Keeping Your Pet Safe During the Holidays

As the holidays approach, you might be caught up in the chaos of the season and forget that there are many aspects to the décor and food that can be harmful to your pets. Perhaps you’ve heard conflicting information and aren’t sure what food you should not to give your dog in Phoenix, AZ, or what constitutes safe holiday pet treats. Here are our top tips for keeping Fluffy or Fido healthy and happy all winter long.

Safe decorating tips

• Never leave candles unattended: As much as we love lighting candles, they can spell disaster when you have a playful (or even oblivious) pet. They can accidentally knock over lit candles, which can lead to spilled wax, fire hazards and singed fur or paws.
• Anchor your tree: Cats especially love to climb trees—and knock them over. If you’re putting up a tree, be sure to anchor it to the wall. (You may also want to avoid breakable ornaments.)
• Avoid poisonous plants: Holly and mistletoe can be poisonous if your pets ingest them, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
• Toss the tinsel: Cats love tinsel, which is fun to bat around—but if they ingest it, it could obstruct their digestive tract. This could lead to dehydration, vomiting and even surgery.
• Hide the wires: Your pet might not be able to resist chewing on wires, battery packs and other electrical temptations. To avoid the risk of shock, hide the wires as best you can and never leave your pet unattended.

Foods to avoid

• Keep away from sweet treats: Chocolate and xylitol can be deadly for your dogs, so try to avoid any extra temptation by keeping your food sealed and your pets far away. Seal your garbage can lids, too, so they can’t get into something that’s not good for them.
• Avoid people food: Actually, it’s just good practice to avoid giving your pets “people food” altogether—especially if it’s fatty, spicy or contains animal bones. Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, or worse.
• Alcohol is for adult humans, not pets: Alcoholic drinks can be incredibly harmful to Fluffy, causing anything from weakness to coma and death. Never leave your drinks unattended when you have animals roaming the home.

With a little preparation, you and your pets should be able to have a safe and happy holiday season. Remember, if the crowds and temptations get to be too much, putting them in a quiet room is great for their sanity (and yours). You may also wish to distract your pet by getting them some safe and special holiday pet treats in Phoenix, AZ, just for them.

Your friendly Phoenix veterinarian

Caring for your pets is our job, so when you need help or advice about keeping your fuzzy family members happy and healthy, bring them to Christown Animal Hospital. From preventative care to more serious health needs, as well as boarding and grooming services, we provide a comprehensive array of services to help you and your pets. Call or stop by today to make an appointment.

Categorised in: Pet Safety

This post was written by Writer