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Avoid Holiday Pet Hazards S TAFF R EPORT P HOTOGRAPHY BY D I A NNA P AULK T HE HOLIDAYS ARE A BUSY TIME OF YEAR THAT INVOLVES A LOT OF SEASONAL DECORATING , COOKING , AND VISITING FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY . S OME OF THESE CHANGES CAN BE ROUGH AND EVEN DANGEROUS FOR YOUR PETS . elp prepare your pets for the holiday season by sticking to their routine as much as pos- sible. You also want to keep them safe from the new objects surrounding them. Follow these tips for avoiding common holiday hazards and keeping your pet stress-free. H OLIDAY P LANTS You have heard of Christmas pet hazards like poinsettias, but these holiday favorites are rarely and mildly harmful to your pets. There are, however, some festive plants to keep out of reach from your dog or cat. Holly's spiky leaves contain a toxin called saponins. Pets are un- able to digest this substance which produces extreme gastroin- testinal problems. This leads to vomiting and diarrhea. Make sure you hang your holly high and keep it secure from your pets. Placing some mistletoe on the ceiling may bring you and your loved one comfort and joy, but not so much for a pet who decides it will be his dinner. The berries on mistletoe are poisonous to an- imals, ranging from mild stomach issues to death. C HOCOLATE The holidays mean more chocolate goodies lying around. While this might only add to your future diet plans, if ingested by your pet, chocolate can be deadly. It contains theobromine which is difficult for animals to digest. This means it takes a long time for the chocolate to go through their body, leading to a buildup of toxins. Small amounts cause stomach aches, but, large amounts 34 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com LIVING WELL..................................................................................................................................... H