Christmas Tips For You and Your Pets

Christmas is great time for friends, family, and your pets. The tips below will help you keep your pets happy and healthy during this Christams season. Click the read more link to hear all of our holiday tips!


Unfortunately, many of the plants we have in our homes during the holidays can be poisonous to pets. If ingested, holly (leaves and berries) causes stomach upset and can be potentially fatal to both dogs and cats. Mistletoe upsets stomachs and can cause heart collapse, while hibiscus may cause diarrhea. Poinsettias have an irritating sap that can cause blistering in the mouth and stomach upset.


Christmas Trees: Tinsel's shininess is attractive. When eaten, it can cause blockages, which often require surgery to remove. Leave it off the tree altogether. Dogs will often play with glass ornaments as if they were balls and serious oral lacerations can result. Place ornaments that are shiny, or could be swallowed o...r broken high up on your tree. Larger, less intriguing ornaments can go near the bottom.



Decoration and Wrappings: Ribbons, yarn, and string can cause intestinal obstruction and bunching of the intestine along the length of the string. These conditions require surgery and can be fatal. Ribbons around your dog's neck may be cute, but they can also be dangerous.

Potpourri contains oils that can be toxic to dogs if eaten. We may not think of eating it, but some curious pets may.

Candles can cause burns and fires. Never leave lighted candles unattended or within reach of your pet.



Food: Chocolate, coffee, and tea all contain dangerous components called xanthines, which cause nervous system or urinary system damage and heart muscle stimulation. Chocolate, with theobromine, is especially a problem because dogs love its flavor. Problems from ingestion range from diarrhea to seizures and death. Unsweetened baking chocolate and dark chocolate are the worst culprits, but all chocolate, fudge, and other candy should be placed out of your dog's reach.

Macadamia nuts contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscles of dogs.

Remember, dogs have an exceptional sense of smell – juices on plastic or aluminum foil left on counter tops are very tempting. If ingested, plastic or foil wrap (cellophane candy wrappers or food wrap) can cause choking or intestinal obstruction.