In this issue, we dive into the potential dangers posed to your pet by the upcoming fall and winter holidays, along with preventative care information regarding seasonal pests!
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Patriot’s Pet Chronicle - Volume 1, Issue 1-October 2024 - holiday hazards - common pests heat up as weather cools (page 2) By Mackenzie Howell (Mackenzie Howell has worked in the pet care arena for half a decade, with a special interest in pet nutrition and enrichment. She serves PPC as business support, and when not maintaining her pet “zoo,” Ms. Howell loves spending time with her family, reading a good mystery novel, or cooking up something delicious!) (PAGE 1) As we welcome cool breezes and crunchy leaves during the changing of seasons, we also welcome a fresh batch of holidays and celebrations into our lives and the lives of our pets. It’s crucial to keep an eye out for holiday hazards scattered among beloved festivities! Festive Foods - Holiday celebrations are often accompanied by troves of delicious foods and drinks! One of the spookiest risks Halloween poses to your pet is the abundance of chocolate and candy, which few (including your pet) can resist. Although delicious, these sweets are not appropriate for your pet and can be highly toxic to them if ingested. Most hard candies also contain xylitol, which can also cause illness if ingested. Be sure also to avoid allowing your pet to consume alcohol during any holiday parties or celebrations, as it can be highly toxic for them, even in small doses. Like with humans, alcohol can negatively affect a dog’s nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems, and should be monitored. No Thanksgiving celebration is complete without the delicious turkey, full to the brim with onion and bread stuffing! This holiday staple can be incredibly dangerous for your pet. Not only are alliums, like onions and garlic, highly toxic to dogs, but bones can also be a masked threat. The primary risk when feeding dogs animal bones occurs when bones are cooked prior to feeding. Because these bones can fragment, they have the potential to cause choking and oral or internal injuries. They can also become a choking hazard, as they can obstruct the airways or intestines.
While chestnuts may be roasting on an open fire during your Christmas celebration this year, make sure that you keep them out of your dog’s range! Although there are several safe nuts for pets, many varieties of nuts can endanger your pet’s health and life. Macadamia nuts are extremely poisonous to dogs and pose some of the highest risk, but walnuts, pistachios, pecans, and some types of chestnuts can also cause health issues, even in small quantities. Keep a close eye on your pet to prevent illness or injury during this hectic season, and always keep dangerous foods out of your pet’s reach.
Despite a well-meaning pet parent’s best effort, accidents can always happen. Be prepared for an emergency by keeping your pet’s veterinary information easily accessible, along with contact information for an emergency veterinarian who may be working holiday hours. The ASPCA offers an Animal Poison Control Center which is available 24/7 in case of emergency, which you can reach at (888)426-4435. (PAGE 2) Decorations and Gifts - Decorations and gifts can also pose a major risk to your pet. The most obvious threat is the potential for your furry companion to sniff out an ingest a foreign or toxic object. This is made even easier for your pet by the chaos and merriment of the holidays, so be sure to keep an eye on your them during these times. Be sure to pay special attention to your pet’s surroundings when festive fires, such as a lit Hanukkah menorah, are within range of your dog. One swish of a furry tail can wreak havoc and start a blaze in a matter of seconds.
There are also many varieties of flowers commonly used in holiday decorating and gift-giving which can be highly toxic to dogs. Poinsettia, holly, lilies, tulips, and ivy are just a small sampling of these flowers. If in doubt, be sure to keep potentially toxic plants out of your pet’s reach, or utilize them in a safe setting, such as in your office. Pollen from flowering species can also cause health issues to your pet if inhaled.
Decorations for any holiday may be visually beautiful and celebratory, but can be hazardous for your pet if accidentally consumed. Foil banners, plastic toys, and silly string can put a serious damper on your New Years Celebrations and cause serious issues if ingested. Similarly, tinsel, garland, and ribbon can cause major blockages in your pets gastrointestinal tract. Even balloons, in the wrong paws, can be dangerous to your pet, resulting in potential injury.
If you are concerned about any item in your home posing a detriment to your pet during the holiday season: remove it from the space. It is always better safe than sorry, and your pet will thank you later! Preventative Care - Many pet parents regard the cooler months with a sigh of relief, excited that pest season is over... but the truth is that many pest insects double-down on their parasitic efforts during the fall and winter, seeking a warm, furry shelter to reside in.
Be sure to stock up on your favorite flea and tick preventative before you need it, and don’t skimp on your dog’s heartworm medication just because the mosquitos are (finally) not buzzing around. Your pet relies on you to promote their defense against parasites, and this defense should only be strengthened during the cooler months.
It’s important to remember that your pet’s topical flea and tick treatments won’t be effective if you apply them immediately after a grooming session-- these products require your dog’s natural oils to function. Rather than wasting your medication, simply wait a few days before applying, or use an oral medication instead.
Preventing uninvited residents in your warm home this fall and winter is imperative for the health of you and your pet! Consult your veterinarian to create a plan for pest prevention. YOUR PET HERE! - Do you want your pet to be featured here? Enroll them in any program at Patriot’s Pet Care and let their personality, attitude, and, quirks shine!
Patriot’s Pet Care pet attendants will choose a pet each month to be featured on the corresponding issue of Patriot’s Pet Chronicle!
While we can’t feature every pet on the chronicle, we do feature tons of PPC pets on our website and social media, so be sure to check regularly!
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