Published in the November 27, 2013 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay

Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay

Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay

Although the holiday season brings great joy to many of us, it can also be hazardous, and even deadly, to our pets. Many of the common holiday items you bring out each December are enticing to your pets. Every year we see many pets come through our doors with problems related to the holiday season.

Table scraps: All the delicious holiday food you prepare can make your pet very sick, even in small quantities. The single most common problem we see the day after any celebrated holiday is gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and small intestines, which is usually related to eating something that they are not used to (such as table scraps from a holiday meal) or foods that are high in fat. Although this can often be treated with a special diet and medications, it can be very serious and life-threatening.

As tempting as it is to sneak Fluffy a nice slice of that holiday ham, try to resist. Instead, offer a small amount of chicken or turkey breast (without gravy, skin or bones). Keep in mind that a portion size for your 10 pound Fluffy is much less than what you would eat yourself.

Bones: Refrain from giving your pet bones of any sort. Although dogs love chewing on the bones, they can often cause vomiting, diarrhea or pancreatitis. They can also swallow pieces that are too large to pass through, leaving them lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines and often requiring surgical removal.

Chocolate: Make sure to keep chocolate treats and baking supplies out of reach. Chocolate, especially dark and baking chocolate, is toxic to dogs. They love the taste of it and will often finish everything in their reach. Depending on the size of the dog and type/amount of chocolate ingested, this can be a medical emergency. Whether it is baking chocolate, candy or brownies, if you discover your pet has ingested chocolate call your veterinarian right away. There is a small window of time to get the chocolate out of their system before it is absorbed.

Electrical cords: With the holiday decorations come extra electrical cords that your pet is not accustomed to seeing in their home. They may want to inspect the new item, usually with their teeth. Electrical cords can result in electrocution, leading to lung damage and sometimes death. Keep electrical cords out of reach whenever possible or cover them to reduce their visibility.

Ornaments and tinsel: A decorated Christmas tree is an inviting toy box for many cats and dogs. Sparkly, textured and colorful ornaments/tinsel are often irresistible. However, they can easily become accidentally ingested during play. Watch your pet closely when putting up holiday decorations, make sure enticing ornaments are out of reach or place a gate around the tree to prevent your pet from playing with decorations.

Toxic plants: Mistletoe and Poinsettias are both toxic and should be kept out of reach from your pets.

Wishing you and your pet a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay received her undergraduate degrees in Biology, Biochemistry and Spanish from the College of Notre Dame in Belmont. She then graduated from U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 with an emphasis in Mixed Animal Medicine. Raised in the Bay Area, she returned to continue practicing both large and small animal medicine. Outside of the profession, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children. She also enjoys running, cycling and plans to return to her equestrian pastime in the near future.