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Seasonal Pet Safety

...do's and don'ts to keep your naughty or nice pets safe during the holidays

December 16, 2014
Your pets are part of the family,and they enjoy the holiday festivities as much as you do. By all means, include them in the seasonal fun, but remember, just like with small children, you'll need to provide a few extra precautions to keep them safe during the holiday season.


Holiday Do's and Don'ts


DO provide a special place for your pets to hang out and decompress when you are hosting holiday guests. Make sure they have food, water, a bed, and peace and quiet when they need it. 

DON'T
leave unattended alcoholic beverages, chocolate, xylitol (sweetener) products, or leftover turkey or chicken bones within snout-reach of your pets. Make sure your guests know that any of these foods could be toxic or dangerous to your pet. 

DO secure your Christmas tree to keep it from toppling if your cat decides to climb to the top or your dog becomes too curious about the ornaments.

DON'T
use tinsel on your tree! A curious cat or dog may ingest the sparkly strings, which can easily become tangled in the intestinal tract and require surgical removal. 

DO include Fido and Fifi in the Christmas morning gift-giving. Hang a small stocking for them on the mantle and stuff it with safe, edible treats or durable rubber toys. 

DON'T stuff your pet's stocking with rawhide, which can cause intestinal distress, easily-destroyed toys, which can be a choking hazard, or balls of yarn, which may be swallowed and become entangled in the intestines. 

DO feed, walk, and water your pets at their usual time every day, even if you are hosting guests or busy with Christmas errands. Having a regular routine will reassure your pet in the midst of excitement and holiday chaos. 

DON'T hang mistletoe or holly where your pets can get into them. These plants can be extremely toxic to pets, so consider purchasing artificial versions to keep your pets safe.