Resist the urge to feed pets from table
Be careful what you feed your pets this holiday season.
Veterinarians urge pet owners to ignore the large, imploring eyes your dog or cat may turn on you when family and friends are gathered around the table indulging in a large meal because a lot of food typically found on Thanksgiving or Christmas menus can be harmful to your furry friends.
So, refrain from slipping them a bite or two.
Dr. Trey Wofford with Palmetto Vet Calls Inc. said he draws a hard line when it comes to feeding pets table scraps.
"The bottom line is, they don't need it," he said. "Give them an extra treat (those made specifically for animals) if you need to."
The truth is, a human's digestive system can handle rich, fatty foods like ham, mashed potatoes, yams and stuffing.
But, a dog's and cat's digestive system is not accustomed to producing the amount of enzymes needed to break down those fats and oils and it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis and abdominal pain.
"A dog eats simply to satisfy its appetite," said Dr. Holly Woltz with Aiken Veterinary Services. "A dog doesn't savor like we do. A dog eats dog food, not any type of human food."
And, give that old phrase "give a dog a bone" the heave-ho.
"Definitely no bones like turkey bones or ham bones," Wofford said. "Bones can splinter and cause damage in the upper and lower digestive tract."
Chocolate is not good for pets, either. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which can be toxic to a dog, depending upon the type of chocolate (the darker the chocolate, the more harmful) and your pet's weight. Animal ingestion of chocolate can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination and muscle tremors.
Other food no-no's are milk, which is often overly fatty, alcoholic beverages, onions and garlic and grapes and raisins, which can lead to kidney failure.
"If you feel you must feed them something, vegetables, carbohydrates like plain rice or pasta and plain, white turkey is OK," Woltz said.
Other things to watch for are holiday greenery like poinsettias, holly and mistletoe. According to Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, poinsettias contain a milky sap that can irritate an animal's mouth if ingested but the signs are generally very mild. Holly berries and leaves can be a problem, too, but the poisoning signs are generally very mild and include vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe, on the other hand, is very toxic and can cause vomiting, severe diarrhea, difficult breathing, shock and death within hours of ingestion.
Also, ribbons, wrapping paper, tinsel and Christmas tree ornaments can be very attractive and harmful to a dog and cat.
Wofford recommends throwing away wrapping paper and ribbon soon after it's torn from the box to ensure your pet does not eat it and suffer intestinal blockage.
He also suggests not hanging tree ornaments on the lower branches if it looks like your pet cannot resist the temptation to play with them.
"You have to know your pets," he said. "Keep an eye on them."