Community Corner

Top Holiday Hazards for the Canine, Feline Crowd

The holidays are wonderful but also pose some dangers for man's best friend.

While one might think it's the sweater that Aunt Gertie straps to the family schnauzer year after year, there are, in fact, far worse holiday hazards that could befall the family pet.

So there's Uncle Jake at the holiday table. He's happily devoured a plate of fatty spare ribs and wants to share the bones with the family dog.

Just say no.

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The holiday season presents a feast of health hazards to your cats, dogs and any other family pets that might pad about residents' tables, floors or festive decorations. What might be acceptable to one animal's digestive tract will land another in the emergency room.

That's why veterinary experts say to avoid feeding Fido or Fluffy holiday food scraps.

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In particular, they also say to keep pets away from these items, which could be toxic to pets:

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Chocolate (baker's, semi-sweet, milk chocolate)
  • Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate-covered espresso beans)
  • Onions, onion powder
  • Fatty foods and salt
  • Yeast dough
  • Christmas tree water: It might contain fertilizers, which, if ingested, could cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water could be a breeding ground for bacteria, which could also lead to vomiting, nausea and diarrhea if ingested.
  • Electric cords: Avoid animal exposure to electric cords. They could electrocute a pet. Cover up or hide the cords. Never let a pet chew on them.
  • Ribbons or tinsel: These could get caught up in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction.
  • Batteries: They contain corrosives. If ingested, then they could cause ulcerations to the mouth, tongue and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Potpourri: Though popular household fragrances are commonly used during the holiday season, pets are often exposed to liquid potpourri by direct ingestion from simmer pots or spills, or by rubbing against leaky bottles or simmer pots containing the potpourri, or from spilling the containers upon themselves. Exposure could result in severe oral, dermal and ocular damage.

Experts suggest pet owners keep telephone numbers for their veterinarians, a local emergency veterinary service and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-4 ANI-HELP) in a convenient location.

If a resident thinks his or her pet has ingested something poisonous, then seek medical attention immediately.

Here's one nearby 24-hour animal clinic:
New York Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center
2233 Broadhollow Road (Route 110)
Farmingdale, NY 11735
631-694-3400

Or you can visit:


350 Montauk Highway
631-226-2288


642 Route 109
631-694-0330


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