Holiday Safety

It is time to deck the halls with boughs of holly, sprigs of mistletoe, bright poinsettias, glittery tinsel, strings of flashing lights, and for the lighting of candles. It makes a pretty picture, but, did you know that every one of those items could be hazardous to your pets?

Holiday decorations are attention getters, and because they are different and exciting, they also attract the attention of your pets. What cat can resist batting a glittery glass ball around? What dog can resist snooping under the tree? What bird could resist the temptation to swoop across the room, land in the upper branches, and tug at a strand of tinsel?

Use common sense when decorating your tree. Keep breakable ornaments high up, where a careless nose or tail can’t knock them off to shatter into paw slicing splinters of glass. Put smaller, easily swallowed ornaments, on higher branches too. Don’t decorate your tree with foodstuffs, such as cranberry and popcorn strings or baskets of candy; such goodies are bound to attract the attention of dogs and birds! Be sure not to leave burning candles unattended.

Provide outdoor dogs or cats with a dry, insulated pet house or shelter out of the wind. Staying warm demands extra calories, so feed your pet accordingly when temperatures drop. Bring your pet inside if the wind chill or weather conditions become severe.

Remove ice, salt and caked mud from your pet’s paws and coat at once. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has frostbite. Frostbitten skin may turn reddish, white or gray and it may be scaly or sloughing.

Pets like the smell and taste of antifreeze, but even a small amount can kill them. Thoroughly clean up spills at once. Tightly close containers and store them where pets cannot get them.

Keep your pet on its regular diet. Holiday treats such as chocolate and bones can be harmful or toxic.

Many plants are toxic to pets, including Christmas rose, holly, mistletoe, philodendron and dieffenbachia. Keep them out of your pet’s reach.

Show your pets how much you care by sharing a safe holiday with them. Your pet’s good health will give you a reason to celebrate all year long!