Keep Your Pet’s Holiday
Season Jolly with These Safety Tips
The holiday season is upon us, and many pet parents plan to
include their furry companions in the festivities. As you gear up for the
holidays, it is important to try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits
as close to their normal routine as possible. Also, be sure to steer pets clear
of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations:
Sweets
By now you 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 not meant for him or her? Make sure to keep your pets away
from the table and unattended plates of food. Also, secure the lids on garbage
cans.
Leftovers
Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your
furry friends. Pets can join the festivities with their very own tasty and safe
treats that won't lead to costly medical bills.
Cocktails
If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your
unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your
pet could become weak, ill, and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in
death from respiratory failure.
Christmas Tree
Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing
possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may
contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Also, stagnant
tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and your pet could end up with
nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe. Edible
tree decorations—whether they are ornaments or popcorn strings—are not a good
idea. These goodies are just too enticing.
Mistletoe & Holly
Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems, and
many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for
just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe
plant, like Christmas cactus. By the way, poinsettias have a bad reputation but
in fact are of low-level toxicity. However, when ingested, signs of vomiting,
drooling, or diarrhea may be seen.
Tinsel
Kitties adore this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's 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. It's best to decorate with something other than tinsel.
Holiday Glow
Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a
fire if they knock candles over.
Wires
Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of reach of your pet.
A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured
battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable
ornaments can damage your pet's mouth and digestive tract. Exposed indoor or
outdoor wires should be taped to a wall. Any wires extending away from the wall
should be wrapped in hard protective plastic to make them less interesting to
your pet.
Winter holidays are a wonderful time to enjoy family and
friends, but with all the extra hustle and bustle, don’t forget to do some
extra pet-proofing measures in order to
keep the season merry.
Here are some suggestions for treats and toys to bring
holiday cheer to your furry family members:
Freeze dried or dehydrated meat treats! Antlers
for chewing! Protein rich treats!
Quality treats without any byproducts or harmful ingredients
Safe and beneficial toys that challenge the pup or just
bring joy!
Warm apparel for those that need a little help keeping warm
in the cold weather!