If you love animals and want to celebrate the holidays with your four-legged friends, it’s important to do so safely. Here are a few tips on how to make sure your pet stays safe during this season:
Hazardous Holiday Decor
- Secure your Christmas tree: If you have a live Christmas tree, make sure it’s secure and won’t tip over if your pet were to bump into or jump on it.
- No mistletoe or holly: These plants can cause digestive problems for pets if they eat them. If your pet has access to these plants, keep them away from him or her during the holiday season.
- Avoid tinsel: While it looks pretty on our trees, tinsel can be dangerous for pets who like to chew things off of their owners’ furniture or clothing–and then swallow them! So keep all decorations out of reach of inquisitive paws (and mouths).
- Watch lit candles: Never leave lit candles unattended around pets; even if they don’t start a fire themselves, there’s always a chance that one could catch something else on fire instead! Plus there are several ways this could lead directly back into our previous point about keeping decorations well out-of-reach… so just don’t do it!
Potential Holiday Food Dangers For Pets
Dogs and cats can experience a variety of health problems if they consume holiday foods that are unsafe for them. Chocolate, candy canes, leftover food and alcoholic beverages are all potential sources of danger for your pet.
Chocolate: Dogs love the taste of chocolate just as much as humans do; however this sweet treat is actually very toxic to them! Chocolate contains theobromine which is poisonous to dogs. The amount needed to cause harm varies depending on the type of chocolate consumed (i.e., dark vs milk) but any amount may be fatal if ingested by your dog or cat on Christmas Day!
Candy Canes: These festive treats also contain xylitol which is extremely dangerous to most pets including cats & dogs! Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many candies during the holidays such as gummy bears, mints & lollipops – just remember that even seemingly harmless things like hard candy could be harmful if eaten by your furry friend.
Prepare Your Pet For A Holiday Gathering
If you have a pet, it’s important to make sure they are comfortable in their environment, especially when there are unfamiliar people in their home. Pets are used to being in one place and may feel anxious if th
ey’re not able to stay in that spot throughout the entire holiday gathering. If possible, designate an area for your dog or cat where they can be alone when guests arrive (and during any
other times when visitors will be coming over). It’s also important that you inform guests about house rules involving your pets so that no one gets surprised by them later on!
If possible, put all medications away from where people will be eating and drinking–this includes medication intended for humans as well as any supplements or vitamins given specifically for dogs/cats (or other animals).
Have A Happy Holiday with Your Pet!
As you can see, there are many ways that our pets can be harmed by the holiday season. However, if you take a few precautions and keep your pet safe, then it should be okay! Remember that you are not only responsible for your pet’s health but also their safety when they are around other people and animals.
