Keep your pets safe during the holidays

#MiddleburyCT #Holidays #PoisonousFoods

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Last Thanksgiving, we had the scare of our life. Our little dog “Mamie” jumped onto the counter and ate a huge amount of the stuffing that I had just scooped out of the turkey! She got sick almost immediately and threw up, but because she kept drooling afterward, I rushed her to an emergency vet. Mamie spent a few days at the vet getting supportive care because the ingredients in the stuffing affected her so badly. She’s completely recovered now, but please warn your readers to keep pets away from the kitchen and dining room during holiday festivities. – Paul and Diane G., Norwood, Massachusetts

DEAR PAUL & DIANE: I am so relieved to hear that Mamie is OK! As you noted, many of the delicious, rich foods we eat during Thanksgiving and Christmas contain ingredients that are poisonous to dogs and cats. Onions are one culprit, but garlic, avocados, grapes (and raisins), macadamia nuts and chocolate can also cause serious illness and death if ingested. Foods or candies sweetened with xylitol can be deadly to pets. Alcohol and caffeine can also sicken them.

While preparing the feast, keep pets out of the kitchen. When guests arrive and you begin to serve treats and drinks, that’s the time to sequester your pets for the duration. Place them in a quiet room with water, treats and their favorite toys. This keeps them calm and allows you to focus on your guests. It also prevents them from getting into foods that could harm them.

Finally, for pet owners who think, “My big dog ate a chocolate bar once and it didn’t hurt him at all” – it’s a bad idea to assume that your dog isn’t at risk because they got through an earlier scare unscathed. Protect your pets this holiday season and enjoy many more to come.

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