How To Keep Your Pet Safe During the Holidays

Christmas and other holidays can be fun for the whole family - pets included. However, there are some common hazards that may threaten your pet's well-being. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and other pets who wander around the house could soon find that their curiosity and playfulness gets them into trouble. Before relaxing and celebrating, make sure that your home is pet-friendly.

1. Keep ornaments and decorations out of reach. Sure, it might look funny, but if you have a curious dog or cat, you'll both avoid heartache by putting the ornaments higher on the Christmas tree, out of canine and feline reach. Other ornaments, especially those made of glass, or decorations which could cause a choking hazard or break if knocked over, should also be out of reach.
2. Tape down your electrical cords. Your pet bunny might not appreciate the Christmas lights, but she sure knows how to chew on cords! Make sure electrical cords are taped to the floor to reduce chewing and risk of electrocution, as well as the potential of knocking over the entire Christmas tree.
3. Be careful with fire. Pets and fire are not a good combination. When lighting cozy fires in the fireplace, lighting menorahs, or lighting candles elsewhere, make sure that your pets do not have easy access to the flames. Nothing should be kept burning if you are not there to monitor it.
4. Watch for toxic foods. If your dog or cat gets into the table scraps, it could be toxic for them. Macadamia nuts, alcohol, chocolate, raisins, and many other common holiday foods can have serious consequences if eaten by your pets. Chicken or turkey bones can splinter and cause your pet to choke. Make sure you keep healthy pet treats around for your furry family members.
5. Monitor the Christmas tree water. If your dog or cat begins drinking out of the Christmas tree stand, they could ingest dangerous bacteria or plant food which could hurt them.
6. Keep dangerous plants out of reach. Although poinsettias are not as toxic as is commonly thought, they can still cause stomach irritation. However, lilies, holly, and mistletoe are all highly toxic to animals and may cause kidney failure, so keep them out of reach!
7. Don't let your pet into the gift wrapping supplies! String, yarn, ribbons, and tinsel can all cause choking or strangulation - so stick to the actual dog and cat toys.
8. Educate your guests. If guests do not have pets, they may not know about cautions that seem like common sense to you. Make sure that they know how your pets should be handled, and what needs to be kept out of reach. It only takes one well-meaning relative to feed your Chihuahua dark chocolate to cause a trip to the veterinary emergency room.
9. Make sure your pet has "down time." Even though many pets are highly social, they may become nervous with all the activity and guests around the holidays. Move your pet's bed into a quiet part of the house and make sure that he or she has access to it.

If you follow these tips, your holiday should be a pleasant and happy one for you and your pets, with no unforseen excitement. Keep the holiday season fun and safe for anyone - whether they have two or four legs!

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