Dr. Alexis Newman from BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Elk Grove Village shares the top 10 hazards that pet owners should be aware of over the holidays:
10) Table scraps: Mother was right; don't feed the dog under the table.
9) Candy: There are a number of things about candy that are bad for pets, but among the worst is the wrapper.
8) Decorative injuries: The decorations you set up around the house may look great, but they could be a source of injury for your pets.
7) Tasty decorations: Some decorations are so pretty that they look good enough to eat.
6) Flowers and plants: Many times we put out new plants, flowers or trimmings, depending on the holiday, and these can be poisonous and deadly.
5) Sugar-free snacks: Xylitol is a common artificial sweetener in baked goods and sugar-free gum and candy. It's also poisonous for dogs.
4) Chocolate: Chocolate is a big part of many holiday celebrations, but not for pets.
3) Guests: Many pets can become downright panicked when faced with a lot of new visitors.
2) Candles: A lit candle can provide a real hazard.
1) Pets as presents: The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) advises against giving pets as presents, because the recipient doesn't have the opportunity to have an active role in selecting the animal.
- Additional Resources and Information:
- American Veterinary Medical Association, avma.org Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, chicagovma.org BluePearl Veterinary Partners LLC, bluepearlvet.com
