Holiday Safety Tips for Pets

SAFETY PROOFING A HOLIDAY HOME

• Trees provide a great temptation for cats to climb and dogs to chew on, so holiday trees should be well secured to prevent accidents. Also, pets should not drink tree water, which may cause gastrointestinal upset.

• Holiday ornaments should be hung out of pets' reach. Ingestion of ornaments or broken glass (not to mention ribbons and bows) can lead to serious medical emergencies. Pets, especially cats, can be tempted to eat tinsel, which can block the intestines.

• Animals are attracted to bright, moving lights so candles should be kept on high shelves. Candles as well as fireplaces should be constantly supervised since embers, sparks and wax can injure pets.

• Other holiday products that can harm pets include snow globes (many of which contain harmful antifreeze) and artificial snow, which can cause reactions if inhaled.

• Holiday plants including ivy, holly, mistletoe, hibiscus, poinsettia, lilies and Christmas greens all have various levels of toxicity. Position these high off the ground to avoid dangerous ingestion mishaps.

HOLIDAY TREATS

• No table scraps for pets! Fatty meats, gravies and poultry skin can cause pancreatitis, gastritis, enteritis, colitis and other gastrointestinal problems. Bones put pets at risk for bowel obstruction or perforation and choking.

• No chocolate for four-legged friends. It contains theobromine, which is highly toxic to dogs and cats when eaten in even small quantities.

• Pets should celebrate with home-cooked dog and cat treats. Recipes are available on the Internet.

PETS AND PARTIES

• An influx of holiday guests may frighten or agitate animals, making them more prone to barking or even biting.

• Find a quiet room away from the crowd that pets can have to themselves.

• Pets can easily slip out through an open door as guests come and go -- keep a steady eye on pets and be sure they are wearing current identification tags.

While the safest holiday home is a prepared one, accidents do happen.  Be sure to call Iron Mountain Animal Hospital or your veterinarian with any concerns you may have.