As we enter the final weeks of 2020, most of us are happy to see this challenging year come to a close. At Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital, we look forward to welcoming 2021, and are celebrating a few new beginnings. But, before we get to the new year, we want to ensure your pet finishes 2020 safely. 

Help your pet avoid holiday hazards

With tantalizing feasts, festive decor, and family gatherings, the holiday season can present a host of hazards to your furry friend. While you are busy cooking, shopping for last-minute gifts on Amazon, and making your home merry and bright, pets with a penchant for trouble may find mischief-making a little easier. Keep your pet safe through the holiday season by following these tips:

  • Don’t share toxic or dangerous foods with your pet — Holiday dishes that are people-safe, except for adding extra pounds to your waistline, can cause serious problems for your pet. Keep these toxic foods away from your furry friend:
    • Garlic, onions, shallots, and chives
    • Raw yeast dough
    • Grapes and raisins
    • Macadamia nuts
    • Chocolate
    • Sugar-free foods containing xylitol
    • Alcohol

Although they are nontoxic, high-fat foods, such as turkey trimmings, gravy, and butter-laden mashed potatoes, can cause severe pancreatic inflammation that can land your pet in the hospital for the holidays.

  • Keep Christmas decorations out of your mischievous pet’s paws — Your Christmas tree and holiday decor may seem like a houseful of sparkly new toys to your pet. But, a toppled tree or chewed electrical cord can injure a pet. If they are likely to cause trouble, put a gate around your tree, cover all electrical cords, and keep all breakable decorations out of reach.
  • Don’t bring toxic holiday plants into your home — Fresh garland, a pine centerpiece, and other Christmas plants may make your home look festive, but pets who eat them can become sick. Keep these toxic varieties away from your pet:
    • Lilies
    • Pine
    • Balsam
    • Holly
    • Mistletoe
    • Amaryllis
    • Christmas cactus

Lilies are especially poisonous to cats, who can develop acute kidney failure after eating only a small amount of any plant part, including pollen. Poinsettia plants, once believed to be extremely toxic, cause only mild irritation if eaten, which can lead to drooling, pawing at the mouth, and possible vomiting. 

  • Provide a quiet space for your pet — Your holiday gathering will likely be dialed down to include immediate family only this year, but small parties can become rowdy, too. If your pet becomes anxious around guests or loud noises, let them have a solo party in a quiet back room, complete with soft music and a special treat. 

Client communication through social media platforms

As the new year begins, we will be launching a new client communication campaign. Although we have had Facebook and Instagram accounts for some time, we will be ramping up communication through these channels, so watch for educational, informative, and entertaining posts from our team. If you haven’t yet liked us on Facebook, or followed us on Instagram, hop on and join the Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital family, so you are up to date on our latest happenings.

Welcome Rebecca

Our most exciting new beginning is Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital’s new registered veterinary technician, Rebecca. While growing up in Kitchener, Rebecca fell in love with veterinary medicine when she completed a cooperative educational placement in a veterinary hospital during high school. Rebecca loves the diversity of veterinary medicine, where her days jump from one exciting task to the next, such as educating clients, taking X-rays, and administering anesthesia. 

Rebecca previously worked at a veterinary hospital in Mumbai, India, where she adopted her three-legged cat, Boy, who presented close to death but was miraculously nursed back to health. Now he is  famous for stealing food every chance he gets, which has earned him the nickname “Food Monster.”

Rebecca loves to travel, whether an international trip or a weekend excursion to a new destination, and looks forward to future volunteer opportunities with animals, both abroad and closer to home.  Rebecca joined the Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital family after returning home from working on the East coast because, she said, “I finally wanted to settle down in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, and started looking for a clinic that shared my passion for high quality medicine and client care.” We are glad Rebecca joined our team, and look forward to getting to know her better.

We hope your family enjoys a happy, healthy holiday season, and celebrates new beginnings in 2021. If your pet gets into holiday mischief, or needs routine wellness care in the new year, give us a call.