Unleashed: Fact or Fiction: Keeping your pet safe over the holidays - A blog for animal lovers on pets, dogs, cats, shelters and animal rescue

Seems like it was just Halloween (remember, YES! chocolate can be toxic for dogs) and already more holidays are upon us. With them comes abnormally large amounts of good smelling food, a deluge of loved and tolerated visitors, and the festooning of homes with berry-laden plant life, brightly colored plastic, and burning candles – all of which can spell trouble, or at least stress, for your dog or cat, and maybe you.

The Internet is full of holiday pet safety warnings – some real ones, some imagined ones. Here, in an attempt to separate the fact from the fiction, is a list of 10 things to watch out for.

1. Turkey is bad for dogs. Not true! Turkey bones are (they can splinter), and gorging on turkey fat can cause pancreatitis (take note, Uncle Fred), but turkey meat – despite the fretting on many internet forums – poses no danger to dogs.

2. Poinsettias can be toxic for pets. True! The stems, leaves and flowers of the plan can all cause vomiting and diarrhea. If your pet has munched on the poinsettias, (or, for that matter, azaleas, amaryllis, Japanese Yew, English Ivy, Eucalyptus, mistletoe or holly) consult a veterinarian.

3. Pine needles are toxic to pets. True and false. While intestinal problems can result when a dog swallows too many needles, your Christmas tree might pose a bigger threat to your cat. Pine oils are toxic to cats. Makes sure your pets have plenty of water, so they’re not tempted to slurp from the Christmas tree holder

4. Tinsel can kill your pet. Theoretically, yes it can cause trouble. Like rubber bands, ribbon or any long stringy object, it can cause an intestinal obstruction and even a fatal case of peritonitis. If you should see tinsel or any other possibly long object protruding for you pets mouth or (warning, the word “rectum” is coming up) rectum, don’t try to pull it out. Instead, consult your vet.

5. Electric lights. These pose a triple threat. One, the glass bulbs, if chewed, could injure a dog or cat both externally and internally. Two, chewing through the cord can cause electrocution or electric burns. Three, strung out electric cords – as you may know – are easily tripped over by pet and human and can topple the tree.

6. Candles. Most dogs know enough not to stick their nose in a flame. Cats, too. But candles are easily knocked over. Put them where that’s not likely to happen.

7. Ahhh, dessert. Your best bet is to keep them all away from your pet. Chocolate is toxic to them, and other sweets don’t do them any good either. Grapes and raisins are also toxic to dogs.

8. The crowds. With a lot of new and strange humans in the house, your dog or cat could get stressed out by the holiday hub-bub. Then again, they might love it. It all depends on personality. – that of your pet and that of your visitors. Your finicky aunt may not like a wet nose nuzzling her support hose. Then again, your dog may find the decibel level of your brother-in-law a tad higher than he is used to. Play it by ear.

9. Decorations on the tree. Don’t use cookie ornaments. That would be asking for it. Don’t use breakable or splinter-able ornaments. In fact, if you have a puppy, or a particularly playful cat, you might want to keep the ornaments to a minimum until next year.

10. The presents under the tree. These, too, can intrigue your pet, especially if you have a dog that likes to unwrap things, and especially if any of the things might contain food product. Young dogs and bored dogs and home-alone dogs might decide to start Christmas early.

OK, then, now that you see danger lurking around every corner, enjoy your holidays. Don’t freak out. Just do what’s right for your pet.

And be thankful that you have each other.