Post by Nacht der Tiger on Nov 11, 2004 23:53:31 GMT -5
During this upcoming holiday season it is important to keep our pets safe, especially with all the goodies being made for family gatherings. There are several things that you would never guess or believe to be dangerous for our dearest friends. There are foods that you will use this upcoming holiday season that you can not allow your pets to eat. There are also other dangers to your pets that pet owners should know.
Since our animals have a much better sense of smell, as soon as you start the cookin’ they’ll come a lookin’. There are some things you as a pet owner should pay attention to while you are cooking your holiday meals and goodies. For those with larger pets or pets that can climb onto countertops, it would be especially good if you could keep them out of the kitchen altogether. They will be at the most risk.
Things to take caution or watch for::
~Everyone knows or has seen a turkey cooked in the large aluminum pans or even a regular roaster. These hold a danger. With the hot drippings from your turkey or ham or whatever bird or animal you are cooking this season, this presents a danger. How? If you have a rather large nosy pet that can reach the countertop and nose around, they can easily tip these over and severely scald or burn themselves. Make sure these are out of your nosy pet’s way.
~Something important about those drippings. Do NOT give your pet any of the drippings cooled or not. The seasonings that we use are not good for them. No human seasoning is. Also, the drippings can upset your pet’s digestive system. I don’t think you want to deal with …. Digestive problems when you are trying to cook and enjoy your meals.
~How many of you have given your pets some of your turkey or ham during the holidays? Or even when you cook it otherwise? This can be a bad thing if you give your pet an excessive amount. Now feeding your pet human food can lead to begging, it is also dangerous because the foods we eat are too rich for our four legged friends. This can lead to our pets having health problems and horrible eating habits.
~I know a lot of pet owners like to give their pets bones, but DON’T. This is dangerous, especially poultry bones. Bones can splinter and tear up a pets system and/or lodge in their throats. This is extremely painful and sometimes it can lead to death.
~Now some have heard that during Halloween it’s best to keep your pets locked up because of the excitement. This remains true for the holiday season. Only you do not have to keep them locked up. Just make sure you keep their schedule of feeding and exercise the same.
~How many of you have thought about your Christmas lights being harmful to your pets? I never would have really thought about it, other than a possible if not definite electrocution from chewing on the cord. Well, it turns out these can have severe consequences if your pet eats the lights. Christmas bubble lights contain a chemical called methylene chloride. If ingested it can have moderate to lethal effects. Watch your pets if you have these lights this season.
~In my last column, I shared the story of a woman who lost her cat Tabitha after her cat ate the fake spider webs that she used. Well, there is another holiday decoration that needs to be watched. Some people use the fake snow for decoration. This has a low toxicity level. Now I don’t know how popular angel-hair (spun glass) is these days but it is NOT safe to use around your pets. It also has a low toxicity level but is still dangerous.
~I have a couple of ornaments that I love. Now this is more for your sanity then your four legged friend’s health. Put those ornaments at the top of your tree so they won’t get damaged from wandering pets. Also, I know everyone loves tinsel (especially cleaning it up); if you use this, keep a watchful eye on your pet so they do not ingest any. This could lead to another Tabitha case, only on Christmas and not Halloween.
~Watch your pets around fires when fire salts are used. Although beautiful if ingested (the salts) the pet can have health issues ranging from vomiting to convulsing. Family time around the fire is great; just make sure everything is out of your pets reach.
~I know that you want your pets to look beautiful and special. I don’t blame you, its fun getting them all decked out and looking cute, but do not tie any ribbons around their necks. They can tighten them and choke themselves and possibly hang themselves if they get caught on something. To go along with this, keep ribbons and those pre-made bows out of your pets reach so they can not chew on them or swallow them.
~For those with pets that like to chew, instead of using those horrible metal hooks that we all love, use yarn or twine to hang your ornaments. That way the ornament will stay on the tree instead of falling off and putting your pet at risk.
~If you live in a town that has fireworks during or on holidays, here’s a suggestion to keep your pet safe and sane. The sound of fireworks can be very stressful for a pet. Here’s a tip I’ve seen recently. If you are not going to be with your pet when the fireworks are going to go off then put your pet in a room by themselves. Put on some calm music, play it louder than you normally would or just enough to where they will not hear the pops and booms of the fireworks. This was you guarantee that your pet is safe and will not lose all sanity.
~There are a number of plants that are hazardous to your pets. Some come out during this holiday season. For a complete list of all plants toxic to your pets go to www.aspca.org/site/FrameSet?style=User&url=http://www.aspca.org/toxicplants/M01947.htm
There is a list of plants here that are linked by name to pictures and signs that your pet may have ingested them. If your pet has call the Animal Poison Control Center at 1 (888) 426-4435. This line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (This number is for the ASPCA APCC the top animal poison control center in North America.)
~For a list of foods dangerous to your pets please go here www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1939&articleid=1030 They tell you what they are and why you should avoid them.
~For tips if you decide to travel with your pets
www.takeyourpet.com/pages/trav.htm
~Car www.takeyoupet.com/pages/car.htm
~Air www.takeyourpet.com/pages/air.htm
Although not all of these are necessary, there is a message. If you choose to use these objects, be watchful of your pets.
Happy holidays!
~!~ Jessica Erin ~!~
Sources used for methyl chloride and angel-hair facts.
www.epa.gov/grtlakes/seahome/housewaste/house/methyl.htm
www.middleburgkc.com/news.html
Since our animals have a much better sense of smell, as soon as you start the cookin’ they’ll come a lookin’. There are some things you as a pet owner should pay attention to while you are cooking your holiday meals and goodies. For those with larger pets or pets that can climb onto countertops, it would be especially good if you could keep them out of the kitchen altogether. They will be at the most risk.
Things to take caution or watch for::
~Everyone knows or has seen a turkey cooked in the large aluminum pans or even a regular roaster. These hold a danger. With the hot drippings from your turkey or ham or whatever bird or animal you are cooking this season, this presents a danger. How? If you have a rather large nosy pet that can reach the countertop and nose around, they can easily tip these over and severely scald or burn themselves. Make sure these are out of your nosy pet’s way.
~Something important about those drippings. Do NOT give your pet any of the drippings cooled or not. The seasonings that we use are not good for them. No human seasoning is. Also, the drippings can upset your pet’s digestive system. I don’t think you want to deal with …. Digestive problems when you are trying to cook and enjoy your meals.
~How many of you have given your pets some of your turkey or ham during the holidays? Or even when you cook it otherwise? This can be a bad thing if you give your pet an excessive amount. Now feeding your pet human food can lead to begging, it is also dangerous because the foods we eat are too rich for our four legged friends. This can lead to our pets having health problems and horrible eating habits.
~I know a lot of pet owners like to give their pets bones, but DON’T. This is dangerous, especially poultry bones. Bones can splinter and tear up a pets system and/or lodge in their throats. This is extremely painful and sometimes it can lead to death.
~Now some have heard that during Halloween it’s best to keep your pets locked up because of the excitement. This remains true for the holiday season. Only you do not have to keep them locked up. Just make sure you keep their schedule of feeding and exercise the same.
~How many of you have thought about your Christmas lights being harmful to your pets? I never would have really thought about it, other than a possible if not definite electrocution from chewing on the cord. Well, it turns out these can have severe consequences if your pet eats the lights. Christmas bubble lights contain a chemical called methylene chloride. If ingested it can have moderate to lethal effects. Watch your pets if you have these lights this season.
~In my last column, I shared the story of a woman who lost her cat Tabitha after her cat ate the fake spider webs that she used. Well, there is another holiday decoration that needs to be watched. Some people use the fake snow for decoration. This has a low toxicity level. Now I don’t know how popular angel-hair (spun glass) is these days but it is NOT safe to use around your pets. It also has a low toxicity level but is still dangerous.
~I have a couple of ornaments that I love. Now this is more for your sanity then your four legged friend’s health. Put those ornaments at the top of your tree so they won’t get damaged from wandering pets. Also, I know everyone loves tinsel (especially cleaning it up); if you use this, keep a watchful eye on your pet so they do not ingest any. This could lead to another Tabitha case, only on Christmas and not Halloween.
~Watch your pets around fires when fire salts are used. Although beautiful if ingested (the salts) the pet can have health issues ranging from vomiting to convulsing. Family time around the fire is great; just make sure everything is out of your pets reach.
~I know that you want your pets to look beautiful and special. I don’t blame you, its fun getting them all decked out and looking cute, but do not tie any ribbons around their necks. They can tighten them and choke themselves and possibly hang themselves if they get caught on something. To go along with this, keep ribbons and those pre-made bows out of your pets reach so they can not chew on them or swallow them.
~For those with pets that like to chew, instead of using those horrible metal hooks that we all love, use yarn or twine to hang your ornaments. That way the ornament will stay on the tree instead of falling off and putting your pet at risk.
~If you live in a town that has fireworks during or on holidays, here’s a suggestion to keep your pet safe and sane. The sound of fireworks can be very stressful for a pet. Here’s a tip I’ve seen recently. If you are not going to be with your pet when the fireworks are going to go off then put your pet in a room by themselves. Put on some calm music, play it louder than you normally would or just enough to where they will not hear the pops and booms of the fireworks. This was you guarantee that your pet is safe and will not lose all sanity.
~There are a number of plants that are hazardous to your pets. Some come out during this holiday season. For a complete list of all plants toxic to your pets go to www.aspca.org/site/FrameSet?style=User&url=http://www.aspca.org/toxicplants/M01947.htm
There is a list of plants here that are linked by name to pictures and signs that your pet may have ingested them. If your pet has call the Animal Poison Control Center at 1 (888) 426-4435. This line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (This number is for the ASPCA APCC the top animal poison control center in North America.)
~For a list of foods dangerous to your pets please go here www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1939&articleid=1030 They tell you what they are and why you should avoid them.
~For tips if you decide to travel with your pets
www.takeyourpet.com/pages/trav.htm
~Car www.takeyoupet.com/pages/car.htm
~Air www.takeyourpet.com/pages/air.htm
Although not all of these are necessary, there is a message. If you choose to use these objects, be watchful of your pets.
Happy holidays!
~!~ Jessica Erin ~!~
Sources used for methyl chloride and angel-hair facts.
www.epa.gov/grtlakes/seahome/housewaste/house/methyl.htm
www.middleburgkc.com/news.html