NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Erica Miller, DVM with Apple Lane Animal Hospital told Hutch Post that it is important that you think about your pets as you decorate your home for the holidays.
"I would say one of the biggest issues, especially for cats, is tinsel and garland," Miller said. "I always think it's so funny because when you see pictures of cats and kittens and different things, people always show them with like a yarn ball or some kind of string and like in the vet world, I just cringe because tinsel and things like that that are shiny and just cats love it, but if they eat that, then it gets stuck in their intestines because it's long and skinny, and so as the intestines try and move along, they can't really grab that so it gets stuck in it, it can cause some pretty serious issues."
If you put food on as decoration, like popcorn or candy canes, keep pets away from those.
"Most of those popcorn chains, cause I remember making one of those when I was younger, have string in the middle of them," Miller said. "String can cause some major issues inside in the intestines. Also, if you've got a notorious lab puppy that likes to eat everything can end up getting stuck and needing emergency foreign body surgery. So a lot of it too is knowing your pet."
If you do plan to give your pets treats, make sure they are treats they are familiar with and that they don't get too much.
"If people are giving your pets some treats that they don't normally have or aren't normally used to that, even sometimes treats that are specifically made for pets can still, if your pet has a sensitive stomach can cause their belly to be upset," Miller said. "Knowing your pet, if your pet has a sensitive stomach, then probably giving them treats or things they're not used to, even if they're made for dogs, can cause problems."
Most of all, think ahead about how the holidays may impact your pet and make accommodations in advance, so that they can enjoy the time as much as you do.