Holiday Safety Tips For Pets

Can you believe the holidays are almost here? As you prepare to celebrate, try to keep your pets’ diet and exercise routines as close to normal as possible. A little planning can help keep your pets safe and healthy throughout the holiday season.

Here are some common holiday hazards:                

Food

Chocolate is very toxic to both dogs and cats. The severity of poisoning depends on the amount and type of chocolate eaten as well as the size of your pet. If your pet eats chocolate, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Feeding your pet foods outside their regular diet can trigger potentially life-threatening pancreatitis. Two cases from my years in practice included:

• A Pug developed pancreatitis after eating one slice of bacon.
• A Golden Retriever became severely ill after licking the barbecue grill following a party.

Feeding your pets table food isn’t worth the potential risks.A few dangerous foods include raisins, grapes, onions, garlic and macadamia nuts.Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in many sugar-free products and is highly toxic to dogs. Bones can cause broken teeth, injuries to the stomach or esophagus or intestinal obstruction. 

Decorations

• Tinsel & Ribbons
  Keep tinsel, ribbons and similar decorations safely out of reach. If swallowed, they can cause an intestinal obstruction that may require emergency surgery.
• Christmas Tree Water
  Pets love to sneak a drink from the Christmas tree stand but the water may contain preservatives and bacteria that can cause illness.

Christmas Trees
Trees can tip over if a pet attempts to climb them. Be sure to securely anchor your tree to prevent it from falling.

Wires & Batteries
Pets may be tempted to chew on electrical wires or batteries. These can cause serious injuries, including electrocution and burns.

Candles
Lighted candles are a dangerous temptation for curious pets. Keep candles safely out of reach and never leave them unattended.

Holiday Plants
Some holiday plants can be toxic or irritating to pets. These include mistletoe, holly, lilies, amaryllis, pine and poinsettia.

Don’t Forget the Trash

Pets can be sneaky! Make sure trash cans have secure lids and are placed somewhere your pets cannot access them. Holiday leftovers, food wrappers, bones and other discarded items can all pose a risk.

Managing Holiday Stress

Pets may become anxious with visitors, changes in routine or loud noises. Make sure your pet has a quiet, safe place where they can escape the holiday commotion.

The holidays can be a busy time for veterinarians, so contact your veterinarian before the holidays if your pet needs medication for anxiety. Over-the-counter pheromone sprays and plug-ins are also available for cats and dogs and may help reduce anxiety.

By taking these precautions and planning ahead, you can ensure your pets enjoy the holiday season as much as you do – safely and happily.