If you are anything like me, no holiday is complete with out your best friend. It's important to realize however that the Holidays pose a danger to many of our household pets. Owners should be aware that many things humans enjoy and consume could cause life-threatening consequences. Here is a list of hazards to beware of during our times of celebration:
- FOOD: Chocolate is toxic to dogs and can be a killer if the dog is small or the chocolate is very pure. So don't let Fido into the kids Halloween candy or give him a piece of fudge or a sip of your hot chocolate. Any kind of poultry bones, turkey bones or steak bones can shatter into small pieces and become lodged in the dog's intestines. If you'd like to give your dog a special treat, pick up a hard bone (no raw hides or pigs ears) from a pet store or a knuckle or marrowbone from the butcher. Anytime you give your dog something they are not used to, this could cause their stomach to become upset. A little extra meat such as chicken, turkey or beef in their food bowl is fine but stay away from any type of fat, gravy, etc.
- PLANTS: Poinsettia plants, mistletoe and Holly are all poisonous. Keep these out of reach from pets. Pine needles on Christmas trees can be a hazard if digested. Kittens and puppies should steer clear of rooms with holiday trees, gifts, etc. As puppies love to chew, a Christmas tree is very tempting to ease the pain of new teeth emerging and sore gums.
- STRINGY THINGS & GLASSY TOYS: Ribbon, tinsel, electrical cords, lights, and ornaments are all recipes for disaster. Cats and kittens love tinsel and ribbon but if eaten, the tinsel can become hazardous to their digestive system. Even dogs can get these items lodged and they can actually cut the intestine causing devastating results if not caught in time. Many pets will vomit, become lethargic, have diarrhea, a fever, stomach pain, etc. Ingesting foreign objects into the body is one of the top ways animals can go to the vet during the holidays. Dogs and cats are not always completely acclimated to the human world we live in so it is our job to ensure their safety. Electrical cords and lights can cause shock and burns. Keep these items safely secured and out of reach especially with younger animals. Use three pronged grounded cords and check to see if your pet has tried to chew on any electrical items. Ornaments can break and cut paws, mouths, etc. The might look like tennis balls but their made of glass and your dog might not know the difference!
Candles are also dangerous if knocked over or played with.
- STANDING WATER: Dogs and cats love to drink out of unusual water sources- even our toilet bowls! Your water stand holding up a Christmas tree can have potential harmful chemicals in it as well as pine needles. Don't let your animals use this as a water source!
- HOLIDAY PET PROOFING: If you want to incorporate a safe environment for your animals during the holidays, pet proof your home by using such things as baby gates to block off rooms, an exercise pen around a Christmas tree, chocolate, plants, etc. always out of reach, plenty of pet friendly toys, fresh water bowls, and lots of exercise. Keep your animals on their regular diet and give them something safe as a special treat. Keep all human food away from pets or at a high level. Puppies and kittens should be strictly monitored and kept from holiday areas unless strictly supervised.
- HOLIDAY ANIMAL BEHAVIOR: During times of celebration for humans, we seem to get very wrapped up in the logistics of planning for a Thanksgiving meal to getting to the mall before they close on Christmas eve. Many of us over look the stress and anxiety that can be caused when people come and go from the house, visitors ringing the door bell, hectic activity or unusual smells. If you get a lot of kids coming to the house on Halloween, it may be a good idea to keep your dog in the back yard or a secure location in your home. A dog that is constantly monitoring for a potential visitor or trespasser to their territory can become anxious, overly excited and out of control. Minimize risk of injury to children if your dog has displayed any type of aggressive episode in the past by not allowing them near that area of your home. If you own an aggressive dog, make sure a room; crate or gate to a backyard is securely locked if you have to put them away. Take your dog out for a lot of exercise that day or morning off your property. Be aware of children and animals together at all times- both can be unpredictable around each other. Dogs and cats should have an area they can retreat to that is away from kids, commotion, and enjoy some quiet time. This is essential for older dogs that like to rest as stress can cause much more harm then good. Children have to be monitored not to tease pets or cause them to be defensive. If your dog has never been around a child before, don't use a holiday gathering as a testing ground. Keep your dog or cat on their normal routine as much as possible.
Be ware of open doors and gates to your home and always keep tags and collars on your pets incase they get out.
Make sure guests are aware of little dogs not being stepped on and rules such as not leaving a front door open, etc.
Lastly, some well-deserved, calm affection for your furry friend through out the day can prove to have some re-assurance that things are going to be all right.