December is such a festive month, it's the most wonderful time of the year! Consecutive dinner and dances, parties and reunions with friends and family comes along the way. Where people set up their christmas tree, decorations, not to mention lots of food and gift giving. But with all the gatherings you don't want to ruin the moment by having an emergency - bringing your pet to the vet! Below are some tips to keep in mind for your furbaby's safety:
The "No No Munchkins"
1. No Chocolates
Chocolates are such a sweet gift for the holidays however it is indeed fatal to dogs and cats especially when consumed in big amounts. To save yourself from any worry by simply avoiding to feed them any chocolate coated/infused goodies. Fun fact, the more dark the chocolate is, the more it can impact your pets. Instead you can try feeding them pet friendly kibbles, a brand we recommend is Absolute Holistic Pet Food!
2. No Alcohol
Under no circumstance should your pet be given any kind or form of alcohol. Some owners or guests might find your dog cute and may be curious on how your dog may act if they're drunk. However, this is not Hangover or any kind of movie. Alcohol may cause tremors, diarrhea, vomitting, coma, decreased coordination, abnormal blood acidity, depression, and even death.
3. Coffee or Caffeine
May be definitely delicious and a neccessity to some of us humans, but for pets can cause alot of terrible complications. Coffee and Caffeine contains a unique class of drug called methylxanthines. Once pets ingest this, it can cause abnormal heart rhythm, diarrhea, excessive thrist and urination, vomitting, tremors and seizures or even death.
4. Raw Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones
Feeding your pet raw stuff thinking that it's natural for them when they are in the wild is a common misconception for dog owners. Domesticated pets are rather different, feeding them bones can make them choke on it and cause splinters in their digestive tract. As for raw undercooked meat and eggs, E. Coli and Salmonella is present and may be harmful to both pets and pet owners. You don't wanna rush on the hospital and vet for diarrhea on a special gathering!
5. Grapes and Raisins
You may think it's healthy for your pets because they are fruits, however they are potent enough to cause kidney failure. Studies have not revealed what exact component these fruits have, but better to avoid feeding them to our fur babies.
6. Nuts
Nuts is a common table scrap food during the holidays, and sometimes we are so busy with friends and family that we couldn't keep an eye to what our pets are eating. High amounts of oil are found within nuts, pecans, almonds, and walnuts, and our beloved pet's digestive system are not made the same as us humans. Feeding them nuts might cause them Pancreatitis.