The holidays are time for being with family and friends, and this includes your pets. You need to give your pets special attention during the winter season to make sure they are comfortable and safe with the changes you’re making around your home. Here are a few tips on holiday safety for pets:
Don’t Feed Your Pets People Food
While you may be tempted to give your pets extra treats during the holidays, you may be putting them in harm’s way. You also need to pay attention to what your pets can reach on your countertops and tables to make sure they don’t get anything they’re not supposed to. The following three items are just a few of the most common items to avoid.
- Turkey: Fatty foods like turkey and turkey skin can lead to dangerous conditions like pancreatitis in dogs. PetEducation.com explains that if your dog steals or is fed greasy food, they may be at higher risk of getting this disease.
- Desserts: These are another common problem for your pets. They usually contain a lot of sugar and fat, making them too rich for your pets to digest. In addition, an artificial sweetener called “xylitol” can cause liver problems in your dog.
- Chocolate: Most people know that chocolate can be harmful to dogs and cats, but it can’t be overstated. Make sure all chocolate is put away in sealed containers where your pets can’t reach it.
Secure all Decorations
Food isn’t the only thing you need to be careful of when it comes to holiday safety tips. Your Christmas decorations also can be a hazard, including the following:
- Christmas trees: Cats love jumping on Christmas trees. Be sure to secure it to the wall so it doesn’t tip and monitor your cats to make sure they stay safe. If you have a real tree, you also should not add aspirin, sugar, or any other additives that your pets may get into.
- Holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias: All of these plants are poisonous to your pets. Keep them off the floor and out of their reach to avoid any accidents.
- Ornaments and tinsel: Ornaments can easily break or be swallowed by your pets. Make sure they are secure on your tree and quickly clean up any broken pieces. Tinsel also tends to attract cats because it reflects the light. Either forego putting tinsel on your tree or make sure your cats don’t swallow any of it so they don’t have intestinal problems.
Be Considerate When Throwing Parties
The holidays usually mean there are extra people coming in and out of your house. While some pets may love the hustle and bustle and attention they receive from your guests, others may be more nervous about the situation. Consider their feelings with the following holiday party occurrences:
- Guests: If your pets get a little antsy around strangers, make sure they have a safe place to go, such as a kennel, backyard, or separate room. Also tell your visitors if your pets don’t like to be pet or need some time alone.
- Noise: Between your visitors, music, fireworks, and other noises, it can feel overwhelming to your pets. Make sure they feel comfortable and safe in your home and they have a quiet place where they can relax. Products like Thundershirts also can help if your dogs have anxiety from the noise.
The holidays should be a happy time for every member of the family, including your pets. Take a few precautions and watch them carefully during the holiday season to make sure they stay safe.
