(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Katherine Heigl was terrified her dog has contracted a deadly virus until she realized the pet had just been eating Christmas tree tinsel.

The actress and her husband Josh Kelley are renowned for their love of animals. They recently welcomed a new puppy into their family but grew increasingly concerned for the little dog's welfare after it became sick.

"They thought their pup had a stomach virus because it seemed really ill," a source told National Enquirer. "They were extremely concerned! But the doc discovered that the dog had been eating the tinsel on their Christmas tree."

The furry critter is now following a normal diet and is believed to be doing well.

In 2010, Katherine was known to have six dogs.

She has been outspoken about animal rights in the past, pledging $1 million last year to help various organizations spay animals for free.

"When I was growing up, my mother and father had zero desire for any one of our animals to have a litter," she said. "I think it's a lot of work, it's a lot of energy. Then, as an adult, because of the way I was raised and because I had the means to do it, [spaying and neutering] goes without question." (C) Cover Media