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- Pet hospitals see increased visits during the holidays due to food-related issues.
- Common problems include chocolate toxicity, pancreatitis and respiratory issues from alcohol.
- Owners should prevent pets from accessing harmful foods and decorations.
SALT LAKE CITY — The hanging of mistletoe and the smell of a honey-baked ham wafting through the house are not only sure signs of holiday celebrations but potential emergency room visits for cats, dogs and other pets.
The last 10 days of the calendar year are typically the busiest stretch for pet hospitals and local veterinarians.
You see, for human beings, getting together for a Christmas party typically means food and lots of it. Unfortunately, pups, cats, bunnies and other pets get ahold of this food from the counter, floor and other places, which can lead to dire consequences.
"I think for many of us, if we think about coming together with people that we love, it's often around food. It's a way of showing love," said a Emily Tincher, chief veterinary officer for Nationwide Pet Insurance. "We want to show our love to our pets in the same way that we show our love to the people that love us.
"We do have to purposely remember that the things that are healthy for us may not be the same things that are healthy for them," she said.
Each year during the Christmas to New Year's Day period, pet emergency rooms and veterinarians see an increased number of pet patients for gastrointestinal issues from eating chocolate — which accounts for 19% of pet hospital visits; pancreatitis caused by pets ingesting fatty foods, which can cause a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas; and respiratory problems from accidentally drinking alcohol.
Guests, including siblings and parents, are often to blame for pets ingesting foods and drinks not intended or safe for them.
It is a common habit for pets, especially dogs, to make their appearance at the dinner table when it is time to beg for food. The begging can have a heightened effect on parents, grandparents and the older crowd who may have grown up feeding their own dogs leftovers from the kitchen table.
Hosts and hostesses need to stop this from happening, including items that may seem "healthy," such as grapes, which can lead to kidney failure in dogs; and anything with onions, garlic and chives, which can cause anemia in dogs and cats; and contrary to what years of childhood cartoons have shown us, bones and dark meat.
Tincher suggests telling guests that a pet might have a sensitive stomach and that if they would like to give the pet some food, talk to you first. This imprints upon the guests' minds that, if they do feed them, they may have to deal with physical issues that no one is excited about during Christmas week.
A trip to the emergency room for any human is a pricey endeavor. The same is true with pets. It typically costs more than $800 this time of year to deal with chocolate toxicity, and pancreatitis from your dog eating a grape can cost $1,400 and more.
While it is important to keep your pets away from various foods — and stick to their own pet food and treats — do not forget about the decorations, which can cause electrocutions from cats chewing on wires from tree lights, to any pet having other gastrointestinal issues from munching on some mistletoe or any real and plastic greenery.
Use the holiday time to play with your pets, take time to introduce pets to potential visitors to prevent fights, bites and more visits to the veterinarian.
No one wants to spend Christmas Day in the emergency room — humans or pets.
"It's a quick 'make sure things are out of sight,'" Tincher said. "Just a quick check, and we can enjoy all of our candy and our fudge from Mom."
Festive foods to avoid
In addition to chocolate, fatty foods and alcohol, keep pets away from the following:
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Grapes and raisins
- Spices — particularly nutmeg, cloves, allspice, onion and garlic powder and paprika
- Xylitol (found in sugar-free items)
- Bones and corn cobs
Fun foods to offer
Foods pets can enjoy include:
- Pumpkin (puree, not pie filling): Mix a spoonful into their food bowl or bake it into a pet-safe cookie recipe.
- Apple: Packed with fiber and vitamins A and C, apples can be sliced or diced into the food bowl.
- Carrots: Raw or cooked carrots are good for pets' teeth and are packed with beta-carotene and fiber.
- Green beans: These fiber-rich veggies can be steamed or raw.
- White-meat turkey: Plain, cooked, unseasoned turkey breast can be a protein-packed treat for pets.
Credit: Nationwide Pet Insurance
