The holidays were not so great for 8-year-old cat Bella last year, nor for her owner, Amanda Tollen, of Conshohocken, Pa. Tollen shelled out $1,004 in veterinarian bills after Bella swallowed gift ribbon two days after Christmas.
Holiday-week emergency visits to the vet can cost twice as much as at other times during the year, according to Petplan, a Pennsylvania company that offers pet insurance. The average claim paid for food poisoning is $585, and $1,327 for foreign object removal, Petplan reported.
Tollen had pet insurance that covered the majority of her bill.
Petplan recommended the following items be kept away from pets:
>> Bows and ribbons: These are easily swallowed by pets, resulting in expensive surgery. Make sure to toss gift wrappings in the trash.
>> Fruitcake and pannettone: Fruitcake contains a dangerous trio of ingredients — currants, raisins and nuts — that can make pets sick. In addition, the alcohol in these treats can be deadly to dogs and cats.
>> Holiday plants: Keep toxic Christmas lilies away from cats, and avoid pet contact with the milky, white sap in poinsettias, which can cause a rash.
>> Coffee and hot chocolate: Keep coffee mug gift sets, which may contain beans or cocoa, out of reach of pets. Caffeine can result in hyperactivity, elevated heart rates and seizures.
>> Boxed chocolates: The theobromine in chocolate is toxic for dogs and cats, and can be fatal if ingested. Keep all chocolates away from pets.
