{"id":5858,"date":"2021-03-16T00:37:31","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T00:37:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=5858"},"modified":"2021-03-16T00:37:31","modified_gmt":"2021-03-16T00:37:31","slug":"seven-st-patricks-day-pet-dangers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/seven-st-patricks-day-pet-dangers\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven St. Patrick\u2019s Day Pet Dangers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"cat,<\/p>\n

Happy St. Patrick\u2019s Day!<\/span><\/span> No matter your heritage, this holiday has become a day to celebrate Irish culture with traditional foods, beers, music, dancing, and green \u2013 green everywhere! With parades and usual festivities canceled due to the pandemic,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>we’re<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>left with the option to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>celebrate at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>P<\/span><\/span>ets\u00a0<\/span><\/span>will therefore have more exposure<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to potential\u00a0<\/span><\/span>toxins and hazards.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>But you don’t have to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>trust your pet\u2019s health\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to luck<\/span><\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>P<\/span><\/span>rotect\u00a0<\/span><\/span>them<\/span><\/span>\u00a0by keeping them away from these seven common St. Patrick\u2019s Day pet dangers!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"green<\/p>\n

1. Alcohol<\/h4>\n

Whether\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0green beer, a Grasshopper cocktail, or any other\u00a0festive\u00a0<\/span>alcoholic beverage<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 DO NOT share any alcohol with your pets. A pet\u2019s liver cannot tolerate alcohol<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0so even\u00a0<\/span>tiny amounts<\/span>\u00a0can significantly affect your pet. Both ethanol and hops cause alcohol intoxication<\/span>,<\/span> so home brewers,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>keep pets out of your brewing area.<\/span>\u00a0If you do\u00a0<\/span>enjoy an alcoholic beverage at home, <\/span>do<\/span>n\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0leave\u00a0<\/span>containers<\/span>\u00a0unattended. If\u00a0<\/span>there\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0a spill, put your pets\u00a0<\/span>elsewhere<\/span>\u00a0until\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0completely cleaned up. Having company over? Remind guests of these rules<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"shamrocks,<\/p>\n

2. Shamrocks<\/h4>\n

This plant\u00a0<\/span>is not<\/span>\u00a0lucky for pets<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0Shamrocks\u00a0<\/span>contain<\/span>\u00a0soluble calcium oxalates (oxalic acid) and are toxic to both cats and dogs. Fortunately, shamrocks taste bitter so\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0not likely your pet will eat a large amoun<\/span>t<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0but<\/span>\u00a0if they\u00a0<\/span>should<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>they<\/span>\u00a0may experience drooling, vomiting, diarrhea,\u00a0<\/span>lethargy<\/span>, and head shaking. In severe cases, low blood calcium and kidney failure may occur. As with\u00a0<\/span>all<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>toxic plants<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>it\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0best to keep shamrocks out of your pet\u2019s reach and away from areas where your pet\u00a0<\/span>resides<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"corned<\/p>\n

3. Traditional Irish Foods<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Many favorite St. Patrick\u2019s Day dishes contain ingredients that can be hazardous to pets. Irish Soda Bread<\/span>\u00a0has a<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>yeast dough<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>is very dangerous to pets if eaten prior to baking<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>raisins<\/span><\/a>\u00a0are toxic to pets. Corned beef\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0cabbage contain a\u00a0<\/span>lot\u00a0<\/span>of sodium which can cause salt poisoning.\u00a0<\/span>Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks are also toxic \u2013 even in powdered form.\u00a0<\/span>Sweet<\/span>s may <\/span>contain<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>chocolate<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>xylitol<\/span><\/a>\u00a0–<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>both are toxic<\/span>\u00a0to pets. If you choose to share human food with your pet, double-check that the ingredients aren\u2019t toxic or high in fat or sugar<\/span>\u00a0– p<\/span>ets who eat sugary or fatty foods are at higher risk of\u00a0<\/span>developing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>pancreatitis<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"chocolate<\/p>\n

4. Chocolate Coins<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Giving your human kiddos a bag of chocolate coins? Remind them not to leave the chocolates or the wrappers where your pet can find them. Not only\u00a0is\u00a0<\/span>chocolate<\/span><\/a>\u00a0toxic to pets, but\u00a0<\/span>foil wrappers can cause a bowel obstruction which is life-threatening and\u00a0<\/span>may require<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>emergency surgery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"beads,<\/p>\n

5. Plastic Beads<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

If you<\/span>\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0dressing up at home and wearing green plastic bead necklaces, be cautious! Pets, especially cats, may confuse the necklace for a toy. If swallowed, the string can cause an intestinal obstruction th<\/span>at\u00a0<\/span>may require\u00a0<\/span>emergency surgery. Also, t<\/span>he beads are a choking hazard\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>can get<\/span>\u00a0stuck in the pet\u2019s stomach or intestines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"green<\/p>\n

6. Dyes<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

While it may s<\/span>ound like<\/span>\u00a0fun to dye your pet\u2019s fur green, we don\u2019t recommend\u00a0<\/span>it<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0Dyes can cause skin irritation, which can be severe. They can also be toxic if your pet licks the dye\u00a0<\/span>off<\/span>\u00a0their fur. If<\/span>\u00a0y<\/span>ou do choose to dye your pet\u2019s fur green, make sure the dye is\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>\u00a0non-toxic, temporary<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>vegetable<\/span>-based<\/span>\u00a0dye. Also, please refrain from sharing any St. Patrick\u2019s Day human goodies with your pet. If your pet steals that green frosted cupcake, the commercial food dye may cause an upset stomach or an\u00a0<\/span>allergic reaction<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(in addition to the risk of potential toxins and\u00a0<\/span>pancreatitis<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"cat,<\/p>\n

7. Green Attire\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

If your pet tolerates and enjoys the bow ties, handkerchiefs, sweaters, and any other green attire\u2026go for it!\u00a0<\/span>But<\/span>\u00a0we have a few rules:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Always supervise your pet while they wear attire or accessories.<\/span>\u00a0If you<\/span>r<\/span>\u00a0pet shows any signs of discomfort or distress, remove the item<\/span>s<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Choose<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>t<\/span>he\u00a0<\/span>appropriate\u00a0<\/span>size<\/span>\u00a0for your pet.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Your<\/span>\u00a0pet\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>vision<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or movement should<\/span>\u00a0not\u00a0<\/span>be\u00a0<\/span>restricted.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Avoid any items that have\u00a0<\/span>small embellishments like sequins or beads<\/span>\u00a0that can cause a choking hazard or get stuck in your pet\u2019s digestive tract.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    We hope you and your pets have a safe St. Patrick\u2019s Day! If your pet does get into any of these items or experiences any type of emergency,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our ER <\/span><\/span>hospitals<\/span><\/span> in St. Paul and Oakdale are open 24\/7. Please call ahead so we know to expect you. <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n