Archive for 24/12/2007

Christmas Dangers

poinsettia.jpg

There are a number of christmas dangers to be aware of with your pets. These are ones that I have seen:
1). An owner had left a huge 2kg chocolate slab all neatly wrapped under the tree. Remember how good a dog’s sense of smell is. Her Spaniel ate the entire contents of the present and spent christmas in the hospital. Cocoa powder or very dark chocolate contain a substance called theobromine that can cause a heart attack in dogs. Milk chocolate just gives them a nasty stomach ache due to the over-indulgence of sugar and fat.
2). The thin tinsel strands that look so pretty on a tree can be lethal. I had a kitten once that had chewed one and they can cause the gut loops to twist and can be very dangerous.
3). Poinsettia flowers as shown above are very decorative at Christmas but can cause mouth irritation and mild vomiting if eaten by your cat.
Other than that, I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

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