Pet-Friendly Holiday Decorating Tips
Dec. 16th, 2005 09:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bonniegrrl(taken from ASPCA.org)
ATTENTION, PET OWNERS! DECK THE HALLS—BUT DO IT SAFELY, PLEASE
For many of us, 'tis the season to decorate our homes with live Christmas trees and holiday greenery. But did you know that some of these yuletide traditions can be hazardous to your pet's health?
* Lovely lilies are commonly used in holiday floral arrangements, but many varieties—including Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Stargazer and the Casa Blanca—can cause kidney failure in cats.
* Bag the boughs of holly and live mistletoe. Sure, they add a nice touch to your holiday decor, but holly can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested by your pet. And should he eat mistletoe, he could suffer gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Opt instead for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic.
* Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria—and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.
* Although the potential toxicity of poinsettias is generally overstated, these showy holiday plants can irritate your pet's mouth, and may cause nausea and/or mild vomiting.
If you suspect that your animal companion has eaten a potentially toxic substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more holiday poison prevention tips, please visit ASPCA online.
ATTENTION, PET OWNERS! DECK THE HALLS—BUT DO IT SAFELY, PLEASE
For many of us, 'tis the season to decorate our homes with live Christmas trees and holiday greenery. But did you know that some of these yuletide traditions can be hazardous to your pet's health?
* Lovely lilies are commonly used in holiday floral arrangements, but many varieties—including Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Stargazer and the Casa Blanca—can cause kidney failure in cats.
* Bag the boughs of holly and live mistletoe. Sure, they add a nice touch to your holiday decor, but holly can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested by your pet. And should he eat mistletoe, he could suffer gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Opt instead for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic.
* Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria—and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.
* Although the potential toxicity of poinsettias is generally overstated, these showy holiday plants can irritate your pet's mouth, and may cause nausea and/or mild vomiting.
If you suspect that your animal companion has eaten a potentially toxic substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more holiday poison prevention tips, please visit ASPCA online.
