Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pet

Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pet

Ah, the festive season is upon us, filled with joy, laughter, and, of course, furry friends! As we gear up for holiday festivities with family and friends, it’s crucial to ensure that our pets revel in the merriment as much as we do. That’s why we’ve crafted a comprehensive safety guide to guarantee your four-legged companions have a blast throughout the holiday season.

Christmas is the time of year when we have our family and friends over for holiday festivities. Lots of people, strange smells, and loud noises can spook even the calmest of pets. It will probably a good idea to keep your dog away from the party-goers and occupied with a long-lasting chew or toy. Your cat may prefer a nice quiet room to relax in.

Tree Safety

Whether you have a fake tree or decided to get a real tree we recommend you place the tree in a corner of the home away from the pets. If you place the tree in a high trafficked area of the house I can guarantee you will spend time picking up Christmas decorations your pet has played with. You may want to invest in a small fence to put around your tree. Click here for some ideas.

• A small fence around the tree to keep pets safe is a good idea
• Tinsel can be deadly if ingested
• Christmas tree water can have preservatives, pesticides, fertilizers or other agents that help keep the tree fresh
• Artificial trees may have toxic materials that are not digestible
• Make sure the tree is stable and secure in the event your pet does jump on it

Ornaments

Ornaments can be great fun to many pets. They sparkle, move and even the shape can be fascinating to many pets. I recommend placing ornaments higher up in the tree where it is less likely your pets can get to them. This is especially important if you have a younger dog or cat.

• Strings on ornaments can get caught in the digestive tract
• Some ornaments are made from toxic materials
• Ball loving dogs may see ornaments as a great toy

Wires

Christmas lights everywhere! If your pet likes to chew on wires make sure to cover them.

• Can cause electric shock or burns
• Shock can cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs

Dangerous Plants

Several of the plants commonly purchased for decorations during the Christmas season are poisonous to pets and children, such as poinsettias, holly, amaryllis, and mistletoe. Choose a non-poisonous plant instead; the ASPCA has a listing of poisonous plants and non-poisonous alternatives.

If you need to have a poisonous plant in the house remember to keep it out of reach of your pets. Keep in mind cats can jump onto counters and shelves so it is best to keep them in rooms where they do not have access to the plants.

Food and Sweets

While you may enjoy the holiday treats and drinks be sure to keep them away from your pets. Do not reward your dog’s cuteness by giving him/her a tummy ache. It is easy to set something down for a second and next thing you know your pet has eaten it.

• Chocolate contains theobromine which is lethal to dogs, and the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it has.
• Candy wrappers smell like the treat they once contained and if swallowed they are harmful.
• Alcoholic beverages can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression and breathing difficulty to name a few
• Avoid giving your dog cooked bones from the table; they can break into sharp splinters and cause serious health problems, and sometimes death

Be strong, if you want to give your pet a sweet treat, offer your pet one of their favorite treats.

Candles

Candles are in homes year-round not just at Christmas. Here are a few things to consider before you light a candle.

• Synthetic candles often release volatile organic compounds and toxins which can cause respiratory problems
• Phthalates are also often released which  have been implicated in causing endocrine system disruption
• The delicious smells from the candles can sometimes entice your pet to take a bite which can cause digestion track problems

• Can get knocked over by a wagging tail or a curious cat

If you love candles here is an article about how to choose pet safe candles.

Wrapping Paper

When your wrapping gifts you can find your pet wants to be your “helper”.  Remember several of the items we use to make the gifts pretty can be dangerous to your pets.

• Ribbons can become a digestive issue
• Scissors are not a chew toy but some pets may think they are
• String can be a choking hazard, could possibly strangle your pet, can cause digestive problems or surgery to remove from being wrapped around intestines

Please remember to keep pets safe when wrapping your gifts.

Loud Noises

Most animals get scared or anxious when they hear loud noises. Whether it is from fireworks or just having a party with a lot of people over it can be scary for your pet.

• Offer your pet a safe place to stay
• Turn on the radio in the room the pet is in to help

Make sure your pet is safe and secure scared pets have been known to bite.

Will Your Pets Be Safe During The Holidays?

By keeping an eye on your pets and knowing the dangers in the home. You and your furry friends will have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.