The holidays can be dangerous days for pets. Routines change, the people they are exposed to are different, and foods and smells can be deadly. Here are 7 things you can do to help make the holidays safe for your pet.
Warn Family and Friends---People who don't have pets, and even some who do, don't always know what foods it can or cannot have. If you intend to let your pooch mingle among the crowd (more about that later) let everyone know that food is only to be eaten by humans.
Put Your Pet In a Safe Place---This is the best way to make sure that it stays safe. Keeping it away from guests also prevents young children, hard-headed children, and hard-headed adults from going against your wishes and doling out food that can range from harmful to deadly.
This also prevents them from running, or flying out of the house when guests open the door unexpectedly. Small pets can escape being stepped on.
Keep An Eye On Food---Many holiday foods such as chocolate, snacks high in sugar and salt, nuts, alcohol, avocados and others can be deadly. Leaving them unattended for even a minute can give a cat, bird, or really tall dog time to gulp down something deadly from the kitchen counter or table.
Protect Wires---Most holiday celebrations include decorating with lights. Make sure your wires are protected from sharp teeth, strong claws and insatiable curiosity. Hide them behind furniture, tape them down, or put them in plastic tubing to further insulate them.
Avoid Choking Hazards---There are tons of items that surface during the holidays that can cause potential choking. Things like wire ornament hangers, marbles, broken bits of glass ornaments that go unnoticed on the floor, small toys and other items can be to intriguing for your pet not to explore. Keep the floor and the bottom of the tree safe by removing ornaments to higher branches.
Beware of Plants---Some plants are poisonous to pets and pose a real health threat if ingested. Personally, I wouldn't risk it. Pine needles can puncture intestines, holly, lilies, and mistletoe can be the kiss of death for pets.
But if you must have them, make sure they are kept out of reach, and be vigilant about dead leaves that drop. Be sure to check with a certified nursery about other the safety of any other plants before bringing them into your home.
Limit Access To Christmas Tree Water----Allowing pets to drink tree water is dangerous. Fertilizers and other pesticides may leech into the water and health problems or death when ingested. Stagnant water that sits will contain a high level of bacteria that can also cause problems for pets.
