Last week, while losing a battle with a dog comb in Luna’s shaggy mane, I noticed an unusual, yet pleasant, fragrance on her breath. A few sniffs and I had it. Eucalyptus!

My aha moment came a few days later when I found a tidy assemblage of wrapped cough drops under a living room chair. A further search revealed the mother lode: an open bag of Ricolas on a low bathroom shelf. Busted! The proverbial jig was up. After plundering the bag, Luna had stashed her ill-gotten booty under the chair.

I knew hoarding was common among former strays. But a penchant for cough drops?

“Maybe she had a sore throat,” the vet joked. "Or, she might be part koala bear.”

Right. LOL, or whatever.

Fortunately, Luna suffered no ill effects from her self-medicating misdeeds. But after moving the objects of her shameless fancy to a higher shelf, I got online and discovered that the number one cause of poisoning in pets is human medications — prescriptions and over-the-counter items. Not only that, the holiday season is the busiest time of year for pet poison center calls.

With that in mind, here are some Yuletide safety tips to help us all ensure safe holidays for our pets:

• Besides cough drops, keep these poisonous items out of your pet’s reach: eucalyptus, holly, amaryllis bulbs, lilies, mistletoe, chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions and nuts. Make sure your pet can’t get into the garbage, where tempting poultry bones might be. These can splinter, damaging your pet’s digestive system.

   

• Don’t allow your pet to to drink the Christmas tree water. Stagnant water can harbor harmful bacteria. Use only non-toxic tree water products. Don’t use aspirin in the water, as this can be toxic, even fatal, to some pets. Consider blocking off the tree area to prevent pet access to electrical cords, tree water, gifts and tree ornaments.

 

• Poinsettia plants, while still considered toxic, aren't nearly as harmful as we used to think, according to the ASPCA. Ingesting the plant may cause vomiting and/or diarrhea, but not death.

 

• If you use tinsel, hang it high and securely on the tree. Cats in particular can be tempted by tinsel, which can cause choking and intestinal blockage.

 

• Tape down or cover tree light wires and other cords to prevent shocks or burns. Unplug lights when you’re not home. Some dogs eat glass ornaments, so hang them high. Snow globes often contain antifreeze, which has a sweet smell and is poisonous to pets.

 

• Anchor your Christmas tree to the ceiling with string to prevent it from falling on curious pets. Keep pet areas free of pine needles. If ingested, these can puncture the intestinal tract.

 

The bustling activity and flocks of guests during the holidays can stress pets, triggering digestive upset. Make sure your pets have a safe retreat in your home, have access to plenty of water and that they wear current ID tags in case of escape.

In spite of our best efforts, a pet may eat something poisonous. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, call one of the following numbers:

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) 24-hour emergency hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP (1-888 426-4435). There is a $65 consultation fee for this service, since the center has toxicologists and veterinarians available 24/7.

   

• The Children’s Hospital of Michigan has a Regional Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222.

Keep phone numbers for your vet and a local emergency vet service in a prominent location. The ASPCA advises being ready with the following information:

• The species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved.

   

• The animal’s symptoms.

   

• Information regarding the exposure, including the agent (poison), if known, the amount of the agent involved and the time elapsed since the time of exposure.
  Have the product packaging, if any, available for reference.

If your pet is having seizures, is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing, call ahead, and bring your pet immediately to the vet or emergency vet clinic. If necessary, call the APCC or Regional Poison Control Center.

In a sealable plastic bag, collect anything your pet may have vomited or chewed. This may help the vet and/or toxicologist determine the poison(s) involved.

If you see your pet consuming a potentially toxic substance, seek emergency help, even if you don’t notice any adverse effects. That's because a poisoned animal may appear normal for hours or even days after the incident.

I’m happy to say that Luna is quite fit and awaits the coming holidays with frisky affect. Her hair remains as rebellious as she herself, but her throat is just grand. True, she's been naughty, but I hesitate to give her coal in her stocking. It might be toxic...

Judy DiForte is a professional organizer for The Betty Brigade, a full-service personal assistance and concierge company based in Ann Arbor. Email her at Judy@bettybrigade.com.