Wintertime and Holiday Pet Care Tips

Wintertime & Holiday Pet Care Tips

Plants

Mistletoe : Very toxic, all parts, especially the berries.
Holly : Moderate to very toxic, especially the berries and leaves.
Poinsettia : Leaves and sterns low in toxicity.
Christmas Greens such as Balsam, Juniper; Cedar; Pine and Fir : All pants of these plants have a low level of toxicity.
Hibiscus : May cause vomiting or bloody diarrhea if ingested.

Keep toxic plants out of your pet's and children's teach.

Holiday Decorations

Bubbling Lights : Moderate to lethal toxicity, depending on the amount of fluid (methylene chloride) inhaled or ingested.
Fireplace Colors (fire salts) : Moderate toxicity; symptoms are gastrointestinal irritation with vomiting and a variety of other manifestation, including convulsions.
Angel Hair (spun glass) : Low toxicity; can cause irritation of the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal tract.
Christmas Tree Preservative Solution : Low toxicity, depending upon formulation and quantity ingested.
Snow Sprays and Snow Flock : low toxicity, dry particles are inert; however, toxicity from inhalation can occur if sprayed directly in mouth.
Styrofoam : Low toxicity; can cause choking from mechanical obstruction.
Christmas Tree Ornaments : Non-toxic, however intestinal obstruction and choking are potential problems.
Icicles (tinsel) : Non-toxic; however, intestinal obstruction and choking are potential problems.
Snow Scenes : Toxicity may come from organisms possibly in the water, most notably Salmonella.

Read label warnings on all decorations and take the necessary precautions to protect your pet.

Gifts and Miscellaneous Items

Button Battery (disk battery) : Caustic, potentially high toxicity depending upon the position of the battery in gastrointestinal tract.
Aftershave Lotion, Colognes, Perfumes, Alcoholic Beverages : Ethanol in various concentrations is moderately toxic depending upon the amount ingested. The high concentrations of essential oils in true perfumes are especially toxic.
Plastic Model Cement : Moderate toxicity.
Epoxy Adhesive : Uncured hardener : moderate to high toxicity. Uncured resin : low toxicity, primarily irritation and sensitization.
Adhesives, Super Glue : Low toxicity, most difficulty occurs when eyelids become bonded together.
Artist Supplies: Crayons, Felt Tip Markers, Pencils, Water-based Paints : Low toxicity; however, may cause more than a mild mucous membrane and gastrointestinal irritation.
Petroleum Based Paints : low toxicity; primary concern is possibility of aspiration.
Toys : Avoid toys with parts small enough to be pulled off and swallowed and toys painted with toxic materials, etc. Use same precautions as with children.