9 Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe During the Holidays

As I was pulling out some of our Christmas decorations yesterday my dogs immediately started getting into them. I don’t know what it is about glass ornaments and pets, but they sure were excited! 🙂 It got me to thinking about a topic that is close to my heart and that is pet safety during the holidays.

Of course we have the brutal cold in may parts of the country at this time of year, but it’s also important to consider all of decorations, food and other goodies that we bring into our homes. Here are 9 tips on how you can keep your pets safe and healthy this holiday season:

-An active home full of holiday guests can increase the chance of your pets becoming loose, so it’s important that your pet is has an identification tag with current contact information.

-Be aware that increased visitors and lights can cause stress.

-As your home fills with guests and parties, maintain a normal schedule of walks, treats, and alone time, as well as providing a warm, safe, quiet place that can act as a retreat.

-Curb the tendency to give your dog or cats human food. Any change in your pets diet may give them indigestion, diarrhea or worse. Foods that people should avoid giving their pets include chocolate, grapes, onions, poultry bones, eggnog and fruitcake. Call your veterinarian with any questions about what food may be toxic to your pet.

-Holiday plants such as lilies, holly, mistletoe and poinsettias are known to be toxic to pets and should be kept out of reach.

-The water your live Christmas tree sits in is a breeding ground for bacteria and can be extremely harmful. Keep the water covered at all times with a thick skirt.

-Tape electrical cords safely to the wall and make sure that all electrical connections, batteries, and outlets are concealed.

-Tinsel, ribbon, metal hooks, and glass can obstruct or perforate the intestine if ingested. Use alternatives such as paper or plastic ornaments with plastic hooks and hang dangerous decorations out of reach from your pet.

-Quickly dispose of wrapping paper, packages, and bows after opening presents and put children’s toys out of reach of pets after playtime to avoid accidental ingestion by pets.

Thank you to the Best Friends Animal Society for these great tips!

Best Friends Animal Society is a national animal welfare organization focused on ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters. An authority and leader in the no-kill movement, Best Friends runs the nation’s largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, as well as lifesaving programs in partnership with rescue groups and shelters across the country. Since its founding in 1984, Best Friends has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters nationwide from 17 million per year to about 4 million. Best Friends has the knowledge, technical expertise and on-the-ground network to end the killing and Save Them All®.