The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends, decorate our homes, and enjoy special meals and treats. While the season brings plenty of excitement, it can also present unexpected hazards for our pets. With a few simple precautions, you can help ensure your furry family members enjoy a safe and happy holiday season, too!
Holiday decorations make our homes festive, but curious pets may see them as tempting toys or snacks. Keep these tips in mind as you decorate:
Choose decorations carefully. Tinsel, ribbons, string, and ornament hooks can cause serious intestinal problems if swallowed. Keep them out of reach, especially for cats who love to play with dangling objects.
Secure your Christmas tree. Make sure your tree is stable and cannot easily tip over. Cover the tree stand water to prevent pets from drinking it, and keep electrical cords tucked away to prevent chewing.
Be mindful of plants. Lilies are extremely toxic to cats. Holly, mistletoe, and certain other holiday plants can also be harmful. Poinsettias may cause mouth irritation and stomach upset. Keep potentially hazardous plants out of reach or choose pet-safe alternatives.
Watch candles and lights. Curious tails and paws can knock over candles, while chewing on light cords can cause burns or electrical injuries. Consider flameless candles and supervise pets around decorations.
Holiday gatherings can be exciting but overwhelming for pets. Extra noise, unfamiliar people, and frequently opening doors can create stress and increase the risk of escape.
Give your pet a quiet, comfortable space away from the festivities, complete with fresh water, bedding, and favorite toys. Let pets approach guests at their own pace, and remind visitors to respect their boundaries. If your pet becomes anxious around crowds, consider keeping them in a secure, peaceful room during the gathering.
With guests coming and going, be especially careful around exterior doors and gates. Make sure your pet wears identification with current contact information, and confirm their microchip details are up to date.
It can be tempting to share holiday favorites with our four-legged companions, but many traditional foods can be dangerous for pets.
Avoid feeding pets chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, alcohol, or foods containing xylitol (a sugar substitute found in some sugar-free products). Rich, fatty foods, including gravy, bacon, and turkey skin, can cause digestive upset and may contribute to pancreatitis. Cooked bones can splinter and cause serious injuries or blockages.
Keep food, alcoholic beverages, and unattended plates out of reach, and ask guests not to feed pets table scraps. If you’d like to include your pet in the celebration, offer a small portion of their regular food or a veterinarian-approved treat instead.
The holidays should be joyful for every member of the family, including those with paws and whiskers! By securing decorations, providing a calm retreat, and keeping tempting foods out of reach, you can reduce the risk of holiday mishaps.
If you suspect your pet has swallowed something toxic or dangerous, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic promptly. Do not wait for symptoms to appear, and do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a veterinary professional.
From all of us at Indy Veterinary Care, we wish you and your pets a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season!
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