Fatty, rich foods, or anything your pet is not accustomed to can trigger a bout of intestinal upset.  For some animals, the holiday food treat can trigger a serious inflammation of the pancreas or intestine and severe illness.

Food that may have become spoiled is also dangerous.  This includes food that has not been eaten in the few days following preparation, especially if left out of the fridge.  Bacteria start to grow on the food and produce toxins, and when ingested by the dog or cat, these toxins cause severe gastroenteritis, with vomiting and diarrhoea.  Left over meats can be particularly prone to this spoiling.

The pet may seem quite depressed as they feel nauseous, and their abdomen may be tender,  They should be fasted except for water and watched closely.  If the pet does not seem any better within a 12 hr period or deteriorates, they should be taken to be checked by your vet immediately.  In severe cases an animal may become toxaemic (the toxins get into the blood stream) and dehydrated, and need urgent veterinary care.

All pet owners are well versed in the fact that cooked chicken or turkey bones can get caught in the pet's mouth or worse splinter and get caught in the gut.  Ensure rubbish bags and the compost bins are out of bounds for pets.

Chocolate is one of the top 20 poisonings recorded in small animals, and poisoning is more common at holiday times when chocolate is more readily available.  Dogs are more likely than cats to steal enough chocolate to make them unwell, and small dogs are more at risk of poisoning, because the toxic level is relative to body size.  Cooking and dark chocolates are most dangerous - a small 6kg dog can be poisoned by as little as 100g of dark chocolate. 

Early or mild signs of chocolate poisoning include restlessness and possibly vomiting and diarrhoea.  In severe cases, the pet may become rigid, excited and start to seizure.  If your dog ingests what you consider may be a dangerous amount of chocolate, ring your veterinary clinic for advice.

DANGEROUS DECORATIONS

Why else would that tinsel and flashing lights be stuck inside on a tree if not for the cat to pounce on and chew?  Ingested tinsel and other sharp decorations can at lease cause a nasty tummy upset, and at worse and intestinal obstruction.  Some dogs may even be inclined to break the rules of house training on a freshly cut tree - why else would anyone bring a tree into the house?  Make the tree off limits unless you're there to supervise.  Putting the tree in a room with a door that you can close is proabably the easiest solution.

HOLIDAYING PETS

If taking your pets away with you, ensure you have thought of their needs well in advance.  If they are on medication, pick up a supply some days before you leave.  Make safe travel arrangements for for your pets, ensuring they are secure if in the car and do not get overheated. (see below).  Make sure dogs and cats have clear identification on them in case they wander while at your holiday destination.  There is nothing sadder than hearing of a pet that has become lost in a strange place, where they may be very disorientated and so difficult for the owner to track.  if possible include your mobile number on the identification tag so that you can be immediately reunited if someone finds your pet.

WARM DAY AND PLAY DANGERS

Heat stroke is a real danger.  Cats have enough sense to nap on warm afternoons, but dogs do not.  If you let them, they'll go where you do, even if it's too hot.  Dogs are not good at keeping themselves cool, and they rely on us to keep them out of trouble.  When the environment is too hot the body's normal mechanism for letting off excess heat are overloaded, and can no longer function.  Heatstroke occurs when the pets body temperature reaches between 41 and 43 degrees Celcius.  At high temperatures, the cells in the vital organs, including the heart, kidneys, liver and brain, start to die, leading to organ damage and eventually failure. 

Many heatstroke accidents occur when dogs are left in the car.  Car interiors can get to extreme heats in a very short space of time, particularly if left in direct sunlight on hot summer days.  Even when the windows are left open there may be very little air movement, and there have been incidents of deaths in small dogs that cannot reach up to the car windows, even with the windows open and a drink left for them.

Heatstroke has also been reported after excessive exercise and when dogs and cats have been left confined in both interior and outdoor situations.  Limit exercise to the coolest part of the day, no matter how happy your dog is to participate when it's warmer.  Even in the cooler part of the day, watch for signs of trouble - glassy eyes and frantic panting indicate a dog who needs help.  Remember that older, obese, or short - nosed dogs are less heat tolerant.  Ensure your pet has shade, good ventilation and a drink if left anywhere on hot days.

Walking through grass or bush, be sure to check your dog afterwards for grass seeds.  The spikey seed carriers of dried grasses will burrow deep into the ears of flesh of an animal if not immediately removed from the coat, and may then need to be removed by a veterinarian.  Pay particular attention to the inner ear and between the toes.  Try not to walk dogs on very hot tarmac, as the pads of the feet can burn.  Similarly, very sharp gravel, shells or stones can bruise and cut the pads.

Serious injuries in the mouth and throat arise from dogs catching sticks thrown to them, so watch those summer beach and park games - plastic throw toys designed for the job are safer.

Insect stings are also common in summer.  Flying insects may be an irresistable temptation for dogs and cats alike, with stings common on the face and inside the mouth.  After an insect bite, watch the pet closely.  if the area starts to swell it pays to seek veterinary attention.  In NZ we are fortunate to have very few poisonous insects, but like people, some pets can have severe anaphylactic reactions, in particular if repeated stings occur.  If the animal seems uncomfortable or has trouble breathing this is an emergency situation.  Followin a severe reaction to a bite your vet will give you medicine to administer if a subsequent sting occurs.

Phew!  Now that you are keeping an eye out and have put things in place to prevent holiday mishaps, get out and enjoy the summertime with your pets!