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chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine. Theobromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. It also causes increased thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and increased heart rate. As little as 1/4 ounce of baking chocolate eaten by a 10-pound dog can cause these problems.
Cats do not seem to be bothered with chocolate poisoning, although it is possible if they eat enough. Fortunately, cats do not seem to be all that inclined to eat chocolate!

In general, the less sweet the chocolate, the more toxic it is. Unsweetened baking chocolate contains almost seven times more theobromine than milk chocolate. Bakers chocolate, semi sweet, milk and dark chocolate, can be poisonous to many animals.
Therefore, please remember to keep the sweets containing chocolate out of reach of your pets.
If you really have trouble resisting those pleading eyes, make some treats just for them with our April recipe of the month - Carob Cookies. They're very easy to make, and will give you an alternative to feeling guilty about denying your pet!

Leftovers and Alcohol

Poultry bones
can splinter and cause blockages and perforate, (puncture), the stomach and intestines.

If uncooked yeast dough is eaten
This is usually a dog - it can rise in the stomach and cause bloating and severe pain. The breakdown product of rising yeast dough is alcohol. It can cause an alcohol poisoning. Pets who have eaten bread dough may vomit become disoriented and suffer depression. Many cases like this require surgical removal of the dough. Even small amounts can be dangerous.

Leftovers
Greasy, spicy or fatty foods can cause stomach upset. Don't leave the garbage where they can get to it. Spoiled and moldy foods may cause tremors or seizures.

Coffee grounds
Coffee beans, chocolate covered espresso beans, Contain caffeine - a stimulant - and depending on the dose ingested, stimulation, restlessness, increased heart rate, tremors, or seizures may be seen.

Alcohol Be sure that unattended alcoholic drinks are up where pets can't reach them. Alcoholic beverages can cause alcohol poisoning. If your pet drinks an alcoholic drink, the animal could become depressed, pass out, become sick or go into a coma.

Nicotine products
Nicotine can be fatal to dogs and cats. Signs of nicotine poisoning often develop within 15 to 45 minutes. Symptoms include excitation, salivation, panting, vomiting and diarrhea. Muscle weakness, twitching, depression, coma, increased heart rate and cardiac arrest can follow.

Other Common Holiday Food and Plant Dangers

Artificial Sweeteners
Recent research has found that artificial sweeteners can destroy your pet's liver. Do not let your pet get into any artifically flavored foods. This can include soo many products - fruits, bakery goods, candy and liquids included.

Macadamia nuts
Can cause muscular weakness, depression, vomiting, disorientation, tremors, abdominal pain and muscle stiffness in dogs. The effects can last 1-3 days. This has not been reported in cats.

Grapes and Raisins
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center reports that Some dogs developed kidney failure following ingestion of grapes or raisins. There also has been one case of renal failure that occurred in a cat that ate raisins. At this time the exact role of grapes or raisins in these cases is unclear.

Don’t forget about wrapped gifts under your tree that may be food items. Those little noses are pretty good at finding chocolate right through the wrappers!

Holiday Plants

Mistletoe and Holly
Common Yuletide plants such as mistletoe and holly berries can be toxic to pets. If a cat or dog should eat mistletoe, they could suffer gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. If eaten, holly can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy.

Christmas trees
If you have a live Christmas tree, keep the water stand covered. Pine sap mixed with water can make a poisonous drink for your pet. There could be fertilizers and pesticides in the christmas tree water that can cause stomach upset. The stagnant tree water can also act as a breeding ground for bacteria. If your pet drinks it, they could end up with nausea and diarrhea.The smell of a live or artificial tree may cause your pet to urinemark it.
Be sure to secure the Christmas tree so that it won't topple over if your dog runs after a toy and hits it, - or if your cat climbs it. If you have a cat that is tempted to play with the ornaments on your tree, try decorating the bottom third of the tree with non-breakable, plastic or wooden ornaments, or decorate only the top two-thirds of your tree.

Decorations
Pick up any ornament hooks, tinsel, string or ribbon that fall on the floor. If your pet swallows any of these items, it can travel into the intestines, tangle them and be life-threatening. This typically necessitates surgery to remove them.

If you have indoor lights, be sure they don’t hang down where your pet can get tangled in them. Remember to watch puppies to keep them from chewing on electric cords, and unplug the lights when you’re not home. (Usually a good idea with Christmas lights anyway)