Can you believe that the holiday season is already upon us? Pretty soon we’ll forget all about those 100+ degree days and be enjoying the reason we all live in Arizona. Over the next three months, not only will we be enjoying cooler weather, but we will also be celebrating our favorite holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Before everyone becomes busy with seasonal preparations, we’d like to offer a few reminders about some dangers our pets may face during this time of year.
Halloween presents one of the common dangers to pets; exposure to candy. Dogs love to get into the kid’s Halloween stash and empty the bag before you even notice! Cocoa & chocolate contain Theobromine, a chemical that can affect heart rhythm & cause vomiting, 
diarrhea and seizures if ingested by pets. Not only is the chocolate candy a concern, but also the tin foil and plastic wrappers. You can’t trust Mr. Kitty to stay clear of these tempting treats either! The best case scenario can be a raging case of diarrhea, with the worst being a lengthy hospitalization and/or surgery to remove a foreign object.
Injuries are also another problem at Halloween. With all the activity around the house and neighborhood, cats and dogs get nervous and may run away. This leads to an increase in pets being hit by cars. On the reverse, animals themselves can cause injury due to an increase in fear and territorial instincts which can result in children getting bitten. Both problems can be eliminated by just keeping the goodies hidden and keeping you pet safety confined in the house during trick-or-treating.
Thanksgiving poses the threat of increased table scraps. With out-of-town guests and kids running rampant, it is quite simple for our pets to grab a snack from the table or even trash. (not to mention everyone sneaking a piece of turkey to Fido.) Some have even been known to pull a whole turkey from the kitchen counter! Unfortunately, human food given anytime can cause a condition called Pancreatitis, which results in severe vomiting, diarrhea, and intense abdominal pain. The bones from a turkey can also cause an obstruction which may ultimately lead to surgery.
Christmas brings several more dangers. Not only do the table scraps & candy pose a threat, but also the tree and its
ornaments can be hazards. Trees can be pulled over & broken ornaments can cut paws and skin. Electrical cords can cause a shock and tinsel, ribbons and yarn can require surgery to be removed. Some holiday plants are 
also toxic to your pet such as holly, amaryllis, mistletoe, poinsettia & Christmas cactus.
Remember, it is always easier to prevent a disaster than to react to one. Keep danger out of your pet’s reach.
