Holiday Hazards For Pets From 'Behavior Dogtor' Dr. Rachel Malamed

STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — Should the host's pet be a guest at a dinner party?

Dr. Rachel Malamed stopped by KCAL9 Friday to talk about the holiday hazard for pets and how to pet proof the house.

These are the tips she shared:

Table scraps

Mother was right; don't feed the dog under the table. Fat, gravies, rich meats, and other savory table scraps can be very dangerous for your pets, particularly dogs. It's not unusual for dogs to come down with a life-threatening disease called pancreatitis after being offered too many "treats" by misguided, but loving, owners or after the animal has raided the garbage following a holiday feast. Pancreatitis causes profuse vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain and in servere cases, death. Bring your dog into the veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has pancreatitis.

Candy

There are a number of things in candy that is bad for pets, but among the worst is the wrapper. Dogs and cats won't bother to un-wrap the candy, they'll just swallow it, and the wrapper can cause an intestinal blockage. In fact, animals have been known to eat the wrapper by itself, because it smells good, and get a blockage. Keep candy out of a pets' reach, and clean up those delicious wrappers.

Decorative injuries

Your pets may enjoy seeing the new decorations in your home as much as you do. Trees to climb, garland to hang from, extension cords to chew—the introduction of festive decor can cause potential injuries. In a house with pets, a good method of avoiding tree climbing injuries for pets is to mount the Christmas tree to the ceiling or wall very securely using fishing line. Hide extension cords away and don't let your pets near them, along with other decorations.

Tasty decorations

Some decorations are so pretty that they look good enough to eat. Unfortunately, dogs and cats often take this sentiment literally. Cats often eat tinsel, leading to severe intestinal problems that could require surgery. Potpourri smells wonderful and people love to use it to create holiday ambiance. Unfortunately, it smells so good that pets have been known to drink from the potpourri pot or even eat the wet, fragrant wood chips. This can make an animal sick.

Flowers and plants

Many times we put out new plants, flowers or trimmings, depending on the holiday, and these can be poisonous and deadly. For example, poinsettias and mistletoe, common in Christmas celebrations, are dangerous if swallowed by a dog. Don't let your pet eat Christmas tree needles and don't add any toxic chemicals to your Christmas tree water, because your pet may decide to take a drink under the tree.

Sugar-free snacks

Xylitol is a common artificial sweetener in baked goods and sugar-free gum and candy. It's also poisonous for dogs. It can be deadly, particularly if the animal gets into a lot of it, or it's a small dog. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs includes depression, loss of coordination and seizures, and they can start in as little as 30 minutes after the animal has ingested the sweetener. This is another reason to make sure you keep your pets away from holiday treats, table scraps and candy.

Chocolate

Chocolate is a big part of many holiday celebrations, but not for pets. The chemical that is poisonous to dogs is in the cocoa of chocolate, theobromine, so the darker the chocolate the deadlier. Be wary of pets sniffing around the new and popular extra-dark chocolates. Baking chocolate has by far the most theobromine, and can be deadly in small amounts. Symptoms of theobromine poisoning can set in in just a couple hours, so call your veterinarian immediately if you discover your pet has consumed chocolate. Save the wrappers of any chocolates consumed, because your veterinarian will want to know how much your pooch has consumed.

Guests

Many pets can become downright panicked when faced with a lot of new visitors. Some dogs and cats can become so upset that they can do damage your furniture and walls, themselves or your guest. If you know your pet is uneasy about houseguests and you have some friends coming over, don't not panic; consult with your veterinarian to find a solution.

Candles

A lit candle can provide a real hazard. Your animals could knock it down and set their fur, or your home, on fire. Never leave a pet alone with a lit candle.

Pets as presents

The American Veterinary Medical Association advises against giving pets as presents, because the recipient doesn't have the opportunity to have an active role in selecting the animal … or the opportunity to consider the responsibilities of owning that particular pet. Pets need healthy food, exercise, love, training, attention, and they need regular veterinary visits to keep them healthy and free of pain and distress. Rather than giving a living pet on a busy holiday where the noise and activity may cause them distress, consider giving a "certificate" entitling them to help select a pet or wrap a water bowl or other item the new pet will need.

For more information, visit Behavior Dogtor.