- Christmas Tree: Many of us will adorn our homes with this holiday favorite. Please be mindful that a new object, such as a large sparkly tree, will likely attract the attention of both our feline and canine companions. Securely anchor your tree to avoid the risk of it tipping over – accidentally causing injury to a curious pet. Properly anchoring your tree should stop any tree water from spilling, which is important as fertilizers and bacteria can build up in the water, posing the risk of gastrointestinal upset for your pet.
- Decorations: Stay clear of tinsel entirely to avoid putting your pet at risk of an obstructed digestive tract. When selecting tree bulbs, avoid bulbs made out of glass or that can easily shatter if they fall off the tree. Also try to place bulbs high on the tree to avoid the risk of your pet knocking them down.
- Lighting: Candles should be used cautiously, if avoided entirely, as they can cause burns or even a fire. Never leave a lit candle unattended. Wired lights should be kept out of your pet’s reach to avoid electrical shock if he/she were to chew on the wire. Always unplug your lights when leaving your home.
- Plants: Holly can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea when ingested. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Many types of lilies can cause kidney failure when ingested. For the safety of your pets, opt for convincing silk varieties of these plants or consider avoiding them all together.
- Holiday Meals: Although it’s tempting to offer your pet some of the delicious holiday meals you’ll be preparing this season, stay clear from any treats that are high in fat, sugar or anything sweetened with xylitol. Ingesting these kinds of “treats” can put your pet in danger that can result in high medical bills. Make sure you keep any unattended plates up high so it’s out of reach of your fur baby and make sure your trash is securely covered.
- Alcohol: Many of us will be serving festive cocktails for holiday gatherings. Make sure to place all unattended drinks in areas that your pet cannot reach them. It’s a good idea to mention this to guests as they arrive. Alcohol consumption in pets is serious and can result in illness, coma and even death due to respiratory failure.
- Noise: New Year’s Eve gathering often bring upon confetti, noisy poppers and fireworks. Cats can easily become obstructed when ingesting confetti or strings from poppers and loud noises and fireworks can be terrifying to many pets. Make sure your pet is in a safe, escape-proof area, as midnight approaches to ensure their safety. Be sure to check in on them periodically and consider offering a treat like a filled Kong to keep their minds busy during this time.
The holidays are a great time for friends and loved ones to
get together. Let’s make sure it’s safe
for our four-legged furry family members by keeping these precautions in mind.
Taking the steps now to avoid any potential disasters will keep your stress level
down and enable you to relax and enjoy this holiday season!
