While it may be tempting to sneak your furry friend a treat during the holidays, be sure to use precautions regarding what you share. Passing your pet foods that may be safe for your consumption, may cause health complications for your pet.

Here’s how you can keep your pet out of the vet’s office during the holiday season.

Food

We all know that it is not advisable to feed your pet chocolate, but there are still other holiday foods that you may want to be careful about dropping.

One of them is onion. Onions may cause anemia in cats and dogs, said Stephanie Mara, kennel technician at Barrow County Animal Control. Mara said that grapes and raisins may also be dangerous for your pet as some dogs could experience acute kidney failure. Avocados, macadamia nuts, garlic and apples are also not so good for your friend’s stomach.

It is, however, most important to reconsider sharing high fat food items, said Mara, because they can result in life-threatening problems like pancreatitis. Cooked bones should not be given to your pet because they may splinter and get lodged in their throats.

Décor

Remain mindful of the plants that you choose to decorate with as well as pets tend to nibble on holiday plants around the home.

Plants such as poinsettias and lilies can cause upset stomachs. Mara said that consumption of pine needles could cause mild or severe complications such as vomiting or diarrhea.

Keep those Christmas trees away from your cat to avoid gastrointestinal obstructions. Cats can ingest tree decorations such as tinsel, strings, ribbons and yarn. Cats are physically unable to cough these items back up due to hairs on their tongues.

The holidays may be overwhelming for pets because of all of the people in and out of your home. Mara advises keeping an eye out on your furry companion so that your home remains a safe place during the holiday season.

Jada Bowman is a senior majoring in journalism at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.