Christmas decorations and holiday treats may held make the

Christmas decorations and holiday treats may held make the season bright, but they can also cause problems for household pets, say experts in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech.

A few precautions can help make sure a family’s holiday spirit isn’t dampened by the untimely—and preventable-illness or injury of a beloved dog or cat.

Many problems occur when curious pets ingest foreign objects or toxic substances, says Dr. Kent Roberts, project leader, veterinary extension.

Puppies have been known to chew on ornaments, which can shatter into jagged shards of glass and cut their mouths. Similarly, petowners should avoid giving pets “presents” such as bones and toys which can break and be swallowed, obstructing the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.

Puppies and kittens are sometimes tempted to chew on Christmas tree light cords, which can cause mouth burns or a fatal shock. Even brief electric shocks can trigger and irregular heartbeat, which can cause fluid to gather in the lungs, leading to serious complications and death.

Cats are frequently attracted to tinsel, but if a cat swallows a piece, it can stimulate an accordion-like folding of the intestines-a life threatening condition.

Ornaments and tinsel should be kept out of a pet’s reach, when possible, and pet-owners should watch their animals closely, Roberts says.

A number of holiday plants and treats also pose danger for animals, says Dr. Dennis Blodgett, a veterinary toxicologist.

Chocolate, for example, contains a caffeine-like substance which is very dangerous for dogs. Two squares of baking chocolate, or just over a pound of milk chocolate, can kill a twenty pound dog, according to Dr. Blodgett.

Some common Christmas plants are also dangerous. Ingesting mistletoe can cause symptoms ranging