BOSTON -- Most people know that chocolate, coffee grounds, and antifreeze are dangerous for dogs, but what about raisins or macadamia nuts?

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Kelley Tuthill Reports On Pets Resources Angell Animal Poison Control Hot Line 1-877-2ANGELL ($50 credit card charge) www.mspca.org Holiday Pet Hazards

NewsCenter 5's Kelley Tuthill reported that pet experts have a warning about pet poisons, especially around the holidays.

With all there is to do at this time of year, experts say pets sometimes get the short end of the stick. The holidays and all the trimmings pose real dangers for dogs and cats.

"Almost a day went by and (Ozzie the cat) couldn't keep anything down, so we brought him to Angell (Animal Medical Center) and found out he had eaten a Christmas ribbon. He was lucky, he passed it, but often they have to have surgery," said pet owner Christine Paul.

Few people realize that too many raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs; the sweetener Xylitol can cause dramatic blood sugar swings; too many macadamia nuts cause temporary paralysis in dogs' rear legs; and mistletoe can cause severe stomach upset and irregular heartbeat.

"Poinsettia gets a bum rap. It can cause stomach upset in dogs, but it is not lethal," said Dr. Steven Hansen, of the Poison Control Center.

Lilies, however, especially the Easter and tiger varieties, can cause kidney failure in cats.

Experts say there are several household hazards that could cause holiday problems in pets, including ice melt, preservatives put in the water of the Christmas tree stand, batteries for toys and cameras. Still, experts say, the most common cause of pet poisoning year round is the accidental ingestion of drugs. Holiday trips and visitors may make poisoning more likely.

"Maybe we have older parents who are on multiple medications, maybe one of those weekly pill minders. So we have many different types of medication and the dog will consume every one of them," said Hansen.

Angell-Memorial Hospital launched a new, animal poison hot line: 1-877-2-ANGELL. Each call costs $50 and is payable by credit card.

Hansen said that's money well spent for pet-specific advice not available anywhere else.

"If there's a new drug that comes out, we will know specifically what it does in the dog in several weeks of it coming on the market and nobody else knows that," said Hansen.