How to Make the Holidays Pet Friendly

Keep your pets safe during holidays and events throughout the year. We get so involved with all the exciting decorating and parties during the holidays, sometimes we forget we might be introducing dangers for our beloved pets. Here are just some safety tips on how to make the holidays pet friendly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Cats and greens

   PET SAFETY TIP 1: PROTECT FROM PLANTS. There are a lot of dangerous house plants decorating homes for the holidays your pets might chew. Keep pets away from them. Holly and mistletoe are poisonous and pine needles can puncture internal organs. Poinsettias will make pups and kitties ill while the Christmas rose can also be toxic.

2. 
    
   Watch those ornaments!

   PET SAFETY TIP 2: PROTECT FROM HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS AND WRAPPINGS. Watch out for strings, ribbons, popped balloons and holiday tinsel that can be tangling, strangling or accidentally swallowed. Cats might try climbing Christmas trees. Make sure yours is securely anchored. And watch out for glittery ornaments that can easily dazzle a pet who may decide to play with one or chew it up. New Years confetti can also be accidentally eaten causing a serious digestive upset. Also make sure dogs don't get a hold of bones that could splinter.

3. 
    
   Candles and lit fireplaces can be dangerous

   PET SAFETY TIP 3: PROTECT FROM FIRE. Look out for lit holiday candles that can get whipped by wagging tails or catch passing fur. Never leave a room with pets and candles together. The same goes for a burning fireplace.

4. 
    
   Electric cords can be hazards to pets.

   PET SAFETY TIP 4: PROTECT FROM HOLIDAY ELECTRICS. Extra electrical cords can attract young chewers with devastating results. Hide them under rugs.

5. PET SAFETY TIP 5: PROTECT FROM HOLIDAY FOODS. Go light on feeding pets people-food. Eggnog is very enticing to a cat but the liquor is not recommended. Too much turkey or ham will upset stomachs as will many of the rich fats served around holiday time. Keep aluminum foil away as it can cut like a razor and tasty meat juices stuck on tin foil can be very alluring. And watch out for chocolate. It can be fatal to dogs and for some it doesn't require very much to be dangerous.

6. 
    
   Holiday activities and decorations can be confusing, inviting or even dangerous to pets.

   PET SAFETY TIP 6: MAKE PROVISIONS FOR ACTIVITIES. Be careful of over-rambunctious house guests and excited children who can step on or fall over pets. Make sure pets don't slip out with the front door opening and closing all the time as guests come and go. And watch that your pets don't get spooked and hurt themselves with noise-makers on New Years Eve.

7. 
    
   Safe, Happy Holidays for all!

   The holidays fill the house with lots of celebratory items. Many are dangerous to your animal friends. Give your pets lots of attention so they don't feel left out with all the goings-on. And follow pet safety tips to protect your pets during the holidays so EVERYONE has a good, happy holiday season!

8. For a list of pet dangers, please check the link in Additional Resources below.

Resources

• AVMA Pet Poisons List

[Desula]

on 5/11/2009 Thank you for the ideas on pet safety during the holidays and other times.

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 12/9/2008 I was thinking about this just the other day! Great tips for pet safety during Christmas time in particular.