Experts are warning pet owners to be careful with holiday foods and decorations around their pets, as ingesting these items could lead to expensive medical procedures.
An X-ray and a procedure could cost pet owners thousands of dollars if their pets ingest harmful items. Pet owners should keep chocolate, candy, grapes, mint, or other items with excessive sugar or spice away from their pets. Additionally, chicken or turkey bones should be avoided as they can easily splinter and become lodged in a pet's throat. For those with real Christmas trees, it is important to ensure pets are not eating the pine or drinking the tree's water.
Eddie Simpson, a veterinarian assistant for the animal welfare department, said they often see dogs come in with random objects in their stomachs, while cats frequently end up with tinsel.
"If you notice that your pet hasn't been drinking for a while, hasn't been eating when they try to use the restroom, that it looks like they're straining when they do end up having like a stool or bowel movement, there's blood in the– in their stool. Those are definitely signs of concern. If you see your pet kind of lying around not wanting to do much, or even when you touch their stomach and it seems like it's painful," Simpson said.
If a pet shows any of these signs, it is recommended to have it checked by a veterinarian. Pet owners should also keep their vet's phone number handy or contact the poison control hotline in case of emergencies.
