The holiday season is in full swing! As you may inevitably rush to prepare feasts for the family and turn your home into a winter wonderland, it’s equally important to keep the safety of your pets in mind.
No matter what holiday(s) you may celebrate, each brings with it unique hazards for our furry friends. With the right planning, these dangers can be easily avoided while providing a fun and safe environment for your furry friends to join in on the fun!
Decoration Do’s and Don’ts
Tinsel, candles, flowers and lights are oftentimes staples of home decorating during the holiday season, but before you attempt to one-up Clark Griswold, there’s a few things to keep in mind.
Bouquets, flower displays and snow globes
Holly and mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular issues if ingested by your pets. Poinsettias, amaryllis, balsam, pine and cedar can also make your furry friend sick if chewed on or consumed. For cat owners, lilies are very toxic and can cause kidney failure. Make sure these festive plants are kept away from furry friends!
There are many non-toxic plant options available that will create a festive environment in your home. Consider decorating with plants such as holiday cacti, African violets, roses and Phalaenopsis orchids, which are non-toxic to both dogs and cats. Keep in mind that all pets have different needs and sensitivities – consult with your veterinarian to double check your pet’s specific needs.
If a snow globe breaks, ensure it is immediately cleaned up and that pets are kept away while you do so. Glass is the obvious danger here, but snow globes are also made using ethylene glycol, a sweet-smelling chemical that can cause fatal intoxication.
For a safe and fun alternative, you can create your own snow globe using plastic instead of glass and non-toxic additives on the inside!
African violet
Holiday lights
When considering lighting options, if you decide to use candles, ensure they are under constant supervision to prevent any curious or bored furry friends from hurting themselves or knocking it over and starting a fire. For lights that plug into the wall, make sure to unplug them when you’re away. Battery-powered devices should be kept well out of reach. Pets can seriously hurt themselves chewing on live electrical wires and batteries.
Trees
Planning on displaying a tree this year? Whether you’re using an artificial one or enjoy hauling a live tree home, there are important precautions to take when putting it up and decorating.
First and foremost, make sure the tree is well secured and can’t tip over easily. This not only protects you from a falling tree, but your pets as well. Ever see a viral video of a cat climbing to the top of the tree as it tips over? Funny stuff, but can be a real holiday buzz kill. If you’re using a live tree, make sure no furry friends can access the water. Not only can this dry out your tree, but tree water also often contains bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal issues for pets.
Once the tree is safely up and you are ready to decorate, skip the tinsel! Cats and dogs attracted to it can suffer severe issues if they ingest it. In worst-case scenarios, ingested tinsel may require surgery to remove from a pet’s gastrointestinal tract. Ribbons and ornaments, especially those that can shatter, should be kept well out of reach to avoid mishaps. When away from the tree, make sure to unplug it or keep live wires out of reach.
Ensure your furry friends have plenty of fun and safe play options around the home! Not only will this provide them with important mental and physical stimulation, it will prevent them from becoming bored and seeing trees and lights as potential toys. Additionally, the holiday season often breaks our normal routine and scheduling, which can be unsettling to our pets who thrive on routine. Try to maintain your typical schedule as much as possible, and provide your pet with fun enrichment activities and TLC during significant schedule changes.
Edible Do’s and Don’ts
In the spirit of giving, it may be tempting to let a furry friend in on the holiday feast. While a small piece of boneless turkey may make for a wonderful snack, there are a lot of risks involved in feeding pets food that was not intended for them.
Around the Table
Even with a piece of turkey, it could contain spices that can cause an upset stomach. Fatty foods, as well as sweets and spicy foods can cause problems, and chicken and turkey bones should always be avoided.
When in doubt, it’s best to stick with your pet’s normal diet to avoid any unwanted trips to the veterinarian. But there are still plenty of ways to let pets in on the fun, such as providing dog and cat treats themed for the holidays!
Planning on drinking? Make sure unattended drinks are kept out of reach and that spills are promptly cleaned up. Pets who ingest alcohol can suffer a multitude of physical ailments, some of which can be fatal. When baking, keep unbaked yeast dough away for similar reasons. Not only does it rise and create dangerous gas in an animal’s gastrointestinal tract, but the yeast also produces alcohol as a by-product.
Edible Gifts
Have the perfect gift planned for that friend with a massive sweet tooth? Make sure it’s not opened early by a furry friend! Even though it may be wrapped, pets can still smell edible gifts, which is why it is important to keep them out of reach. You can alternatively include your pets in the gift-giving by providing treats of their own that are safe to eat!
If you plan on stuffing stockings with sweet treats, also make sure to do so only right before it’s time to open them, or ensure stockings are kept in a place where pets cannot reach.
Salt dough ornaments may make a perfect homemade gift, but they also can attract curious pets. If ingested, they can cause life-threatening electrolyte imbalances, so make sure to hang them out of reach!
Have a Happy and Safe Holidays
While there may be a lot to keep in mind as you also scramble to finish decorating, shopping and cooking, the last thing you want this holiday season is a trip to the vet. The holidays are a bright time of year for many, and by staying diligent, you can ensure that your furry friends stay safe and happy during the festivities.
