Pet Winter Safety – Toxic Items
Pet Winter Safety
Toxic Items
As the temperature continues to plummet we begin hunkering down for winter. Heading to the store to buy our provisions for a chilly few months and some seasonal celebrations; however in doing so we unwittingly end up purchasing some items which can be exceptionally harmful to our furry friends. We take a look at some of the seasonal items that could be putting your pet’s health at risk.
Chocolate
We humans adore this sweet treat and it is especially prevalent around this time of year as we exchange it as gifts and buy in to treat the family up and down the country but don’t be tempted to indulge your pets this Christmas as chocolate is particularly toxic to them. The toxicity of chocolate increases with its cocoa content so even a small amount of dark chocolate can be potentially lethal. Pets that have eaten chocolate may seem irritable or excitable, be breathing fast and have an overly fast heart rate. In extreme circumstances they may develop muscle tremors or seizures.
Antifreeze
Thankfully we would never consider partaking in antifreeze as a winter tipple. Unfortunately for our pets however the strong scents and chemicals in antifreeze seem oddly delicious and they will lap it up if given half a chance; resulting in disastrous consequences. It’s important to keep antifreeze in sealed containers and out of reach of our pets. A pet who has drank antifreeze will appear drunk, unsteady and depressed and may potentially be vomiting or slipping into a coma which may lead to death. If left untreated kidney damage will occur soon after.
Alcohol
We all like a Christmas tipple but don’t be tempted to indulge your pets in any Christmas spirit. This may seem obvious but remember it only takes a small amount of alcohol to have a significant effect on your pets, so those half drank glasses of sherry should be thrown down the sink before your pets get their paws on them and Christmas pudding or other foods cooked with alcohol should never be given never mind how much their begging eyes say differently.
Batteries
Many of the toys and novelty gifts given each year contain batteries which can wreak havoc on your pet’s insides if ingested. The corrosive alkaline fluid inside batteries can cause chemical burns on your pet’s mouth, throat and stomach lining. Dogs are particularly vulnerable to damage as they tend to chew the batteries before swallowing releasing even more of the dangerous acid.
Decorations
As with batteries many Christmas decorations and ribbons can become lodged in your pet’s intestines and cause complications. A pet with a foreign body will go off their food, vomit and may stop defecating.
If you suspect your pet has consumed any of these items it is important to contact your vet immediately and let them know when, how much of and what your pet has consumed.
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