Beware of what you feed your pet

Pet owners should be careful this holiday season because every year hundreds of pets are rushed to emergency rooms after being fed traditional human holiday fixings.

Tender slices of turkey breasts drenched in gravy with mashed potatoes, a bowl of stuffing, a side of coleslaw, some candied yams, and a large chunk of pumpkin pie might seem like the sum of a perfect gut-busting meal for a human, but to a pet, it only adds up to trouble.

Especially in the cases of canines and felines. The Press- Telegram reported that death is not an uncommon result of pets feeding on human foods.

The article reports that chocolate posts the most danger to dogs because it contains a stimulant called theobromine, which attacks a dogs heart and nervous system usually resulting in death.

A small Hershey's Kiss might seem harmless to a human, but a 10-pound dog has the potential to die from swallowing only an ounce of baker's chocolate.

A feline's most hazardous holiday treat according to Christine Arnold, the Humane Society's executive director, is the string used to tie the turkey legs.

Pet owners usually overlook this small cooking tool, but cats tend be attracted to the twine because of the turkey juice and aromas the string soaks up.

The string commonly gets lodged in the cat's throat causing it to choke, and usually suffocate to death.

Much like humans, high-fat and high-cholesterol foods also post a danger to pets due to clogging arteries and obesity.

Jennifer Gates, an assistant at the Arcadia Animal Hospital, said "foods rich in fat can cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is eventually life-threatening if not detected."

Another major hazard that reoccurs every year are pets consuming turkey bones. "Bones usually get caught in throats, but the major concern comes when the bones move further down and have the potential to puncture the esophagus and main intestines," said Gates.

Arnold suggests that pet owners should try to keep all holiday foods out of the reach and temptations of their pets. She said a good idea is to tie up all loose remains such as the twine and turkey carcasses, and seal them in the tight bag.

She also feels a pet owner's duty is to resist their pet's puppy dog eyes and feed me routines.

The best way to avoid having to unexpectedly see a veterinarian during the holidays is to be aware of everything around the kitchen, including what's thrown away.