How to Keep Animals Safe During The Holidays

The holidays are just around the corner, and we love nothing more than to celebrate with those we love, including our pets! Here are ways to keep them safe this season.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Unbreakable decorations
• Tape to secure strings of light out of reach
• Outlet covers
• Vet Contact Information

1. Decorations-Make sure all decorations are pet friendly (i.e., unbreakable), especially those on the lower limbs and in reach of curious pets. Tinsel and curly ribbon is especially dangerous, as it can be consumed and can cause serious injury, expensive surgery, or even death. Always keep your regular vet’s number handy, along with the number of the nearest emergency vet. Just like kids, animals are prone to emergencies on weekend and from the hours of 5pm and 7am.

2. Plants-Many beautiful plants during the holiday season are toxic to pets. Here is a list of plants to avoid: lily, star of Bethlehem, mistletoe, ivy, Christmas cactus, Christmas rose, yew, poinsettia, holly, and hibiscus. Additionally, drinking from the Christmas tree water can expose your pet to preservatives or poisonous pine tar.

3. Food- We all love to eat during the holiday season, and it is natural to want to share with your friend. Beware, however, that what you might be feeding your pet could be toxic. Grapes, chocolate, macadamia nuts, onions and raisins can be fatal. Turkey bones or chicken bones can splinter and get stuck in a animals throat or intestine.

4. Stress-There are usually more visitors during the holiday, and this can excite or stress your animals out. It is usually advisable to take your dog on a long walk before guests arrive so that they can be more relaxed, and always provide a separate room for your dogs and cats to escape or spend time in during the visit.

5. Fire Hazards-Candles are an extreme fire hazard, and are not recommended for houses with animals. There are fabulous battery operated “candle” on the market, and some even smell good! Cords and lights should be secured and out of reach, and electrical outlets covered...just think, you will be practically baby proofed for when your family and friends visit!

6. Presents-Animals have a phenomenal sense of smell, and might investigate a present left under the tree. If you are unsure of what it is, keep it out of reach. You don’t want to accidentally poison your pet by leaving out a box of chocolates from your boss.

Resources

• Cesar's Holiday Tips

[ermabombeck]

on 12/20/2008 Pets are family and deserve your ideas.

[2besure]

on 12/5/2008 You are so right! You have to look for the same things that are hazardous to small children.