”Best friends.” Photo by Gary Priester

Fun in the snow! Photo by  L.A. Williams

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Don’t forget about your pet’s safety during the holiday season

—Frances Zeller

There are many preventable things you can do to avoid a holiday pet tragedy.

Something as simple as the lighting on your tree can cause a major health risk to your pet. Is your dog a chewer? If so, cover all the exposed wires and then spray the wires, as well as the lower portion of the tree, with a product called “Bitter Apple.” Bitter Apple can be purchased from any large pet supplier. While not harmful to your pets, it will deter them from chewing wires, ornaments, and the tree.

These days, you can purchase low voltage LED lighting systems from most home stores. This is a much safer lighting system due to the lower voltage requirements. Still, never put your pet at risk. Be watchful—anything electric can cause danger.

When hanging ornaments, don’t hang glass or fragile items low on the tree. Again, Bitter Apple can deter Fido from chewing any sentimental or dangerous decorations. Often antique or ornaments from China can have high doses of dangerous lead. Don’t forget your cats either—they love hanging ornaments. If it’s sentimental, hang it high on the tree.

Also, stay clear of using tinsel, which can also be extremely hazardous to your pet, and remember, candles and wagging tails don’t mix.

The most common holiday pet challenge is plants. Use common sense, and don’t put your dog or cat at risk. Keep plants in a high place, somewhere the dog or cat can’t get to them. The following is a list of some varieties to consider for pet safety:

Poinsettia—may cause irritation to the mouth and stomach, as well as vomiting.

Tulip/Narcissus Bulbs (often gifts this time of year)—may cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, drooling, loss of appetite, diarrhea, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions, and cardiac abnormalities.

Mistletoe—People might like to kiss under it at Christmas, but for pets it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations, and death.

Christmas tree pine needles—may produce oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, trembling, and posterior weakness.

Amaryllis (also known as Belladonna Lilly or “naked ladies“)—may cause an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, appetite loss, abdominal pain, lethargy, tremors, drooling, and even shock or death.

Lilly plants—all types can be deadly to cats.

Don’t forget plenty of foods can also be toxic: cooked bones, raisins, grapes, chocolate, alcohol, Macadamia nuts, and nutmeg can be harmful to your pet. Again, always use common sense.

In case you have an emergency, VCA has a twenty-four-hour emergency clinic. The Emergency Clinic is located at 9901 Montgomery Avenue (east of Eubank) in Albuquerque. If possible, call them first at 292-5353 or 296-2982.

If you feel your pet has ingested a toxic substance, immediately call an animal poison control center, such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Help Line at (800) 213-6680. Your pet’s life may depend upon it.

A very safe and happy holiday to you, your pets, and your family!

Frances Zeller works at the Merc in Placitas. She breeds Saluki hounds and Sphynx cats. She may be reached at (505) 867-8664 for more information.