The holidays are designed for family fun and feast but can pose perils for pets, ranging from lethal leftovers to Christmas tree ornaments.

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"You'd be amazed the things they can swallow," Dr. David Cohen of Glenview Animal Hospital in northern Illinois told the Chicago Tribune.

Problems growing from such things as splintering turkey bones to shiny tinsel strands to plastic toys to chocolate treats pop up each year for pets around holiday time. Such hazards often appear innocuous to their owners but can be deadly for the animals of the house.

Experts warn about feeding pets leftovers -- poultry bones that can lodge in a pet's throat or splinter and tear the stomach or intestines -- and the introduction of greasy, spicy or fatty food -- or a little alcohol.

Veterinarians warn that chocolate treats can be poisonous to cats and dogs and caution about pets eating such things as plastic toys or strands of tinsel, ribbons, string and yarn.