Tips on Keeping your Pets Safe During the Holidays

The holidays should be fun for everyone including our favorite canines and felines. By taking appropriate safeguards, you can ensure they are safe and stress-free with these helpful tips:

1. Keep tree ornaments out of reach. If your pet shows interest in the tree and all of those dangling things, hang wooden and fabric ornaments on the bottom of the tree to reduce the risk of your pet chewing on glass or plastic. Also, don’t use tinsel because that can be toxic. Anything unfamiliar and shiny has the potential to be a play toy in your pet’s eyes.

2. Keep cords bound together and tucked away so pets won’t get tangled in them causing damage to themselves and/or your home. If your pets are left alone in your home during the day, make sure all exposed cords are unplugged.

3. If you give an edible gift to someone with an indoor dog or cat, let them know so they will not put the gift under the tree where it might be ‘opened’ early. Pets (especially dogs) can pick up the scent of food through layers of wrapping paper or even decorative tins.

4. Keep cedar and pine needles swept up so that pets will not ingest them. Evergreen needles and pine cones are dangerous to your pet’s digestive track.

5. If you have a real tree, don’t use additives in the water because animals will drink from the tree stand. As an alternative, you can take an aluminum pie tin, cut a slit from edge to center and fit around the tree stand, or cover it with aluminum foil.

6. Don’t leave open bowls or trays of cookies and candies out for mischievous pets to get into.

7. Holly and poinsettias are toxic, so please keep them away from pets.

8. This may sound like a no-brainer, but don’t neglect your pet in all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Seriously, you would be surprised how many people forget to:

• Make sure pets are walked and exercised regularly
• Make sure pets are taken out to relieve themselves on a normal schedule
• Make arrangements for pets to be cared for if traveling over the holidays

Finally, relax and spend some quality time with your pet. Although they will appreciate holiday treats (healthy ones, of course) and cute toys, the gift of time spent with you will be the best gift of all.

For more tips on keeping your pet safe and warm during this cold, winter season, check out these Chilly Dog Tips.