WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – As we get into the latter part of the year, small objects will be a part of holiday decorations. Be it Halloween, Thanksgiving or any number of holidays in December, many households will have seasonal decorations and accessories that may look cute, but can be dangerous choking hazards.

We all know that children shouldn’t be near small items that can fit in their mouth. But what about your furry animals and those small objects? Does your cat like to play with hair bands, or does your dog like to chew on shoes? What are some dangers lying in the home that can send you and your fur baby to the emergency room?

Animals have delicate gastrointestinal systems. For instance, it is nearly impossible to make a cat throw up. And the dangers of those objects themselves can pose their own risks. A piece of bone may become stuck, and may only cause a blockage, but it is unlikely to cause toxicity the way a piece of old metal or painted object might.

Strings and similarly-shaped items can be especially dangerous as they can perforate the GI tract. A hole in an intestine can lead to food and stomach acid going into other parts of the pet’s abdomen that can cause serious health problems like inflammation and bacterial contamination. These issues can be life-threatening.

So what happens if you find that your cat or dog swallowed something they shouldn’t have?

Surgeries to remove foreign body blockages in pets can run up into the thousands of dollars. Sure, some objects can be removed without surgery, but most vets will recommend surgery to make sure no problems have developed as a result of the blockage.

The best way to keep your pet healthy is to make sure these blockages don’t happen in the first place.

Kate Woods with Whatcom Veterinary Hospital has a few words to share when it comes to safe practices for your furry friends.

“Making sure you keep non-toxic and pet safe decor around is the number one way to keep your pets safe when decorating for the holidays. Just as you would children, keep choking hazards or potentially ‘tasty’ decor, such as pumpkins, gourds and garland of any kind, out of their reach. If you believe your pet has ingested a toxic item or fear they may be at risk for blockage, don’t wait until it is too late. Once your pet has stopped eating or vomiting what they do eat up, surgery is likely in your pet’s future,” Woods said.

Whether you like to put your pet in a silly costume or have them curled up in your lap as you sit in front of the fireplace, keeping them healthy this fall will help you and your family make sure those traditions continue on for years more.