- Chocolate- small amounts may cause vomiting and diarrhea but in large doses, seizures and heart arrhythmias may occur
- Fruit Cakes, Breads, and Cookies Containing Grapes, Raisins, or Currants- may cause kidney failure
- Alcohol- found in rum cake and bread with yeast may cause vomiting, breathing problems, and in severe cases coma or death
- Salt- ice melt, homemade play dough, salt dough, and dough ornaments can cause electrolyte imbalances
- Uncooked Bread/Yeast-stays in the stomach causing alcohol and gas build-up
- Old Fashioned Bubble Lights- chemical inside may cause depression, aspiration pneumonia, and eye irritation or small glass pieces can lead to cuts if lights are broken
- Lights-electrical burns
- Tinsel, Yarn, Ribbon etc.- linear foreign bodies, especially in cats
- Scented Oils- chemical burns, fever, difficulty breathing, tremors, dried potpourri may also result in foreign bodies
- Lilies- kidney failure in cats
- Holly- lip smacking, drooling and head shaking
- Japanese Yew- dizziness, abnormal heart rate, dilated pupils, coma, and death especially in horses
- Tree Preservatives- GI upset
- Poinsettias- mucus membrane irritation
Hopefully with just a little time removing these dangers your pets will be able to safely celebrate with you. If a problem does occur, please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) and ASPCA (888-426-4435) also offer 24 hours assistance with poisonings.
Dr. Sara Nosbush