• Lilies -  
• This flower could be deadly to your cat. Many types of lily, such as Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer and the Casa Blanca, can cause kidney failure in cats.   

• Poinsettias -  
• If ingested, poinsettias can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, and may cause mild vomiting or nausea.

• Mistletoe -  
• Has the potential to cause cardiovascular problems. However, ingestion usually only causes gastrointestinal problems.

• Holly  -  
• Ingestion could cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and lethargy.  

HAZARDS AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE:

• Christmas Tree -
• Pets may eat the needles (even from artificial trees), which could cut your pets mouth or worse, create a foreign body. Pets may also drink the water at the base of the tree (see below for more information).   

• Christmas Tree Water -  
• Pets may drink the water at the base of the tree and it may contain fertilizer, which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can be breeding grounds for bacteria, which can lead to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, if ingested.  

• Ribbon, Tinsel or Garland -  
• Make sure these are kept out of reach and properly disposed of. If swallowed, any of these can require emergency surgery to remove. Tinsel also has sharp edges that can put your pets mouth. 

• Ornaments -  
• Hang ornaments out of reach of your pet. Dogs, especially, may eat ornaments or wire hangers, which can get caught in the stomach and intestines. Glass ornaments can be knocked off the tree and broken resulting in cut feet or mouths. 

• Electrical Cords -  
• Keep all electrical cords out of the reach of your pet. Pets may chew dangling wires and be burned or electrocuted.  

HOLIDAY FOODS: 

• Chocolate -  
• Keep all holiday foods away from your pet. Chocolate contains ingredients (example: caffeine) that can be lethal to dogs and cats.

• Fatty Foods -  
• Fatty foods can be dangerous to your pets. It can cause problems ranging from simple indigestion or a touch of diarrhea to potentially life-threatening pancreatitis. 

• Turkey Bones -  
• Never give your pet cooked bones. They could splinter and cause obstructions and lacerations within the digestive system. 

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Antifreeze -  
• This has a pleasant taste for pets, unfortunately, very small amounts can be lethal. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to cats; less than four teaspoons can be dangerous to a 10-pound dog.   

If your pet comes into contact with any of these products please call the ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680  

 
Some of you may be getting a brand new puppy or kitten this holiday season. One thing you might consider when adopting a new little fur-baby is pet insurance. You never know what may happen. But which insurance company do you choose? There are many companies from which to choose. 

1. Insurance differs -  
• All pet insurance is not the same. Some insurance plans cover accidents to your pet, but not illnesses. Some plans cover treatment of cancer, some don't. It can be confusing, so you will need to do some research.
2. Don't just look at the price -  
• An inexpensive rate is no bargain if your insurance company denies your pet's claim. Cheaper policies tend to provide less coverage. Will the cheapest pet policy cover your dog's cancer treatment? Probably not.
3. You can use any veterinarian you want -  
• Not sure if your existing vet takes pet insurance? Don't worry, this is not an issue. All pet insurance companies will allow claims from any licensed veterinarian.
4. You have to pay the veterinary bill out of your own pocket -  
• With human health insurance, your doctor invoices your insurance company and you may never even see the bill. However, with pet insurance, you have to pay your veterinary bill and then submit your claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. (This is because pet insurance  is considered a form of property insurance).
5. Pre-existing conditions are not covered -  
• Not ever. Think of it this way: if you got into a car accident and then tried to buy auto insurance the next day, do you think it would be fair to expect the insurance company to pay for your accident? Me neither.
6. Is pet insurance worth it? -  
• Pet insurance protects you from large, unexpected vet bills. If you are the type of owner who does not want to choose between going into debt or putting your pet down, pet insurance is for you.

How do you compare pet insurances?:

1. How to compare between companies - 
   • Finding the right pet insurance can be tricky if you don't keep a few things in mind before you begin. A number of variables are involved but once you get into your research, you will find that shopping for pet insurance is very  similar to shopping for human health insurance.
2. Keep in mind the basics -  
   • The language and issues are much the same as human health insurance.  
   • Almost all policies cover accident / injuries and illness / diseases, and many have provisions for reimbursement for routine preventative care like vaccinations, heartworm medicines, annual physicals and so on.  
   • Almost all policies from all carriers have deductibles, and most also have certain exclusions for some breeds of dogs or cats, pre-existing conditions and genetically transmitted conditions.

These are the questions you should be asking your agent or yourself while you are shopping for pet insurance:

1. What does it cover?
• This refers to the illnesses, conditions, accidents and wellness care the insurance company will pay for during a year's time. Coverage varies widely and is linked to the annual premium.
2. How much will you pay per year?
   • This is the amount you pay per year for coverage.  Most companies bill premiums on a monthly basis. Monthly premiums range from $10 a month to $50 and upwards. Currently the average premium for pet health insurance is $25 - $30. Most companies offer discounts for insuring multiple pets and for pre-payment of 12 months of coverage in one lump sum.
3. What is the deductable?
   • This is the amount you have to pay before the insurance company will begin paying for vet bills. Usually companies have deductibles for the year, deductibles per incident (accident, illness, or disease) and per vet office visit.
4. Do you have a Co-Pay?
   • This is the amount of money the pet owner must pay per vet visit or treatment, and is in addition to the deductible amount.
5. What is excluded?
   • Exclusions are just that: breeds, pre-existing conditions, and age of the pet that are not covered by a policy. Most companies exclude some breeds of cats or dogs, will not cover (or offer limited coverage of) pre-existing conditions, and exclude genetically transmitted conditions.
6. Are there Annual Caps on coverage?
   • Caps refer to the upper limit a company will pay for a condition, disease or accident. Usually there are "per incident" caps and "annual" caps for the amount of money a company will pay for these things. Some companies have caps on the amount they will pay "per incident" for the life span of a pet.
7. How do I get reimbursed and how long does it typically take?
   • Unlike health insurance for people, pet insurance companies expect the pet owner to pay the vet for services rendered at the time they occur and to file insurance claims with the company for re-imbursement of the portion of the fees that are covered under the policy. The good news is most pet insurance companies reimburse policy holders quickly, sometimes within a month of filing a claim.
8. Are there Renewal Rate increases?
   • Pet insurance policies have clauses concerning allowable rate increases at the time of annual policy renewal. These can be tied to inflation in the cost of veterinary care and, unfortunately the claims you have filed for vet fees for a pet during the previous year. Occasionally, a company will refuse coverage for a pet that has had expensive vet care in the previous year and which also requires ongoing treatment for a chronic condition.
9. What is the reputation of the company?
   • It pays to check carefully the reputation of the company with past and current policy holders. This is fairly easy to do online. A number of websites exist which review pet insurance companies' track records with policy holders.

All of these matters require careful consideration, but you will be successful in choosing the right policy for you and your pet armed with the information. As with any contract or policy, just be sure to read the fine print.