Avoiding Holiday Pet Emergencies: What You Need To Know About Holiday Foods
With the holiday season approaching, you're probably busy planning seasonal parties and family gatherings. There are going to be plenty of opportunities to indulge in some mouth-watering treats. Since this time of year is the season of giving, it may be difficult not to share your food with your household pet. Here are a few things you need to know about popular holiday food staples:
1. Turkey
Turkey is a common staple at the dinner table, and your four-legged friend is probably going to be begging for some. Luckily for your pet, you can give your dog some turkey. However, you must be careful in the way that you do it. First, all bones must be removed to avoid any choking hazards and intestine perforation. Second, all skin needs to be removed to avoid canine pancreatitis, which could include symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, pain, irritability, and refusal to eat.
2. Mashed Potatoes
As long as your homemade mashed potatoes do not contain garlic, then you should be all set. This is because garlic is extremely toxic to pets and can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, elevated heart rate and respiratory rate and possibly even collapse. Your canine and feline friends will have to enjoy something else.
3. Carrots
Carrots can actually be very beneficial to dogs, as chewing raw carrots can help strengthen teeth and keep them clean. In addition, cooked carrots contain lots of nutrients that are helpful in maintaining quality pet health. Carrots are also great for cats, but only in their cooked form. Raw carrots are a choking hazard and are often difficult to digest for felines.
4. Chocolate
Your Christmas dessert table may be covered with tasty chocolate desserts. While you and your human guests are more than welcome to indulge, you'll need to keep these chocolate treats away from your household pets. Dark chocolate and baker's chocolate are two of the most dangerous due to compounds like caffeine and theobromine. Early signs of chocolate poisoning can include vomiting, restlessness, and hyperactivity. Some more serious signs include tremors, elevated heart rate, hyperthermia, and seizures. If not treated immediately, it could result in the collapse and death of your pet.
If your pet shows any signs of distress after eating, you may want to call your veterinarian to have your pet checked out. It's always better to be safe than sorry, because if there is something wrong, it is better to catch it early so that treatment can begin and dramatically reduce the risk of something bad happening. If you can't reach your veterinarian, take your pet to the nearest emergency pet clinic, such as Animal Emergency Clinic, for an exam.
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