Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pet!

The holidays are in full swing and with only 12 days left until Christmas, now is the time to educate yourself on some pet safety tips! We don't want Fido feeling "under the weather" for the biggest holiday of the year!

Below you will find our 12 tips for keeping your dog safe this holiday season:


12 - Secure Your Tree
Make sure to anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.

11 - Have a Tinsel-FREE Tree
Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.

10 - Stick To Your Pet's OWN food
By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising fur kid will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.

9 - Beware of LIVE Plants
Holly, poinsettias, lilies and mistletoe are especially toxic to our furry friends. Trade out the live plants this year and opt for some nice artificial ones instead.

8 - Pick Your Stocking Stuffers Wisely
Stick to pet friendly toys and treats to avoid any unwanted mishaps or illnesses.

7 - Forget The Leftovers
While it may be tempting to feed Fido the leftovers, skip it this Christmas. Their tummies and their physique will thank you! :)

6 - Keep an Eye on the Candles
Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over.

5 - Be Weary of Wires
Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet's mouth.

4 - Cocktail Caution
If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

3 - Keep The Medicines Out of Reach
Much like we baby-proof our homes, make sure pets don't have access to things that can harm them. Among those, medications! Keep them locked in a cabinet and out of Fido's reach!

2 - Give Them a Quiet Retreat
The holidays aren't just overwhelming for us, they can be for our furry friends too! Give your pet its own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from all the holiday commotion.

1 - Ring in the New Year Right
As you count down to 2011, keep in mind that noisy poppers and fireworks can terrify your furry family and cause possible damage to sensitive ears.

Cheers to a wonderful & safe holiday season!

M.J.

Source: Adapted from - Holiday Safety Tips from ASPCA