‘Tis the season to be jolly, not the season to be panicked.
The holiday celebrations can be a very dangerous time for your furry family members. From decorations to harmful foods, hazards are everywhere.
The last thing you want to worry about is your dog or cat getting sick. You want to enjoy spending time with your family, not rushing your dog or cat for emergency pet care.
Read about these seven pet safety tips to keep your fur babies safe this holiday season.
1. Stick to Pet Food
Pet owners sometimes feel guilty that they’re eating delicious food while their pets look at them with those cute eyes and beg for a treat. You might think, “What’s the harm in giving them just a little?”
For starters, bits of bone in the chicken or turkey leg can get stuck in their throats. Or it may splinter, causing cuts and abrasions inside their digestive tracts.
Other foods are outright toxic. Hopefully, you already know not to give dark chocolate and grapes to dogs. Spices such as sage can cause upset stomachs, while nutmeg can cause seizures to pets.
2. The Folly of Decking the Halls with Holly
Like many foods, some plants used as decorations to create the holiday ambiance are unsafe for pets.
Catwoman famously said that mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it (but a kiss is even deadlier). This applies to regular cats as well.
Holly and the sap of poinsettia can cause vomiting when ingested. Other plants that are toxic when consumed are amaryllis, balsam, and cedar.
3. Hold Onto Your Drinks
Celebrations and drinking go hand in hand. Still, you might want to keep your drinks in your hand.
Alcohol can be very harmful to pets and they might be tempted to take a sip out of an unattended glass. Keep temptation at bay by keeping glasses out of reach.
4. Stranger Danger
Your furry friend will be around lots of unfamiliar faces, from visiting relatives to delivery people. This can cause them to feel anxiety and stress, increasing the likelihood to bite.
It’s probably safer for everyone (especially kids) if you put your pet inside their crates. It’s also easy for your pet to escape with all the people coming and going.
5. Caution: Decoration in Progress
If you could make your pet wear a hardhat, now is the time. Hazardous things for your pet are everywhere during this festive period.
The Christmas tree can topple over and crush your pet if not secured properly. If your pet eats ornaments such as tinsel and glass balls, surgery is the worst consequence. Chewing on electrical cords is another potential threat.
6. Health Is the Best Gift
We love giving and receiving gifts, but you have to be careful if you have pets. The materials used to wrap gifts such as wrapping paper, ribbons, and strings can cause intestinal blockage.
Batteries in toys can cause acid burns. Small batteries can also be easily swallowed and removal may require surgery.
7. Mittens and Kittens
Animals can be very sensitive to temperature changes.
Prepare your pets for the cold weather with winter coats or gear, especially if they’re getting on in age.
Emergency Pet Care Is Available
Sometimes, things happen no matter how careful you are.
For emergency pet care services, you can call or visit us anytime.