Holiday Pet Safety

The parties, meals and decorations which excite all of us during the holidays can be a hazard to your pet. This doesn’t mean you have to change or cancel your festivities, just include the proper planning and precautions for the safety of your pet. While each pet is different here is a list of the most obvious things to plan for a safe holiday season for your pet.

Holiday Foods need to be kept out of your pet’s reach. Your pet finds the food just as irresistible as you do and will indulge as the opportunity presents itself. Remember, chocolate, alcohol and other foods that may be good for us can be toxic to your pet.

Many of our decorations use electric or power cords. Many pets think power cords are great chew toys. Whether it’s the desire to see what the cord tastes like and having a shocking experience or the rough play running around the house and tripping making the tree fall down, cords can get in the way and wreak havoc if not properly secure. All lighting

and electric cords need to be hidden or secured from your pet’s access. Tuck your cords securely against the wall so they won’t be played with or, if necessary, spray the cords with an aversion spray. Something with pepper is always a good deterrent.

Make sure your pet has their own safe spot. Whether it be in their crate if they are crate trained or in their own pet bed in the living room, don’t make their safe spot the new place for the tree or other holiday items. Pets are creatures of habit and thrive on routine, let them know that even with all the fun, this is still their home and they still have their designated safe spot.

Plants we love and decorate with for the holidays can be dangerous to your pets. Mistletoe, holly, lilies and poinsettias call all be poisonous and affect each pet in different ways. Make

sure your plants are placed out of reach as to not be eaten.

With guests and family visiting during all the festivities, the chance of your pet getting out increases. This makes it very important for your pet to have up to date tags and your pet’s

microchip information is up to date. You may have moved or contact information changed and not updated your pet’s chip.

Nothing dampens the holiday festivity mood than having a sick or injured pet that needs to be taken to the emergency pet hospital. Just as a precaution make sure you know where you

emergency pet clinic is located near you.