Krystal L. Beers, C.S.A.N.
It’s that time of year when there are generally lots of candies and holiday decorations around that pose a hazard to our pets safety, as well as cold weather automobile products.
Though most pet owners are aware of these items, they’re worth mentioning again as every year pets still accidentally choke or are poisoned.
Many people feel they are somehow depriving Fido of a treat if they don’t share, so don’t be fooled by those begging eyes!
Hard candies- Aside from being full of sweeteners that aren’t even healthy for humans, hard candies often are wrapped with plastic or papers that are not at all digestible, so there is risk of blockage if swallowed.
Chocolate- Chocolate is toxic to all animals, dogs being especially susceptible, but the effects can vary according to the kind of chocolate and size of dog. For example: a 1-1/2 ounce piece of milk chocolate could cause adverse reaction in a 10 lb. dog; the same amount of baker’s chocolate for that same dog could kill it. When you think about it, that isn’t a lot of chocolate! So please keep it out of the reach of all your pets.
Antifreeze- This product may be necessary for our cars in winter, but it is absolutely toxic to animals, and it doesn’t take much - 1 tsp. for a cat, 1 Tbsp. for a 10 pound dog is fatal to either. Its sweet taste attracts pets, so be careful not to spill it anywhere your pet could get into it. If you suspect your pet drank some, get them to the veterinarian immediately. There are a few brands of antifreeze developed as “non-toxic” and “animal-friendly”, but it’s wise to keep all such products well away from your dear companions.
Xylitol- This is a common sweetener now even in everyday items like peanut butter. But it is 100% fatal; there is no recourse if eaten. Read labels! And keep human food away from your pets.
Decorations- This is really just common sense but bears a reminder. Tinsel and small decorations can be attractive toys for cats and small dogs but are both choking and blockage hazards. Broken glass and plastic if swallowed can cause severe harm.
Get outside with your pets and have a safe winter!
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About the Author: Krystal L. Beers, C.S.A.N. is a board Certified Small Animal Naturopath consulting on animal nutrition and wellness. With years of experience in animal wellness, Krystal is a blogger, writer, and presenter on natural pet care as well as the published author of three animal care books, including Rabbit Care… Naturally, Give Your Dog a Species Appropriate Raw Food Diet, and The Eight Laws of Health in Animal Naturopathy. Krystal’s articles have been featured in various publications in both print and online. Krystal is passionate about using and sharing Young Living Essential Oils.
Visit her Website: https://twohunnyz.wixsite.com/rawnaturopathy
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