Home for the Holidays: Pet Safety

As a pet owner, you already know what’s best for your fur friends, but there are extra precautions to take during the holidays to keep your pets safe in your home.

Foods to Avoid

Holiday celebrations mean tasty creations, but be careful what your pets have access to! Here’s a list of treats you’ll want to keep out of reach of your pets:

Chocolate - Toxic to cats and dogs

Coffee - Whole beans and grounds

Alcohol - Treat them to water instead

Grapes and raisins - Can cause severe kidney trouble

Garlic, chives, and onions in any form, including leeks and scallions - Found in many prepared foods, so don’t share scraps or leftovers

Bones - Poultry bones are especially dangerous because they splinter easily

Salt - Makes everything taste better to us but is bad news for your pets

Raw or undercooked meat or eggs - Might seem safe, but don’t risk it

Xylitol - This sweetener is extremely toxic for dogs

Fruit seeds and pits - Can cause choking hazards or contain components that cause irritation

Decor Safety

Most pet owners know to avoid poinsettias, but holly, ivy, and mistletoe are also poisonous. Definitely avoid bringing these items into your home, even if you think your pets won’t try to eat them. Also be careful with fire starter logs, which contain chemicals that can hard your pets, and keep tree needles swept to avoid your animals consuming them.

Tinsel, especially the very narrow icicle type, can be disastrous if ingested. This is true of most long, stringlike items. If your pet does ingest a stringlike item, never attempt to remove it from their mouth or the “other end” if it’s dangling. You could cause intestinal harm if you pull on it. Get to your vet immediately if you think your pet has ingested a foreign object.

Strung lights can be hazardous if chewed or if your animal gets caught in them. If you have very young or playful puppies or kitties, it might be best to keep these put away until next year. Same goes for candles; a lit candle can become a burned pet very quickly, especially if you have leapers or climbers in your household.

If you have a live tree, cover the water base to prevent your animals from drinking contaminated water. Fully secure the base and the tree so that it cannot topple if your pet paws at it or climbs it.

Emergency Planning

Have a plan in place if your pet needs care after business hours. Know where your closest emergency veterinarian’s office is, and ask your regular vet who they suggest or if they have an after-hours hotline. Add contact information to your phone, and make a list of any medications or unusual information an emergency vet would need to know.

With just a little forethought, everyone in your home will have a safe and happy holiday.

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