What makes holidays special can kill pets

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SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The very things that make the holidays festive for people can make them fatal to pets, U.S. veterinarians warn.

Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the American Veterinary Medical Association, says turkey, tinsel, greasy foods, mistletoe, Christmas trees, chocolates and baked goods are all things that can result in an emergency veterinary visit.

"Consider the dog that gets into that turkey carcass," DeHaven says in a video for a pet-safe holiday. "Because of the high fat content this can cause a really serious condition called pancreatitis."

This is the time of year many veterinary hospitals report more emergency calls than any other time -- often associated with pets getting into food they simply shouldn't have, DeHaven says.

"Many of the worst poisonings during the holiday season occur when we're not at home. Be sure after Thanksgiving dinner that you put that turkey carcass out in the trash, well out of reach of your pets," DeHaven says.

Also, wrap candies or foods that may be in holiday packages because a pet has a sensitive nose and could get into those things -- and if that happens while you're not home, you wouldn't be there to help them, DeHaven recommends.