The Dangers of Christmas
There are only a few days left until Christmas, slowly the decoration is set up and everyone is looking forward to a nice time.
Sometimes this relaxed time can be suddenly interrupted by troubles with your pets as unfortunately, some of our traditions around Christmas can be dangerous for them.
Here a list of the most common threats:
Common Christmas plants causing poisoning:
Christmas Rose, Holly and Mistletoe:
poisonous to cats and dogs
symptoms: excessive drooling, lethargy, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, hallucinations (noted as unusual behaviour), if big amounts are digested, they can lead to seizures and even death.
The Christmas Tree:
The Christmas tree is only slightly poisonous as such but sometimes, the oils produced by the tree can lead to irritations of your pet’s mouth and stomach and so lead to drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. The needles itself – if excessively ingested – can mechanically cause gastrointestinal irritation, punctures and obstruction.
Another danger considering the tree can be the water used to nourish it – it can contain bacteria, molds, fertilizers, etc. Only little amounts of it can lead to severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
Dangerous Christmas Food:
Raisins (grapes):
If bigger amounts are taken in, they can not only lead to intestinal problems but also kidney failure and so death. As the toxin is more concentrated in raisins, they are a lot worse than grapes if eaten.
Symptomes: vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drinking, anorexia (not eating), lethargy
Chocolate:
Dogs cannot metabolize a substance that is contained in cacao. Therefore, chocolate, especially the one with higher contents of cacao, can be dangerous for dogs.
Symptoms: intestinal (vomiting and diarrhoea), if bigger amounts are taken in, neurological symptoms (disorientation, seizures, coma, death)
Other dangers can be decorations that are swallowed and can cause for example severe mechanical constipation and puncture wounds.
If your pet shows any of the symptoms mentioned above, please contact your vet immediately! Ideally, try to find out what and how much of it your dog or cat ate and how long ago.
Even better: Keep none of the poisonous plants in your house or if you do, out of your pet’s reach. And don’t leave your cat or dog alone in a room with Christmas decoration or sweets. Like that, you save yourself and your pet a relaxed and enjoyable Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all of you and your pets and a Happy New Year!
There are only a few days left until Christmas, slowly the decoration is set up and everyone is looking forward to a nice time.
Sometimes this relaxed time can be suddenly interrupted by troubles with your pets as unfortunately, some of our traditions around Christmas can be dangerous for them.
Here a list of the most common threats:
Common Christmas plants causing poisoning:
Christmas Rose, Holly and Mistletoe:
poisonous to cats and dogs
symptoms: excessive drooling, lethargy, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, hallucinations (noted as unusual behaviour), if big amounts are digested, they can lead to seizures and even death.
The Christmas Tree:
The Christmas tree is only slightly poisonous as such but sometimes, the oils produced by the tree can lead to irritations of your pet’s mouth and stomach and so lead to drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. The needles itself – if excessively ingested – can mechanically cause gastrointestinal irritation, punctures and obstruction.
Another danger considering the tree can be the water used to nourish it – it can contain bacteria, molds, fertilizers, etc. Only little amounts of it can lead to severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
Dangerous Christmas Food:
Raisins (grapes):
If bigger amounts are taken in, they can not only lead to intestinal problems but also kidney failure and so death. As the toxin is more concentrated in raisins, they are a lot worse than grapes if eaten.
Symptomes: vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drinking, anorexia (not eating), lethargy
Chocolate:
Dogs cannot metabolize a substance that is contained in cacao. Therefore, chocolate, especially the one with higher contents of cacao, can be dangerous for dogs.
Symptoms: intestinal (vomiting and diarrhoea), if bigger amounts are taken in, neurological symptoms (disorientation, seizures, coma, death)
Other dangers can be decorations that are swallowed and can cause for example severe mechanical constipation and puncture wounds.
If your pet shows any of the symptoms mentioned above, please contact your vet immediately! Ideally, try to find out what and how much of it your dog or cat ate and how long ago.
Even better: Keep none of the poisonous plants in your house or if you do, out of your pet’s reach. And don’t leave your cat or dog alone in a room with Christmas decoration or sweets. Like that, you save yourself and your pet a relaxed and enjoyable Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all of you and your pets and a Happy New Year!
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