Christmas Safety Tips for Pets

The Holiday Season tends to be a very exciting, hectic and stressful time of year for people. We all experience the financial pressures of buying gifts, and the added stress of trying to find those gifts, as well as balancing our normal lives, working, visiting friends and family, and attending parties and office functions. In the midst of all of our own issues, we sometimes forget about what is happening with our pets. While we are off tending to the demands of the season our pets are often left at home alone more than usual. And, for those of us that decorate our homes with a tree, lights, etc., we forget that we are introducing a plethora of news sights and smells into our homes. This can be particularly confusing for many pets, especially puppies and kittens who may have never experienced the holiday season before. Not to mention that with the season often comes house guests, and added visitors, which can also stress many pets.

Now, we are not saying that we should not celebrate the holidays, or even change any of our routines. However, there are a number of precautions that should be taken to safeguard our pets from many of the safety and health risks that go hand-in-hand with the season.

Christmas Tree Safety

If you are going to have a Christmas tree in your home there are some general rules of thumb to follow below (many of these rules also apply to households with small children)

• Keep breakable ornaments away from the bottom of the tree. It is much better to place them well out of reach, or not to use them at all.
• Secure your tree to a wall by using some high gauge fishing line and hooks or nails. This will prevent the tree from being tipped over by a dog desperate to get at that oh so shiny ornament, or a cat that can't resist climbing the limbs.
• If using a fresh tree change the water every 2 days. Pets have a tendency to try to drink the water which can make them ill if it has been standing for long. Better yet, use a tree skirt and keep the water hidden.
• Do not use any chemical treatments in the water of the tree. It may keep your tree fresher longer, but it can also make your pet violently ill, or worse yet it can kill them.
• If using a fresh tree also be diligent about clearing the fallen needles of the floor, many pets will try to eat them and this can pose a chocking hazard, or if they eat enough of them can cause them to have a bad stomach ache coupled by diarrhea and vomiting.
• While we are on the subject of fresh trees, I will warn that some pets can not resist using the tree as their own personal lavatory. Hey, they don't know why it is in the house, they just know that outdoors it is their own personal bathroom - why should it be different because it is inside?
• Do not use strand tinsel on the tree at all, or anyplace else in the home that your pets can reach. Strand tinsel is a serious chocking hazard.
• Keep the wires from the tree lights covered and out of reach. If this isn't possible, use natural Bitter Apple Spray to deter your pets from chewing on the electrical wires.
• Use common sense, and don't use any edible decorations on the tree. Popcorn strands may look nice, and be nostalgic, but trust me, you won't find it very pretty after your dog has shredded the tree to eat the popcorn. The same goes for candy canes - you might think the peppermint to be a deterrent - think again.
• One thing to try is placing a kennel gate/baby gate around the perimeter of the tree to keep curious paws and noses away from the tree. If at all possible you can try to put the tree in a room that can be closed off when you are not at home.

Toxic Plants and Foods

Do not place any of the following items in spots that can be reached by pets:

• Poinsettias, Amaryllis and Mistletoe are toxic plants to dogs and cats. Ingestion of the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or worse. Do not place these plants on the floor, or in spots your dog or cat can reach.
• If giving Chocolate food gifts out as presents - do not place them under the tree, in low hanging stockings, or on the tree as decoration. Keep these items in a pantry, or cabinet that is well out of reach. Chocolate ingestion can be fatal in a high enough quantity.
• If cooking a turkey for dinner make sure that none of your guests give your pets any bones. These bones can easily splinter and pose a serious chocking hazard. In fact, you should ask that all your guests do not give your dog any table food at your holiday gathering. Imagine how much food a begging dog could get if just 1/2 your party guests gave him/her some table scraps? This could make for quite the stomach ache, or can be much more serious if your dog was given anything inappropriate. See the ful list of Toxic Foods, and Toxic Plants

General Christmas Hazards to Avoid

• A lit fireplace might look beautiful, but make sure that it is covered and that your curious pet can not get to it at all
• The same goes for candles. Lighting candles all around a room might create a lovely mood for a holiday party, but candles that can be easily tipped over by a dog or cat that jumps on furniture is not such a great idea. Place candles in hurricane lanterns with a lid, and keep them completely out of reach.
• Window displays, toy train sets, or any of the other many moving holiday decor might be gorgeous, but make sure you keep them well out of reach. Some pets will get highly stressed by animated figures that sing or move on motion detectors - so use common sense, and observe your pets behavior around certain objects.
• Give your pets a place to retreat should all your company become overwhelming for them. Set-up a quiet room in your home and designate it a non-guest area. Put some of your pets toys in there, a water bowl, and place a comfy pillow or bed down for your pet to lounge in.

Remember, give your pet some extra attention and love during the season. They do not understand what is going on, and it will provide them with comfort.

All of us at PetAmore.com wish you, and your loved ones a Pawfectly Happy Holiday Season!