Homes may be full of Christmas this year, but when the tinsel goes up and the festive chocolates and mints come out, it can pose a danger to your pet.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a list of eight items on Friday that add a festive touch and could be harmful to your cat or dog.
These include dog treats that pets can eat too quickly, causing digestive problems, empty chip bags that pets can choke on, and cigarette butts that can cause nicotine poisoning.
At some veterinary centers, emergency vet visits increase by more than 300 percent during the holidays due to accidents involving holiday treats or decorations.
The chart above shows the eight holiday risks for pets that the FDA has warned about this season
Pet treats can cause choking
The FDA has warned that while it may be fun to give your dog a treat this Christmas, it may pose a risk to the pet.
Some dogs can get so excited that they eat the treat too quickly, causing it to get stuck in their throat and choke them.
If the treat was a bone, there was also the risk of it getting stuck in the intestines.
The FDA warned: “Seriously [throat] Constipation, all of which are life-threatening, is common, especially on holidays.
“When you see your panic [dog] He’s drooling and munching, he urgently needs a vet visit!’
Statistics indicate that more than 200,000 pet choking incidents are recorded in the United States each year. There are no death toll figures available.
To protect your pet from this, the FDA recommends breaking treats into small pieces before giving them to pets – to prevent them from being eaten too quickly.
Tinsel or ribbons
Tinsel, ribbons and string are an important part of the holiday; They are used to make the house more festive and to wrap presents securely.
Dogs and cats often play with it, attracted by the bright, sparkling colors.
However, the FDA warns that there is a risk of pets ingesting the decorations and exposing themselves to life-threatening complications.
In some cases, the cords and bands can become tangled in the stomach and cause an infection.
It may take several hours or days for warning signs to appear that a pet has swallowed tinsel or string. It can also include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and decreased activity.
People who are concerned that their pets have swallowed decorations should contact a veterinarian who can perform scans.
To protect pets, the FDA recommended not putting tinsel on the Christmas tree and collecting all ribbons and strings after opening presents.
Salt decorations can poison pets
It can look great to hang a salt ornament that your children made at school on the Christmas tree.
However, the FDA warns that pets can grab these decorations and eat them whole when adults aren’t looking, which can lead to salt poisoning.
A salt garnish typically contains 48 teaspoons of salt, which is 96 times more than a 10-pound pet such as a cat can safely eat.
In the early stages of salt poisoning, pets may experience salivation, vomiting and diarrhea.
In later stages, poisoning can cause uncoordinated walking, frequent urination, dehydration, increased thirst, seizures, coma and death.
Consuming too much salt disrupts the balance of nutrients in the body – which can cause water to drain from cells, including the brain, causing the organ to become inflamed and swollen.
The FDA said pets should seek urgent veterinary care in cases where they consume salt ornaments.
To reduce the risk, they recommend keeping salt decorations away from pets.
These festive plants can poison your pets
Although poinsettias, mistletoe and holly make wonderful festive additions to your home, the FDA warns that they can poison your pets.
The agency said: “Please consider your furry family members when displaying or disposing of your Christmas plants.”
For poinsettias, the FDA said they contain toxins in their leaves — which is also responsible for their bright, vibrant color.
If a dog or cat chews on the leaves or stems, they may experience salivation and diarrhea. You may also suffer from an unstable stomach.
Mistletoe also contains a toxin in its leaves and stems – lectins and foratoxins.
If an animal eats a small amount, it may experience vomiting, diarrhea and difficulty breathing. However, if they ingest large amounts, the venom can cause a slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which can be fatal.
Holly leaves themselves are not deadly, but the plant also has bright red berries with a poison called saponins.
It can also cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and decreased activity when ingested.
The FDA said, “If you suspect your pet has eaten any of the three plants listed above, it’s a good idea to call your veterinarian.
“They can give you advice on what you can do at home to make your pet more comfortable and help you decide if your pet needs medical treatment.”
Table waste can cause choking
Leftover turkey, Brussels sprouts, and mashed potatoes can be just as delicious to your dog or cat as they are to you, even if they end up in the trash.
However, the agency warns that pet consumption of this leftover can cause an unexpected trip to the vet.
Pieces of bone can get stuck in your pet’s throat and cause suffocation or suffocation. Sharp pieces can also cause injuries to the mouth, throat and stomach – or puncture the intestines.
The FDA said, “Stand firm while eating and resist the urge to feed your dog or cat leftovers.”
“Remember: When the meal is ready, throw the leftovers and bones somewhere they won’t go.”
Chocolate and peppermint candy
Chocolate and mint are common festive treats this time of year. However, the agency warns against pets eating them.
Chocolate treats can contain theobromine, which is toxic to dogs in small amounts and fatal to a medium-sized dog at just two grams.
Dogs are unable to break down the venom as quickly as humans, making them more sensitive to its effects – including heart problems, blood vessel dilation and smooth muscle relaxation.
Symptoms of a dog suffering from this include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, hyperactivity, increased urination and seizures.
Peppermint candies also pose a risk because they contain the sweetener xylitol. When dogs eat it, their bodies release a lot of insulin – but if no sugar gets into the bloodstream, blood sugar levels drop sharply.
Symptoms appear in as little as 20 minutes and include vomiting, weakness, dizziness and decreased activity.
The FDA says in this case it is best to consult a veterinarian immediately.
To prevent this, sweet treats should be kept out of the reach of pets.
Bags of chips can cause suffocation
The authorities warn that empty chip bags also pose a danger to pets during the Christmas period.
Pets feel the tasty treats that were in the bags, stick their heads in to lick up the remaining pieces.
However, in some cases the bags can get caught on the head and pose a risk of suffocation.
To prevent this, the FDA requires ensuring that all bags are properly disposed of after use and not left for pet use.
Cigarette butts can cause nicotine poisoning
There is also an increased risk of pets consuming cigarette butts during the Christmas season.
This can happen because someone has a visitor in the house who smokes when normally no one in the house smokes.
Dogs can eat leftover cigarette butts and then experience toxic effects due to the nicotine they contain.
These include agitation for tremors, drooling, vomiting and diarrhea caused by the medication.
Even at low doses, seizures, decreased activity, slow breathing, slow heart rate or death can occur.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
