Not-So Holly Jolly Holiday Hazards

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season means an increased potential for problems with your pet’s health and happiness. Watch out for these potential pet concerns to keep spirits bright.

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE

Timber! Keep your tree securely upright to protect your climbing cat or excited dog. Clean up pine needles frequently, and use a tight-fitting tree skirt to restrict your pet’s access to the tree’s water. Both can be harmful if consumed!

TINSEL, RIBBONS, AND BOWS, OH MY

Consumed, broken, or chewed decorations can cause serious health problems, so keep tinsel, ornaments, and wrapping paper out of reach and tuck string light cords out of sight.

DID YOU KNOW….

FOREIGN BODY INGESTION CLAIMS FOR CATS INCREASE BY 14% IN DECEMBER.

POISONOUS PLANTS

Decking the halls with boughs of holly (and mistletoe and poinsettias) may bring the holiday spirit, but if your pet ingests any of these plants, they can get very sick. Keep these holiday plants away from paws’ reach or opt for artificial plants instead.

CANDLE CALAMITY

Keep Menorah and other candles far enough away from pets that they can’t knock them over and potentially start a fire. Consider choosing electric candles instead; flameless candles flicker just like the real thing, but without the fire risk.

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR

Fireworks, poppers, and champagne make for an exciting New Year celebration for humans, but your pet might feel otherwise. Keep them relaxed by providing a quiet room with a fan, TV, or music playing to create white noise.

PARTY PEOPLE

Lots of unfamiliar faces and loud talking can stress your pets out. Exercise your dog beforehand and give them a special chew toy to keep them distracted. If they still seem stressed, put them in a quiet room away from all the commotion. Cats will probably hide all on their own.

FESTIVE FOOD FIASCOS

It’s best to keep your cat or dog on their regular diet during the holidays, but you can mix some pet safe human food in with their regular meal for a special treat. Check with your veterinarian for a full list of foods that are pet safe.

DID YOU KNOW….

THERE ARE 2.5 TIMES MORE CHOCOLATE TOXICITY CLAIMS IN DECEMBER THAN THE REST OF THE YEAR.

KEEP AWAY FROM PETS:

• Chocolate
• Fatty food, like gravy
• Spicy food
• Cooked bones
• Alcoholic beverages

SAFE TO EAT:

• Pumpkin
• Peanut butter
• Sweet potato
• Carrot
• Green beans

HEALTHY PET TIPS

• Holiday weight gain isn’t fun for any of us – including your pets. As we treat ourselves to delicious home cooked meals and comfort foods this holiday season it is important to monitor your pets holiday habits as well. When you are mastering those beautiful desserts and creating the most incredible smells all throughout your house with those roasts and turkeys, it is best to leave your four-legged companions out of the fun. There are other ways to show your love to your pets this holiday season. Take them outside for a long walk in the beautiful weather. They would probably love a fun car ride with some fresh air blowing their ears around. Hide some cat treats around your house so your kitty can hunt and find them. The bonding will be good for both of your souls.
• The new year is right around the corner. This year flew right by!! 2020 is going to be such a great year. We just know it. Let’s start the new year off on the right foot by ensuring that you have your pet’s supply of flea and heartworm prevention stocked up. With temperatures hopping around from cold to hot, it creates the perfect environment for a flea infestation. And don’t discount those pesky mosquitos. They are still very much a problem, even in these cooler months. You want to be sure your pet has the protection they need against heartworm.