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 More toxic than poinsettias: top 5 holiday cat hazards

Poinsettias fill homes with color during the holiday and we all hear how they’re life-threatening to pets. In fact, they’re not very toxic. They do contain a milky sap that can irritate the mouth but if signs develop they are usually mild.

There are far more dangerous pet hazards during the holidays, and the emergency veterinarians at VRCC Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital say these are 5 to watch out for this year:

• Decorations: Tinsel, glass ornaments, spray on snow/flocking, foil, plastic wrap/shrink-wrap, Styrofoam peanuts and ribbon can all be life-threatening if eaten by your pet. Whether lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines, these bad actors can cause a plethora of symptoms and may land your pet in the operating room.
• Mistletoe: The plant, and particularly the berries, are extremely toxic to pets. The most severe cases can cause low blood pressure, stumbling and even seizures.
• Christmas tree food and preservatives: Got a real tree this year? Watch out. Veterinarians at VRCC say sugar-based tree preservatives and tree food/water can harbor dangerous bacteria and a thirsty dog or cat may decide to use the tree stand as a drinking bowl.
• Batteries: It may be great to have batteries for that new, cool toy but chewing or swallowing batteries is extremely toxic for pets. Acid burns from chewing and causing a leak in the battery are common, as are cuts from the metal casing. And what about smaller batteries, like AAA, that can easily be gulped down? They can cause internal burns and removal can require surgery.
• Potpourri: The spicy smell can fill the house with a wonderful scent, but a pet can experience irritation and corrosion of the eyes, mouth, throat and esophagus if exposed to the liquid form.

The veterinarians at VRCC sent me some rather dramatic x-ray images of Hank, a cat who swallowed thread that was used for stringing popcorn – with the needle still attached. Click on the images to enlarge.

Luckily, Hank’s case had a good outcome: his internal medicine specialist was able to remove the needle and the string using an endoscope.

Don’t take chances with your cat’s health, or, worse, his life. Keep tinsel, ribbon and thread out of reach to avoid temptation. Never try to pull out a string or object that is protruding from your cat’s mouth. Take your cat to your veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic immediately.

By taking some common sense precautions, you and your feline family members can all enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.

VRCC Specialty and Emergency Hospital is located in Englewood, CO. Some of the world’s leading veterinary specialists work at VRCC in the fields of Neurology/Neurosurgery, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Oncology/Radiation, Surgery, Dermatology/ Allergy, Ophthalmology, and Emergency Care. 

Animal Crackers Pet Food Bank

Open Saturday February 18th 9am - 11am

Our location is just down the road from Davenport Honda at 586 English Road.

Too busy to stop at the store to donate pet food?  Click on the PayPal icon below and write under "Special Instructions to the Seller" your donation is for the Pet Food Bank.