Healthy and Happy Pets this Holiday Season

Kitchener. December 11, 2006

The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society (KWHS) reminds pet owners that the holiday season can be stressful and hazardous to your pet.  The best gift you can give your pet is to keep their routine as normal as possible.  There are many hazards for pets during the season, if you feel your pet has over done it, please consult your veterinarian.

Holiday traditions are strange to pets and don’t expect your pet to understand or respect your decorating taste.  They can un-decorate your tree, chew gifts, and re-arrange your arrangements.  Be patient, even older pets will find the change in your home strange as they may not remember back to last Christmas.  It is in your cat’s nature to climb trees – be prepared and secure your tree, possibly anchor it to a wall.  Holiday parties are stressful for pets, ensure they have a quiet room to wait out the festivities.

Decorations, like tinsel and glass balls, and many holiday plants can be hazardous to your pet’s health.  Some common examples are:

• Lilies used in floral arrangements can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested.
• Holly and mistletoe can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy if eaten by your pet.
• Christmas tree water can contain fertilizers or bacteria in stagnant tree water.
• Poinsettias can irritate your pet’s mouth, cause nausea or mild vomiting.

If you don’t want a sick pet over the holidays be sure to monitor treats - all things in moderation.  The most common human items are:

• Chocolate can cause death from heart failure in dogs and cats.  Dark chocolate is most dangerous, but poisoning can occur if small amounts are fed repeatedly.
• Milk products can cause pets to become sick to their stomach as the ability to digest lactose decreases with age.
• "Bloat" is caused by too much gas or fluid in the stomach and could lead to your dog’s stomach flipping – a deadly condition called ‘rotation’.  Deep-chested dogs are most at risk, but rotation has occurred in dogs that have been allowed to eat too fast. Signs include: abdominal distention, salivating, retching, lethargy or a rapid heart rate.
• Cold and flu season means medication. Keep all medication out of animals reach.  One Tylenol™ tablet can be fatal to a cat.

Never surprise a loved one with a pet as a gift. 
If a new pet is on your loved one’s Christmas list, agree to help them find the right pet after Christmas.  Pet owners should always make a fully informed decision.

Winter Weather
KWHS would also like to remind pet owners to keep their pets indoors whenever possible on cold days.  A fur coat does not exclude pets from frostbite and hypothermia.  Ontario’s laws require that animal guardians supply proper care and shelter.

Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society:

Since 1927, the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society (KWHS) has been responsible for the welfare of animals in the twin cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, and their surrounding communities.  KWHS is one of the largest humane societies in Ontario.  As a member of the community, our mission is to be a proactive leader in providing humane care through education, advocacy and enforcement to promote the well-being of all animals.