Dog and cat owners have to be mindful of pet health hazards year-round, but some sneaky dangers creep up during the holidays. From décor to food, many risks are located right within your own home. To keep your pet safe while still enjoying the festivities, be mindful of the following hazards this season. 

5 Pet Health Risks During the Holidays

1. Candles

While beautiful, candles aren’t the safest choice of décor for homes with pets. Wagging tails, rambunctious puppies, and curious cats can easily knock these over, causing house fires. If you can’t keep them out of your pets’ reach entirely, consider opting for the safer, flameless varieties.

2. Holiday Plants

Most pet owners know to keep their animals away from poinsettias, which can cause vomiting in pets. Yet, holly, mistletoe, and pine needles, however, can be even more dangerous. These plants can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, and posterior weakness, so keep them out of your home if you have pets.

3. Christmas Décor

Glass balls look stunning on the tree, but they’re also extremely tempting to dogs and cats. These fragile ornaments, along with tinsel, present serious pet health risks and can cause severe internal damage. For this reason, it’s best to skip them altogether and put up a gate around your tree to keep it off-limits.

4. Food Items

You probably already know that chocolate can be poisonous to dogs, but there are other holiday food items known as pet health dangers. Fat trimmings from meat can cause issues with your animal’s pancreas, while bones can create intestinal damage. So, skip the table scraps this season.

5. Ribbons & Bows

It may seem cute to adorn your puppy or kitten with bows and ribbons for a holiday picture, but you’re better off skipping it. Anything strung around your pet’s neck can get caught in furniture and cut off oxygen, and bows create choking hazards. Throw away any gift wrap as soon as you’re done opening presents to keep pets safe.

Whether you have a pet health issue this holiday season or your animal is simply due for a routine exam, allow Troy & Wentzville Veterinary Clinic to help. Serving Eastern Missouri, this full-service animal clinic has been providing quality care for more than 60 years, including preventive care and surgery. Browse through their full list of services online or call (636) 528-4534 for their Troy location or (636) 327-6488 for the Wentzville facility.