonly an ingredient in stuffing! Don't forget that even though these are cooked, they still are toxic and can lead to renal failure!

Sugar free treats: most sugar free items include a sugar substitute known as xylitol. This ingredient can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and liver failure.

2. So what can my pet have as a treat during the holidays?

Although we recommend only feeding these items in moderations, there are some healthy alternatives that still are a "treat" for your cats and dogs!

White meat turkey: remember to remove the skin!

Fruits such as bananas or apples

Pumpkin puree

Vegetables such as carrots, green beans, peas and broccoli (no seasoning)

3. Other holiday items to keep away from your pets:

Holiday plants such as poinsettias, holly, mistletoe and lilies: all of these plants have the potential to cause GI irritation and some are even toxic! Make sure these are in areas where your furry friends cannot get to!

Christmas Trees: Although all animals are naturally curious about the tree, cats are especially interested in them. Cats tend to want to climb up the trees which can lead to harm of not only to your family ornaments, but also themselves! Furthermore if you use a real tree, make sure they don't drink the water at the base of the trunk as there are typically fertilizers involved that could be toxic. We also recommend using either shatterproof ornaments or special hooks that keep them from falling in case your cat decides to take a climb up the tree!

Tinsel, String or ribbons: cats love anything that resembles a string and are likely to try and ingest these items! This can lead to what is called a linear foreign body and require emergency surgery.

Electrical cords: With the holidays come lots of lights and other things we plug in! Make sure your cords are tucked away where pets cannot reach them or consider covering them in something like "critter cord" to deter them from chewing on these dangerous items!

Houseguests: Now we do not want you to avoid houseguests during the holidays! But we do recommend that you warn them, especially children, to avoid feeding your pets things they are not supposed to eat. Also be aware of your pets personality and if houseguests stress your pet, plan accordingly to obtain anxiety medications from your veterinarian to give.

Antifreeze: Although it does not often get to extreme cold temperatures in Texas, there are still some situations in which antifreeze is used. Make sure any spills or containers are away from where pets can reach it as it can lead to renal failure if ingested!

Fireworks: New Years comes quickly after Thanksgiving and Christmas! Make sure if your dog or cat does not handle the fireworks well, that you get proper medication to reduce their anxiety during firework season! Make sure to call your vet with plenty of time prior to expected fireworks so that they can have time to fill the proper medication. It is likely that if you wait until New Year's Eve to call they will not get you your medications in time!

[/ol][/ol]We hope that these tips and pointers will help keep your pets safe during the holiday season. On behalf of Southwood Valley Animal Hospital, we would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year! Please let us know if you have any questions or if there are any items that you are unsure if they are safe for your pets! We would love the opportunity to serve you and your family!


Thanks and Gig'em!
Justin 'Casares, DVM '15 and Lauren Casares '14
https://southwoodvalleyvet.com/
(979) 693-9898