Holiday Tips by Shireen Igbal

With the excitement of the holidays fast approaching, please remember a few simple things to ensure the safety of your dog.

The holidays are filled with yummy treats; however, caution should be applied when sharing your food with your dog. A high fat intake may be hazardous to a dog's pancreas-the organ responsible for digestive enzymes. Bones can also pose a risk by causing inflammation in the stomach and intestines. Furthermore, bones are prone to splinter, which can result in perforation of the digestive tract. Another holiday treat "no, no" is chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. Theobromine is the predominant toxic compound in chocolate, with caffeine usually in a lower concentration. Chocolate can cause gastrointestinal upset, tremors, seizures and increased heart rate.

Holiday decorations can be another hazard for your dog. If you are displaying a Christmas tree this year, make sure that the tree is anchored securely to prevent wagging tails from knocking it over. Also, make sure to pick up pine needles frequently because they can be toxic when eaten. Preventing dogs from drinking water in the tree stand is important, especially if preservative chemicals have been added. The cords for holiday lights can pose a risk for dogs that are chewers. Make sure to coat the new wires with a chew deterrent. Holiday plants can also be dangerous. Poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, amaryllis and hibiscus can aggravate digestive systems.

Guests and pets may not mix well. If guests are coming over, try to leave a room available for a quiet place to which your dog can escape. If you and your dog are planning to be guests, make sure that your dog is welcome first.

Lastly, and most importantly, do not give pets as a surprise gift. If you will be receiving a dog as a present however, try to wait until after the holidays, when your home is not so chaotic from the holiday festivities - which could overwhelm your new friend.