Pet Care Tips
Antifreeze
Even a very small amount of antifreeze can be fatal. Precautions are necessary with all antifreeze products on the market. Read labels and warnings carefully. Thoroughly clean up spills at once. Keep containers closed tightly and store them where pets cannot get to them.
Food
Staying warm requires extra calories, so feed your pet accordingly when the temperature drops. Talk to your veterinarian for advice on feeding your pet.
Frostbite
Remove ice and snow from your pet's paws and coat at once. Frostbitten skin may turn reddish, white or gray, and it may be scaly or sloughing. If you suspect frostbite, take your pet to a warm place immediately. Thaw out frostbitten areas slowly be applying warm, moist towels that are changed frequently. Continue until the affected areas become flushed. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible; he/she will probably want to evaluate the seriousness of the condition.
Gifts and Miscellaneous Items
- Button Battery (disk battery)Caustic, potentially high toxicity depending upon the position of the battery in gastrointestinal tract
- Aftershave Lotion, Colognes, Perfumes
- Alcoholic Beverages, Ethanol in various concentrations is moderately toxic depending upon the amount ingested; the high concentration of essential oils in true perfumes are especially toxic
- Plastic Model Cement moderate toxicity
- Adhesives, Super Glue low toxicity, most difficulty occurs when eyelids become bonded together
- Artists' Supplies(crayons, felt tip markers, pencils, water-based paints): Low toxicity; however, may cause more than a mild mucous membrane and gastrointestinal irritation
- Petroleum-based Paints low toxicity; primary concern is possibility of aspiration
- Toys avoid toys with parts small enough to be pulled off and swallowed and toys painted with toxic materials, etc.
Heart worm Disease
This mosquito-transmitted disease can be fatal to your dog. In areas that have a year-round mosquito problem it is recommended that dogs be kept on a heart worm preventive program throughout the year. After having your dog tested for heart worm by your veterinarian, ask about heart worm preventatives, available in chewable or pill form and given daily or monthly.
Holiday Decoration
- Bubbling Lights moderate to lethal toxicity, depending on the amount of fluid (methylene chloride) inhaled or ingested
- Angel Hair (spun glass): low toxicity; can cause irritation of the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal tract
- Fireplace colors (fire salts): moderate toxicity; symptoms are gastrointestinal irritation with vomiting and a variety of other manifestations, including convulsions
- Snow Sprays and Snow Flock low toxicity, dry particles are inert; however, toxicity from inhalation can occur if sprayed directly in mouth
- Styrofoam low toxicity; can cause choking from mechanical obstructions
- Christmas Tree Ornaments non-toxic, however intestinal obstruction and choking are potential problems
- Snow Scenes toxicity may come from organisms possibly in the water, most notably Salmonella
- Icicles (tinsel) non-toxic, however intestinal obstruction and choking are potential problems
Housing
Be sure to provide proper shelter for your pets. If yours is an indoor pet, his/her bed or crate should be kept in a warm, draft-free area, preferably elevated slightly off the floor. If your pet is kept outdoors, provide a warm insulated pet house or shelter. the house should be elevated enough so that moisture cannot accumulate inside. If possible, provide a "door" (perhaps of canvas) to keep out the winter winds. If your pet is in a pen, you might block the wind and weather with bales of straw and stretch canvas over the top of the pen. If the wind chill or other weather conditions become severe, bring your pet inside.
Napping Cats
Cats sometimes climb onto vehicle engines for warmth. Before starting your vehicle, knock on the hood and honk the horn. Even if your own cat does not have access to your vehicle, a neighbor's cat might have taken shelter there.
Plants
- Mistletoe very toxic, all parts, especially the berries
- Holly moderate to very toxic, especially the berries and leaves
- Poinsettia leaves and stems low in toxicity
- Christmas Greens(i.e., Balsam, Juniper, Cedar, Pine, & Fir): All parts of these plants have a low level of toxicity
- Hibiscus may cause vomiting or bloody diarrhea if ingested
Snow Removal Salt
Some substances produced to melt ice and snow have low to moderate toxicity, depending on the ingredients and amount ingested. Read the labels and take necessary precautions. Keep these products stored in tight containers out of your pet's and children's reach and be sure to remove salt from your pet's paws immediately.
Special Holiday Tips
The holidays can create special dangers for your pets. Here are a few tips to help keep your pets safe during this special time of year.
- Increased activity and visitors during the holiday season can upset your pet's routine. Try to keep your pet on his/her regular schedule for feeding and exercise and be sure he/she gets plenty of love.
- If you are planning to take your pet with you when visiting friends and relatives during the holiday season, be sure to contact them in advance to find out if your pet is welcome.
- Alcoholic beverages, holiday treats such as chocolates, rich, fatty food scraps and bones can be harmful or toxic to pets. Keep your pet on his regular diet and caution visitor against giving your pet special "treats".
- Never put ribbons or yarn around your pet's neck and do not allow your pet to play with plastic or foil wrappings or plastic six-pack beverage holders.
- Cover or tack down electric cords.
Water
Always have fresh, clean water available for your pet. If your pet id kept outdoors, be sure to check his/her water frequently since it may freeze.
Some to the information is from the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC), a non-profit, cost-recovery program at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois in Urbana, IL 61801. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, you should call your veterinarian or you can call the NAPCC. This is not a free call. Telephone numbers for the NAPCC are: 1-800-548-2423 ($30 per case, credit card only; free follow-up class until problem is resolved) 1-900-680-000 ($20 for 5 minutes, $2.95 per minute thereafter).
Special thanks to Purina Company for the remainder of the above information.
