The holidays can be a joyous yet stressful time for you and your pet. If you are stressed, your best friend will pick up on your feelings and will feel stressed too. They and you will feel better if you keep some routines in place i.e. exercise, play, feeding, and sleeping schedule. Also with everyone coming and going, watch out for open doors. Make sure your pet is micro chipped in case of escapes. Also be sure to provide a special quiet place for your pet to retreat to when festivities get too stressful.
There are also hidden holiday hazards for your pets, for example, the Christmas tree – this can be a great climbing condo for your kitty, so either stabilize the tree with this extra weight in mind, or keep your kitty out of the tree completely. This can be accomplished with direct supervision, placing a barrier around the tree, or even using sophisticated motion detector equipment. Also, the water at the bottom of the tree is not a safe source of water to your pet – if ingested, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Ribbon and tinsel, if swallowed, can become lodged in your pet’s intestines and cause an obstruction. Emergency surgery is probably not your idea of fun on Christmas day for you, your pet, or your vet. Beware of broken glass ornaments and batteries as pets are curious and like to put all kinds of things in their mouths.
And please, please, please do NOT wrap packages of chocolate or foods and place them under the Christmas tree. Your pet will most definitely sniff it out and eat it before you know it. Chocolate poisoning is caused by theobromine, a caffeine-like chemical substance found naturally in chocolate. Also, please be aware of electrical cords and any chewy habits your put may have.
There are other holiday decorations your pet should avoid. Mistletoe and holly, especially the berries, are particularly toxic. Poinsettias can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach causing nausea and vomiting. Lilies found in many holiday flower arrangements can cause fatal kidney failure, especially to cats. Scented candles and liquid potpourris, so popular when entertaining, can be toxic when ingested or cause topical burns if spilled. Please avoid giving your pet that left over ham or turkey including any bones. Bones can cause gastro-intestinal obstructions and rich foods can cause pancreatitis, vomiting, and diarrhea.
So even though holidays are a time for giving, there are some things better left unshared. Take a little time to prepare and anticipate some of these common dangers so everyone can have a safe and happy holiday.
