Keeping Your Pets Safe During The Holidays

The holiday season is a special time of year, bringing families and friends together for happy times of sharing fun and creating memories. As our pets are also a part of our families, here are some tips to keep them safe and healthy during the holiday season.

Christmas Tree Tips

Place your tree in a corner, and if possible, secure it to the wall or something sturdy so that it cannot be knocked over. If there is a way to prevent your dog or cat from jumping on or in the tree, use whatever plan works best for everyone’s safety.

For live trees, clean up pine needles regularly, as they can be toxic and can puncture a puppy or kitten’s intestines if ingested.

Hang tinsel, ribbons, and garland out of your pet’s reach. Cats are especially intrigued by these decorations, and if ingested these trimmings could cause intestinal blockage.  The same is true of edible ornaments such as cranberry or popcorn strings.

Do not let pets drink water from the tree water, as it could harbor bacteria or contain chemicals from the tree trunk.

Be careful of extension cords for tree lights, as these sometimes look like chew toys to pets. Either tape them to the wall or cover them, and be sure to unplug them when you are away from home.

Holiday Plants

Many of the plants we have in our homes during the holidays can be poisonous to pets. Holly, mistletoe, lilies, amaryllis, and poinsettias can all lead to serious health problems in dogs and cats (some are highly poisonous!), so keep them out of reach in your homes.

Candles and Fragrances

Never leave lighted candles unattended and within reach of your pets.  Liquid potpourri and sachets, which are popular during the holiday season, can be dangerous to pets if ingested.

Food Hazards

Resist the temptation to feed your pets rich holiday foods. It might be a good idea to feed your pet his or her regular meal before guests arrive for holiday celebrations so that they will be less likely to beg for “people” food.  Also beware of feeding bones that can splinter, and of course, the foods that are known to be harmful to pets: onions, grapes, raisins, chocolate, and coffee grounds and beans. Rich, fatty foods like fatty meats, turkey skin, and gravy can bring on stomach upsets and may cause pancreatitis. Be sure to remove leftover food as soon as possible and keep pets away from the garbage after a holiday meal.

Visitors and Stress

Holidays can be stressful for all of us, and pets are no exception.  Some pets do well with visitors and behave themselves, while others may be fearful or even aggressive.

If your pet is fearful, a quiet room away from the celebration with food and water available will help provide a comfortable environment.

Aggressive pets may also need to be put in a separate room, or perhaps having them stay at a friend’s house during the party may be necessary.

When inviting visitors, be sure to let them know that you have a pet. If these people have allergies, they will be alerted to the situation.

Be sure to spend quality time with your pet during the holiday celebration season, as they are creatures of habit, and they do not understand your changes in routine or the hustle and bustle of the season.  During and after all the holiday festivities, don’t forget to relax and spend time with your pet. That’s the best gift of all!

*My last tip is my own personal promise that I make to myself every holiday season:  I gather extra or unwanted towels, blankets, and rugs from my neighbors, co-workers, and my family members.  I then take them to my local animal shelter to keep the animals there warm and comfortable during the winter months.

So, why not make the holidays more comfortable for homeless pets? Contact your local animal shelter to see if you can donate bedding, food, toys, kitty litter, or your time.

Wishing you and your pets Happy Holidays!

Cheri