Christmas Trap: Why is your pet in danger?

Imagine: the house is filled with a festive aroma, the lights are sparkling, and there are gifts piled high under the tree. But for your curious four-legged friend, this is a real labyrinth of temptations! Chocolate, holiday dishes, shiny toys and dangerous plants - all this can turn Christmas into a nightmare. Let's figure out how we can protect our pets from holiday dangers.

CHRISTMAS FOOD

Shared holiday meals are great, but not for your dog. Many Christmas dishes can cause serious poisoning, even death.
Many products that we consider harmless can seriously harm the health of our pets. Chocolate, onions, bones, sweets - all this is fraught with danger.

Improper nutrition can lead to:

• Digestive disorders
• Allergic reactions
• Poisoning
• Damage to internal organs
• Obesity
• Dental problems

To maintain the health of your pet, exclude the following list of products from its diet:

• Dairy products
• Chocolate
• Sweets
• Yeast products
• Alcohol
• Onions and garlic
• Smoked meats and sausages
• Raw fish
• Bones
• Spices and seasonings
• Tea and coffee
• Pearl barley
• Mushrooms
• Vinegar
• Butter
• Grapes, raisins
• Some types of nuts
• Blue cheese
• Salt

HOLIDAY PLANTS

During the Christmas season, as well as tinsel and trinkets, many of us strive to decorate our homes with an abundance of festive greenery. We hang ivy wreaths on our doors, place colorful poinsettias on our windowsills, hang mistletoe in our doorways, and bring trees into our homes to decorate with toys. But did you know that some of these seasonal plants can make your dog sick?

Here are some examples of popular holiday plants that can be harmful to your dog:

• Poinsettias
• Holly
• Mistletoe
• Ivy
• Pine Potpourri
• Christmas Trees

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND GIFTS

Christmas is a magical time, but it can be a real challenge for our pets. Shiny tinsel, fragile baubles, and brightly colored lights are tempting for them to play with. However, these holiday decorations can cause serious problems: tinsel can get tangled in the intestines, and broken baubles can injure paws. Batteries, if swallowed, cause chemical burns to the esophagus and stomach. Even small toys can become lodged in the airway. To keep your pet safe, place the tree in a safe place, use unbreakable toys, and remove all small objects.

WINTER DANGERS

Winter is the season of cold, icy weather, dark evening walks, crunching snow and ice, and fast, frosty walks. These things may be typical signs that winter is upon us, but they also point to a number of seasonal dangers for our dogs. Venturing out into the cold is all about being prepared, not just in what we wear, but in knowing what dangers may lie ahead and how to avoid them.

Some of the main winter hazards include:

• Antifreeze
• Hypothermia
• Frostbite
• Arthritis
• Rat and mouse poison
• Winter weight gain

In winter, our pets need extra protection:

• Cold and damp: Can lead to hypothermia and colds.
• Snow and ice: Increase the risk of slipping and injury, and can irritate the skin on the paws.
• Chemicals: Damage the paw pads.
• Sharp objects: Hidden under the snow, can cause cuts.
• Thin ice: Can pose a drowning hazard.
• Wild animals: Can be more aggressive in winter.

Have you noticed that your pet has eaten something inedible? Does your pet seem unwell? Is he or she lethargic and inactive? Don't delay! Contact your veterinarian. Trying to deal with the situation yourself may make the animal's condition worse. Your guesses about what your pet may have eaten or what it may have been poisoned with (take a sample of the poison, if available) will help the vet.

© Tetyana Lazko, co-owner of the kennel "Strider in Diversity kennel"