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Holiday Pet Safety Tips
Our pets are part of our families so of course we want to include them in our festivities but the holidays can bring hazards so please beware…
Decorations can be dangerous.
• Kitties love sparkly tinsel and pieces of ribbon that are easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery.
• Also take care to prevent your pets from having access to glass ornaments, wires and cords from holiday decorations. If chewed, they can damage your pet’s mouth or deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock.
• Common yuletide plants such as poinsettias, mistletoe, ivy and holly berries can be poisonous, possibly even fatal. Keep them out of reach of your four legged friends.
Cover the Christmas tree water. Your pet may think it’s a handy water bowl but it may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can also act as a breeding ground for bacteria, and if ingested a pet could end up with abdominal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea.
Careful with the candles. Ensure any candle decorations are kept well out of your pets' reach. Animals can easily knock over holiday candles and start a fire, and curious kittens are particularly at risk of getting burned by candle flames.
No Feasting for the Furries
You probably know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising pet will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans. Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages, while greasy, spicy and fatty foods can cause stomach upset.
A Room of Their Own
Crowds of people and holiday festivities can frighten animals. If you plan to entertain, plan ahead on your pets' behalf. Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the activity.
Be sure all your pets (including cats!) are wearing current ID tags.
Whether you’re traveling with your pet, leaving them with a sitter or entertaining at your home, it is especially important that all your pets are wearing current ID tags during the holidays. Guests may unknowingly open a door or gate and let a pet escape. A pet can jump out of the car or be frightened and run from unfamiliar places or loud noises. An ID tags will bring them home safely.
• Kitties love sparkly tinsel and pieces of ribbon that are easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery.
• Also take care to prevent your pets from having access to glass ornaments, wires and cords from holiday decorations. If chewed, they can damage your pet’s mouth or deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock.
• Common yuletide plants such as poinsettias, mistletoe, ivy and holly berries can be poisonous, possibly even fatal. Keep them out of reach of your four legged friends.
Cover the Christmas tree water. Your pet may think it’s a handy water bowl but it may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can also act as a breeding ground for bacteria, and if ingested a pet could end up with abdominal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea.
Careful with the candles. Ensure any candle decorations are kept well out of your pets' reach. Animals can easily knock over holiday candles and start a fire, and curious kittens are particularly at risk of getting burned by candle flames.
No Feasting for the Furries
You probably know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising pet will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans. Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages, while greasy, spicy and fatty foods can cause stomach upset.
A Room of Their Own
Crowds of people and holiday festivities can frighten animals. If you plan to entertain, plan ahead on your pets' behalf. Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the activity.
Be sure all your pets (including cats!) are wearing current ID tags.
Whether you’re traveling with your pet, leaving them with a sitter or entertaining at your home, it is especially important that all your pets are wearing current ID tags during the holidays. Guests may unknowingly open a door or gate and let a pet escape. A pet can jump out of the car or be frightened and run from unfamiliar places or loud noises. An ID tags will bring them home safely.
