ONIONS: All colors, including their relatives, garlic & chives. DOGS, face DEADLY ANEMIA when eaten. This requires IMMEDIATE Veterinary Attention!

CHOCOLATE: The toxic element is theobromine. THE MOST COMMON WAY DOG’S INGEST CHOCOLATE IS FROM GIFTS CONTAINING CHOCOLATE*. Your pet’s sense of smell can and will easily find it! As a general rule, a 10-lb. DOG could be in trouble if they ate just one ounce of unsweetened chocolate. Depending on your pet’s weight, the amount eaten, symptoms can range from vomiting, diarrhea, urination, hyperactivity, panting, muscle tremors, seizures and even death. If your pet has ingested chocolate, this requires IMMEDIATE veterinary attention! *When receiving gifts ask if there’s a chance that chocolate is included.

GRAPES & RAISINS: These can cause acute renal (kidney) failure to your dog!

TENNIS BALLS: Tennis balls can deflate then re-inflate and obstruct their airways causing suffocation, or ingested tennis balls can cause fatal stomach blockages. A good rule of thumb is if the tennis ball can fit into your dog’s mouth don’t use it. Use a rubber solid ball instead – but take this ball away also when pieces of the rubber can off easily.

MEDICATIONS & VITAMINS: Keep these away from all pets. Did you know that a regular ASPIRIN COULD BE FATAL to your pet – especially to cats.

Alcohol, avocado, coffee, fatty foods, household cooking oils, macadamia nuts, medicines (aspirin, acetaminophen, antihistamines, etc.) moldy or spoiled foods, salt, yeast/dough.

Ammonia, balloons, bleach, bathtubs/toilets, buckets of water, cat litter boxes, curtain and window blind cords, electrical cords, drain cleaner, fireplaces, household detergents and other cleaning agents, panty hose (can cause impaction, choking) plastic bags space heaters string, stuffed toys & small children's toys (choking hazard) trash bins (contents within, too) ribbons and rubber bands.

STRING, RIBBON & TINSEL if swallowed can cause an obstruction of the intestines.

MISTLETOE & HOLLY especially the BERRIES are EXTREMELY TOXIC! The Traditional POINSETTIA is apparently mildly toxic but the POINSETTIA from HAWAII is HIGHLY TOXIC!

ARTIFICAL SNOW is also poisonous to your pets.

PINE NEEDLES: CATS can eat pine needles off the trees or drink the water from its base. This can make them quite sick. Immediate treatment can prevent further poisoning.

ORNAMENT FRAGMENTS can perforate their stomachs. STYROFOAM is dangerous to all pet’s airways & digestive tract.

ELECTROCUTION: Lights can invoke great curiosity for both cats and dogs, and it’s not uncommon for them to chew on the electrical cords. Check for FRAYED LIGHT CORDS that could cause shock or burns. CANDLES: Never leave pets unattended with candles burning.

HOLIDAY SCRAPS: We know not to give chicken or turkey bones. But any type of meat bones could cause major damage. All bones can splinter, become lodged in their mouth/esophagus, cause severe internal damage, and cut off air passages. TABLE SCRAPS can upset their tummies, cause diarrhea and/or vomiting. Don’t forget to keep your darling little rascals away from the holiday candy & alcohol!