Holiday Pet Hazards
Holiday Pet Hazards
Holiday Pet Hazards
Holiday Pet Hazards
Holiday Pet Hazards
Courtesy of Louisiana SPCA
The holidays are approaching—a time that many look forward to all year! December abounds with holiday celebrations, and nothing can spoil good cheer like an emergency trip to the veterinary clinic. While the holidays can be a joyous time for humans, they can be a very dangerous time for our four-legged family members. Take some extra pet-proofing measures this year to keep your best friend happy and safe all holiday season. Avoid doggy dilemmas and cat-caused catastrophes this holiday by following some simple tips.
Holiday Guests
As with any holiday, you may have more guests than usual visiting. Extra people in the house that your pet isn’t used to can be stressful. You can set up a safe space for them in your house, secluded from the commotion. In the space you can place their bed, favorite toys, something that smells like you and some treats to make them feel at ease. Doorbells may cause stress and fear for pets who are not accustomed to the noise. We recommend making your pet feel more comfortable by disconnecting your doorbell. A microchip and tags on their collar can help quickly identify your pet should they ever be separated from you.
Oh, Christmas Tree
Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can upset the stomach—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and not a good idea for your pet to drink.
Curious pets are often attracted to ornaments hanging from the Christmas tree. Treasured ornaments should be hung high up on the Christmas tree so they are out of the reach of curious cats and rambunctious dogs. Wooden, metal, resin-cast or other durable ornaments should be used on the lower branches. Or, for your pet’s safety, avoid placing any ornaments on the lower branches of the Christmas tree.
Tinsel can also be tempting for pets to eat. Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. However, if ingested, these decorative items can wrap around the base of a feline’s tongue and become caught in their intestines, causing a blockage leading to an emergency surgery. If your pet is likely to eat ribbons, ornaments, or tinsel, avoid decorating your home with these items.
Plants and flowers
Holiday plants are a great way to brighten up a home, but can present real dangers, as many are toxic to pets. Even non-toxic plants can still cause severe gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantity.
Holiday plants that can be harmful to pets include:
While poinsettias are widely thought to be toxic to dogs and cats, ingestion may cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and result in vomiting, but they are generally considered low in toxicity. Opt for just as jolly artificial plants, or choose a pet-safe flower.
That Holiday Glow
If your pet chews on electrical cords, it can result in serious injuries such as electrical shock and oral burns. If your pet seems interested in chewing electrical cords, take precautions to limit their exposure to holiday lights. For example, use electrical cord covers and cord organizers to make electrical cords less accessible and out of sight. Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!
Not Home for the Holidays
Whether you take your pets with you or leave them behind, take precautions to protect them whenever you’re traveling.
Interstate and international travel regulations require any pet you bring with you to have a health certificate from your veterinarian—even if you are traveling by car. Learn the requirements for any states you will visit or pass through, and schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to get the needed certificate within the timeframes required by those states. Even Santa’s reindeer need to get health certificates for their annual flight around the world.
Pets in vehicles should always be safely restrained and should never be left alone in the car in any weather. Proper restraint means using a secure harness or a carrier, placed in a location clear of airbags. Never transport your pet in the bed of a truck.
If you’re traveling by air and considering bringing your pet with you, speak with your veterinarian first. Air travel can put some pets at risk, especially short-nosed dogs. Your veterinarian is the best person to advise you regarding your own pet’s ability to travel.
Pack for your pet as well as yourself if you’re going to travel together. In addition to your pet’s food and medications, this includes bringing copies of their medical records, information to help identify your pet if it becomes lost, first aid supplies, and other items.
Boarding your dog while you travel? Talk with your veterinarian to find out how best to protect your pet from canine flu and other contagious diseases, and to make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccines.
Food for Fido
By now you know not to feed your pet chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but don’t underestimate the length to which your pet will go to chomp on something yummy. Keep pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans. While you might be tempted to share your leftovers, we advise against doing so. Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly medical bills. If you want to share holiday treats with your pets, make or buy treats formulated just for them.
If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.
Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kong-brand toys that can be stuffed with healthy foods, or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible. Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the riskiest toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose fabrics that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery.
Before you join friends and family to celebrate the holiday season this winter, take time to make sure your home is free of potential dangers or hazards for your pet. Happy holidays!
The holidays are approaching—a time that many look forward to all year! December abounds with holiday celebrations, and nothing can spoil good cheer like an emergency trip to the veterinary clinic. While the holidays can be a joyous time for humans, they can be a very dangerous time for our four-legged family members. Take some extra pet-proofing measures this year to keep your best friend happy and safe all holiday season. Avoid doggy dilemmas and cat-caused catastrophes this holiday by following some simple tips.
Holiday Guests
As with any holiday, you may have more guests than usual visiting. Extra people in the house that your pet isn’t used to can be stressful. You can set up a safe space for them in your house, secluded from the commotion. In the space you can place their bed, favorite toys, something that smells like you and some treats to make them feel at ease. Doorbells may cause stress and fear for pets who are not accustomed to the noise. We recommend making your pet feel more comfortable by disconnecting your doorbell. A microchip and tags on their collar can help quickly identify your pet should they ever be separated from you.
Oh, Christmas Tree
Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can upset the stomach—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and not a good idea for your pet to drink.
Curious pets are often attracted to ornaments hanging from the Christmas tree. Treasured ornaments should be hung high up on the Christmas tree so they are out of the reach of curious cats and rambunctious dogs. Wooden, metal, resin-cast or other durable ornaments should be used on the lower branches. Or, for your pet’s safety, avoid placing any ornaments on the lower branches of the Christmas tree.
Tinsel can also be tempting for pets to eat. Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. However, if ingested, these decorative items can wrap around the base of a feline’s tongue and become caught in their intestines, causing a blockage leading to an emergency surgery. If your pet is likely to eat ribbons, ornaments, or tinsel, avoid decorating your home with these items.
Plants and flowers
Holiday plants are a great way to brighten up a home, but can present real dangers, as many are toxic to pets. Even non-toxic plants can still cause severe gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantity.
Holiday plants that can be harmful to pets include:
- Amaryllis
- Azaleas
- Chrysanthemums
- Evergreens
- Holly
- Ivy
- Juniper
- Lily
- Mistletoe
While poinsettias are widely thought to be toxic to dogs and cats, ingestion may cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and result in vomiting, but they are generally considered low in toxicity. Opt for just as jolly artificial plants, or choose a pet-safe flower.
That Holiday Glow
If your pet chews on electrical cords, it can result in serious injuries such as electrical shock and oral burns. If your pet seems interested in chewing electrical cords, take precautions to limit their exposure to holiday lights. For example, use electrical cord covers and cord organizers to make electrical cords less accessible and out of sight. Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!
Not Home for the Holidays
Whether you take your pets with you or leave them behind, take precautions to protect them whenever you’re traveling.
Interstate and international travel regulations require any pet you bring with you to have a health certificate from your veterinarian—even if you are traveling by car. Learn the requirements for any states you will visit or pass through, and schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to get the needed certificate within the timeframes required by those states. Even Santa’s reindeer need to get health certificates for their annual flight around the world.
Pets in vehicles should always be safely restrained and should never be left alone in the car in any weather. Proper restraint means using a secure harness or a carrier, placed in a location clear of airbags. Never transport your pet in the bed of a truck.
If you’re traveling by air and considering bringing your pet with you, speak with your veterinarian first. Air travel can put some pets at risk, especially short-nosed dogs. Your veterinarian is the best person to advise you regarding your own pet’s ability to travel.
Pack for your pet as well as yourself if you’re going to travel together. In addition to your pet’s food and medications, this includes bringing copies of their medical records, information to help identify your pet if it becomes lost, first aid supplies, and other items.
Boarding your dog while you travel? Talk with your veterinarian to find out how best to protect your pet from canine flu and other contagious diseases, and to make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccines.
Food for Fido
By now you know not to feed your pet chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but don’t underestimate the length to which your pet will go to chomp on something yummy. Keep pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans. While you might be tempted to share your leftovers, we advise against doing so. Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly medical bills. If you want to share holiday treats with your pets, make or buy treats formulated just for them.
If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.
Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kong-brand toys that can be stuffed with healthy foods, or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible. Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the riskiest toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose fabrics that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery.
Before you join friends and family to celebrate the holiday season this winter, take time to make sure your home is free of potential dangers or hazards for your pet. Happy holidays!
Tagged in Paws for Cause in our Winter 2021 issue