PAWSITIVELY HELPFUL PET TIPS

WITH DR. DEB

"HOLIDAY MEALS"

* Keep your pets safe by keeping them in a KENNEL OR ROOM OF THEIR OWN, so they won't have access to the table, unattended plates of food or garbage cans without lids.

* Just say "NO" TO GIVING YOUR PET HOLIDAY LEFTOVERS, including bones, that can lead to a digestive upset at the least, and possible pancreatitis or intestinal blockage at the worst (a definite ER visit!).  The tasty leftovers are often WAY too fatty, spicy, and rich for our pets to tolerate!

* MACADAMIA NUTS are common ingredients in holiday cookies and candies.  Even a few ounces of nuts can be enough to cause illness in a small dog.  Contact your veterinarian if your pet eats any food containing macadamia nuts!

* CHOCOLATE is another holiday treat mainstay, but can be QUITE TOXIC is ingested by dogs and cats.  Depending upon the type of chocolate, variable amounts of caffeine and theobromine are present and are toxic to animals.  Signs of illness can occur within 1 to 4 hours after ingestion.  CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY if chocolate ingestion is observed or suspected!

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

* Alcoholic beverages are often part of holiday celebrations.  Place UNATTENDED BEVERAGES where pets cannot get to them.  Alcohol poisoning in dogs and cats can be serious and in come cases even lead to death.