WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Nov. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When planning your Christmas-time decorations, the team at Best Friends Animal Hospital reminds pet owners to be careful with their plants. It’s common to bring in traditional holiday foliage like poinsettias, holly, or mistletoe, but all of these actually have the risk of hurting or poisoning your pets who may happen to nibble on the new arrivals.
Veterinarians at Best Friends Animal Hospital reminds owners that “Christmas festivities may be a time for fun and traditions for many people, but it’s also a time when we see more pets needing help because of all the new things that are in the home for the season, from food to decorations to plants. Pet owners need to be aware of these risks, and either do without a certain item, look for safer alternatives, or keep the items far from a pet’s reach.”
Poinsettias, for instance, aren’t technically known to be poisonous to animals, but the leaves often include sap that can irritate an animal’s throat. Or they may include pesticides or dyes that can also cause indigestion or worse.
Holly leaves are sharp, which can hurt mouths. The leaves and berries can also cause indigestion, vomiting or diarrhea. Plants also may have been sprayed with pesticides, which can help make it look nice and grow well, but the chemicals can also hurt animals if ingested.
Mistletoe is especially toxic to animals and can cause severe indigestion, including dramatic drops in blood pressure breathing problems and hallucinations or unusual behavior. Large amounts can lead to seizures or rapid death.
In their experience, the clinic states that pet owners sometimes get excited about the lovely decorations but don’t always consider the risk to animals. “We don’t want to tell people to get rid of all plants or not put up any decorations,” states the Winnipeg-area veterinary hospital. “But we want to increase awareness and for owners to be cautious of what their pet could get into. Some owners prefer artificial plants and trees, which can also sicken animals, especially if they chew on leaves, branches or berries while seeking roughage. Sharp needles can also cause internal damage.
Puppies and kittens are especially susceptible to hurting themselves. They’re not as familiar yet with safe and unsafe items in your home, and also have smaller body weights so toxins may affect them more severely. Pet owners with questions about whether a holiday plant is fine or toxic are welcome to call and schedule an appointment with the talented staff at Best Friends Animal Hospital.
“We’re always available to offer our expertise to help identify plants anytime, not just around Christmas,” said the clinic. “We know people love plants and flowers in and outside their homes – but so do our pets.”
Best Friends Animal Hospital offers a variety of wellness services for pets in the Winnipeg area. For more information visit www.bestfriendsvet.ca or call (204) 269-4451.