Pet Tip of the Week: Decking the Halls

By Dawn Watson

 Ah, the holidays, filled with the smell of gingerbread, pine, and Uncle Harry’s cigars. Glass ornaments hung on every bough, lights are twinkly and delightful, and those stockings that are hung hold treasures galore. But hark! There are some things you need to be aware of because Fido views every pine bough and ornament as his own
personal stash!

First off you’d better put your gingerbread men out of reach unless you enjoy little spots of diarrhea on your rug. Second, don’t forget that although your dog views the ornaments as edible they are glass for gosh sakes and may require surgery to remove from a canine’s throat or stomach! (Try finding a vet on Christmas day, whydontcha).

As far as cigars and cigarettes are concerned many a dog has gotten really sick ingesting nicotine products so tell Uncle Harry to smoke outside please. And oh by gosh by golly not only is mistletoe poisonous to dogs but so is holly. Here is a brief list of seasonal items you need to be aware of:

• Raisins—hazardous
• Mistletoe—fatal
• Poinsettias—fatal
• Artificial trees—hazardous due to choking threat
• Lights and ornaments—hazardous
• Chocolate—fatal in large quantities
• Onions—fatal if ingested raw

Your best bet is to have Santa come down the chimney early for Fido and treat him to some new toys before guests start arriving or the little ones begin opening presents. If that’s not possible good ol’ Fido may be safer in his crate with a big soup bone until you can watch him full-time.

Feel free to call me with any questions at 856-349-2508 or email me at [email protected] . There is never a fee for a phone or email consultation! And, by the way, don’t forget to come on out to Gloucester City’s Christmas tree lighting Saturday! I’ll be there so feel free to come on over and introduce yourself!

 Wado, udohiyu, (thank you very much, in the Cherokee language)