Christmas Tree Dangers
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How dangerous you can be……
If you are anything like me, I love to trim the tree right after Thanksgiving. This way I can enjoy it as long as possible. My pets, especially my cats, seem to enjoy the tree just as much as I do. All those shiny ornaments and draping garland make such great toys. I have at least one ornament that doesn’t make it to see the next holiday season. Live tree or artificial, there are several hazards to be aware of with this splendid piece of holiday décor (yes…I love Christmas trees!).
Christmas tree water –
If you have a live tree, this is real hazard. The water can contain fertilizers which can cause stomach upset. It is also considered stagnant water and can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria can lead to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, if ingested.
Safety suggestions: 1. Use a covered tree base. 2. Switch to an artificial tree. 3. Keep the tree in a room that your pet is unable/not allowed to enter. 4. Place a pet/baby gate around your tree so you pets are unable to get to tree water.
Electric cords
Exposed electric cords can look like string and toys to your pets. If they are chewed this can lead to electrical burns and even electrocution. Cover cords to help prevent your pet from chewing on them.
Safety suggestions: 1. Cover the cords with plastic guards (available at most electronic stores). 2. Keep the tree in a room that your pet is unable/not allowed to enter. 3. Place a pet/baby gate around your tree so you pets are unable to get to decorations.
Ribbon, tinsel, and ornaments
These bright and shiny decorations are very attractive to inquisitive and playful pets. A cat playing with a piece of tinsel might seem innocent, but this can lead to ingestion of the tinsel, ribbon, or ornament. Ingesting of any type of decoration can lead to an obstruction (a blockage in the intestine) which requires surgery to correct. Obstructions can be life threatening. Glass ingestion (by way of glass decorations and ornaments) can be particularly dangerous due to the possibility of the glass cutting the esophagus and intestines. Do not allow your pet to play with any decorations.
Safety suggestions: 1. Keep all breakable ornaments at a high point on your tree out of reach. 2. Switch to shatter proof/plastic ornaments. 3. Place a pet/baby gate around your tree so you pets are unable to get to decorations. 4. Do not use decorations (like tinsel ‘icicles’) that can easily fall off or be removed in small pieces.
Batteries
These are often found under your tree. Batteries contain corrosive material. If a battery is chewed, these corrosive materials can leak out and cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, there is also a danger of obstruction (a blockage to the intestine) if a battery is swallowed by your pet.
Safety suggestion: 1. Do not place gifts under the tree until it is time to open them, especially gifts with batteries. 2. Do not leave unopened gifts under the tree. 3. Place a pet/baby gate around your tree so your pets are unable to get to gifts. 4. Keep batteries out of reach of your pets at all times.
Potpourris
The holiday season is one of the most popular times for household fragrances. Liquid potpourri can be exposed to your pet through direct ingestion from simmer pots or spills, by rubbing against leaky bottles or simmer pots containing the potpourri, or from spilling the containers. Tissues in the mouth become exposed following one of these events from the pet grooming themselves. Exposure to potpourri can result in severe damage to their mouth, tongue, skin, and eyes. With dry potpourris, there is the added risk of possible obstruction (a blockage to the intestine) or toxic plant ingestion.
Safety suggestions: 1. Keep potpourris in a safe location where pets can not nock them down, spill, or disturb them. 2. Use other forms of household fragrances like plug in diffusers or room sprays to fragrance your home over the holidays.
DO NOT use any scented fragrances if you have birds in your home.
We hope that these tips can help prevent a potentially scary and stressful event for your pet and your family. The best thing you can do is try and prevent an exposure and be prepared.
What to do if your pet has been exposed to a holiday hazard:
- Gather information about the exposure – What, When, How Much
- What were they exposed to
- When were they exposed to it
- If applicable, how much were they exposed to/how much they ingested
- Call your veterinarian – Have a hospital contact sheet handy
- Coal Creek Veterinary Hospital – 303-680-2200 (we have FREE hospital magnets for this purpose, please ask for yours today).
- If it is after hours or a holiday, call your local Pet Emergency Clinic
- Animal Emergency and Specialty Center - 720-842-5050 (we have FREE magnets for this purpose that include a map, please ask for yours today).
- Remain calm and follow directions from your veterinarian or pet emergency clinic.
We hope no pet owner ever has to go through a pet being exposed to these hazards. Please use good judgment and keep your pets in mind when decorating your home this holiday season.
Written by: Jamie A. Davis, CVPM
No comments:
Post a Comment