Keep your pets safe during the holidays Published Nov. 9, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Matthew Jepsen U.S. Army Public Health Command GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The holiday season is upon us, and even though it's a busy time, we need to make sure that we are not ignoring our family pets in the midst of the activities. While some holiday dangers are well known, others may not be so obvious. We all know that the holidays can be very stressful on everyone. Just imagine what your pets may be going through! Parties, noises and visitors in your house are often strange to pets. You can't always keep an eye on them, but be vigilant and aware of the situation. Every year a number of pet owners find themselves in the waiting rooms of local veterinary hospitals or emergency clinics during the holiday season. The good news is that you don't have to be among them if you can prevent the most common holiday hazards for pets: Feeding problems, foreign-body ingestion, accidental poisoning and the dangers of the holiday tree. Feeding problems Your pets know when something special is cooking and they will let you know they are interested. As tempting as it might be to slip them a small piece of ham, a handful of chips with dip, or some slices of pie -- don't! Stop and think about what you are doing. Did you know foods too rich, too spicy, or anything your pets aren't accustomed to can trigger a bout of intestinal upset? For some animals the treat can trigger a serious inflammation of the pancreas or intestine, and result in a life-threatening illness. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, leftover food that has accumulated mold could cause tremors or seizures. Any leftovers you wouldn't eat, your pet should avoid as well. Foods that are rich in flavor, saturated in fat, and that are spicy and sweet should be avoided. Especially chocolate! All types of chocolate can be poisonous to many animals. Reactions range from seizures, hyperactivity, increased thirst, urination, and even death. No one is saying your pet shouldn't enjoy a special holiday meal too, but limiting the kind and amount of special food will ensure that it is a treat instead of trouble. Foreign body ingestion Poultry bones never mix well with pets. The bones are too small and are prone to splinter. A shard from the bone can penetrate the intestine. Should one pierce through the lining, the results can be deadly. While cooked poultry bones are out, some beef bones can be safely substituted. Knuckle bones (for large dogs) and oxtails (for small dogs) stand up to the gnawing and vigor and provide hours of fun. Always supervise your dog's chewing, and throw the bones out after a few hours of attention. The Christmas tree Holiday trees are full of hazards for dogs and cats. Color tinsels are always on the favorite list of play, but if ingested, can twist up the intestines. This is a particular danger to cats and kittens, which seem to find tinsel, yarn, ribbon and string appealing to eat. Ornaments are also deadly in the mouth and stomachs of pets. Even the water at the base of the tree contains secretions that can at the very least cause a stomachache. Lights on the tree and around the house should be monitored closely. Try to supervise your pets while the lights are plugged in, and unplug them before you go to bed. The Christmas tree itself presents a danger and temptation. If you prefer to have a live tree in the house, make sure that you clean up the dried pine needles as pets are inclined to chew on them. The best way to handle the situation is by making the tree off-limits to your pets unless they are supervised and you can keep them out of trouble. Poisoning Besides the Christmas tree, other seasonal plants can be very deadly. Holiday plants such as mistletoe, poinsettias, and holly berries may look intriguing to your pet, but they're also toxic. This does not mean that you should not have them at your house, but keep them out of reach of your pets. The best cure for keeping your pets safe is prevention. Everyone will celebrate the upcoming season differently, so the dangers will vary from house to house. Always be ready and safeguard your family pet. If there are problems this season, have your emergency numbers handy.