1. Give Your Pet a Healthy Christmas
As you and your entire family sit around the dinner table this Christmas, you may be tempted to invite the dog or cat to join you as you indulge in the mountain of goodies. Christmas is all about sharing, but if you think Max and Paws might like just a taste of turkey or a few giblets, think again! That high-fat treat could land your pet in the hospital with potentially life-threatening condition called pancreatitis. It's hard to say "no" to those big brown eyes, but you should.

2. A Little Gravy to the Chow?
Still thinking about ladling a little gravy onto Max's Christmas dog chow? Our doctors recommend that pet owners completely abstain from feeding any table foods to pets. But things that typically cause problems for pets this time of the year include the giblets, bones, skin, vegetables, gravy, and stuffing.

3. Pets and Christmas Trees 101
For many of us, 'tis the season to decorate our homes with live Christmas trees and holiday greenery. But did you know that some of these yuletide traditions can be hazardous to your pet's health?
a) Lilies
Lovely lilies are commonly used in holiday floral arrangements, but many varieties-including tiger, Asian, Japanese show, stargazer and the Casablanca- can cause kidney failure in cats in ingested
b) Holly & Mistletoe
Bag the boughs of holly and live mistletoe. Sure, they add a nice touch to your holiday decor, but holly can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy if eaten by your pet. And should he sample mistletoe, he could suffer gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic
c) Water from Christmas Trees
Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria- and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.

*If you suspect that your animal companion has eaten a potentially toxic substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. A fee may apply.

Have a Safe and Happy Holidays!

Management