The holidays are coming up, Christmas, Hanukah, these are cheerful seasons for us humans but can be dangerous, even deadly for our animals.

Christmas trees - secure tree with a strong rope to the wall and/or ceiling. A heavy dog that leans on the tree or a cat that climbs on it might topple the tree over. If you have cats that like to climb make sure they stay away from the tree. Spray part of your tree slightly with Grannick’s Bitter Apple® Spray. Neither cats nor dogs like the taste of it.

Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet’s intestines. Clean and vacuum daily or twice daily around your tree and your wreath.

Drinking water form the Christmas tree base will most likely cause diarrhea, vomiting and mouth sores. Cover your tree base tightly with a tree skirt.

Be careful with your Christmas tree lights/cords. They can be fatal if chewed by either cats, or dogs. Try to keep them out of reach or cover them up.

Tree ornaments, or other ornaments are a big danger for your pets. Most of them are breakable and if swallowed can cause serious or fatal digestive problems. Make sure your ornaments are secured properly to your tree so they don’t fall off. Also the hooks, angel hair, icicles, tinsels and ribbons should be kept out of a pet’s reach. When ingested by a dog (or cat), tinsel may cause digestive obstructions, and the tinsel’s sharp edges can even cut the intestines. Symptoms may include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness and weight loss. Treatment usually requires surgery.

Chocolate: Do not give your dogs or cats access to chocolate. Just a tiny bite can be fatal for your animals.
(See also Pets and Poisons). The caffeine-like substance theobromine can cause heart failure and seizures.

Candy: Better not. Sugar is not dangerous, but dogs will either suffer from stomachaches or become really hyper. Sugar candy is NOT part of a dog’s diet!

Plants: Vomiting, crying, depression, and muscle twitching are signs of plant poisoning.
See out article about Poisonous Houseplants . Almost every berry plant is poisonous for your animal. Please pay special attention that the Poinsettia, a typical Holiday plant, is very toxic for your animals.

Aluminum Foil: can cut a dog’s intestines, causing internal bleeding, and in some cases, even death.

Plastic Food Wraps: can cause choking or intestinal obstruction. Some dogs will eat the plastic wrapping when there are food remnants left coating its surface.

Alcohol: Don’t give your dog alcohol or alcohol containing treats, leftovers, etc. Not only during the holidays - NEVER! Alcohol will cause liver damage and can lead to heart failure. A medium sized dog of about 35 lbs. would already be considered “drunk” from 2 tablespoons of whisky. The same amount would kill a cat; just a tiny amount will kill your puppies and kittens.

Bones: Especially poultry bones will splitter when chewed by dogs. These splitters can cause serious damage to the digestive tract. Bones from steak, veal, pork, turkey or chicken, as well as ribs, can be hazardous to your dog and are not recommended. Avoid fatty foods or table scraps, they may cause vomiting and diarrhea.