This favorite holiday tradition can prove deadly to pets!
Three simple ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water
can be mixed, flattened, and shaped into the doggone cutest tree ornaments, but if ingested by the family dog, joy can turn tragic due to the abundance of salt in the recipe! Additional complications can arise from the paint and glitter that make the design sparkle, and…the hook the ornament hangs from! Cats too can suffer from eating bread dough ornaments, yet they are less likely to consume the decoration.
Salt toxicity, also known as hypernatremia, can result in the death of your pet! Signs include:
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Lack of coordination, tremors, seizures
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy or collapse
If creating dough ornaments is a family tradition, take extra measures to hang them high on the tree out of paws reach and secure the tree to the ceiling so that it cannot topple down. If your pet consumes a dough ornament, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately for life-saving measures.
Although labeled non-toxic, non-allergenic, and even non-irritating, it is important to note that children’s Playdoh is made from the same three ingredients: water, salt, and flour, so if ingested by pets, the same ill effects can result. Some homemade playdough recipes also contain tartaric acid (potassium bitartrate ), the deadly toxin also found in grapes. Be aware of doggie dangers and keep them out of paws reach by signing up for a Pet First Aid Class today by contacting Creature Comforts Pet Services at [email protected]