Merry and Bright: Holiday Pet Safety
The holidays are upon us, and if you’re decking the halls, we’re sure your pets are right there with you! It’s fun to celebrate the season with our best fur pals, but sometimes the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can leave room for a pet accident or injury, and land us in the emergency clinic – the last thing anyone wants.
So, let’s spend a moment talking about how to have a safe and fun holiday with your pet!
Holiday Pet Safety
Holiday pet safety hinges on three things: awareness, attentiveness, and prevention. When you know what could get your pet into trouble, it’s much more likely that you’ll be aware and take necessary steps to prevent any mishaps.
Decorations and Disasters
The holiday season wouldn’t be the same without all the traditional and beautiful items we decorate our homes with. Whether from the glowing candles of a Menorah, a sparkling Christmas tree, or a living room full of poinsettias, holiday decorations are lovely and time honored. They can also spark our pet’s natural curiosity, ending in disaster. Here’s what to watch out for when it comes to our pets.
- Christmas tree and tree water
- Tinsel and ribbon
- Lit candles
- Strings of lights
- Glass or breakable ornaments
- Holiday plants
Keeping all these things out of your pet’s reach may be a tall order, so get creative with supervision. And, you can add more pet friendly holiday decor; think battery powered candles, faux plants, or a lovely artificial tree.
Dining Dangers
When it comes to holiday food, nothing makes our mouth water more, and you can bet that your pet’s mouth is watering, too! But animals do not generally tolerate fatty, rich, and salty foods well, and the result of overindulgence can be GI upset, a foreign body obstruction or even a serious and painful inflammation of the pancreas known as pancreatitis.
Don’t think you’re doing your pet any favors by letting her go hog wild on the holiday (even if you do). Instead, we’ll give you some great options for sharing the food-related fun with her, safely:
- A dollop of plain mashed or sweet potatoes (skip the cream, sugar, butter, salt, and marshmallows)
- Cooked plain green beans, Brussels sprouts, or carrots
- A small piece of lean white turkey meat
- Fresh apple pieces (small enough not to choke on)
If you’re not aware of the holiday food “don’ts” for pets, here’s an important list. Your pet should avoid:
- Alcohol
- Yeasted bread dough
- Chocolate
- Macadamia nuts
- Grapes, raisins
- Chives, onions, and garlic
- Dairy (milk, cream, whipped cream)
In addition, keep these food related items out of reach of your pet:
- Unattended leftovers
- Poultry or other meat string, aluminum foil, and food wrappers
- Garbage and compost
- Table scraps, including poultry skin, fatty parts, and gravy
- Bones of any kind
Xylitol – Fatal Toxin for Dogs
Xylitol is an urgent hazard because it is incredibly common and highly toxic to dogs. Ingesting even a small amount can be fatal, rapidly causing dangerous blood sugar drops and potentially leading to liver failure. Check the ingredients on everything that enters your home—especially human treats, chewing gum, and peanut butter.
Manufacturers often complicate safety by using these different names for Xylitol on packaging. Be sure to look out for the following terms:
- Birch sugar
- Birch bark extract
- Birch sap
- Sugar alcohol (Though there are safer types of sugar alcohols, Xylitol is the most dangerous kind for dogs.)
Holiday Parties
Parties and gathering with family and friends are all part of the holiday season. You want to include your furry family, of course, but is it right for them?
Most pets don’t love a crowd, and strangers, activity, and any change in routine can cause them anxiety and stress and cause undesirable behaviors. Other pets are more social, and so it’s wise to pay attention to the individual needs of your pets.
If you’re going out, leave your pet at home rather than expose them to a crowd of strangers and unfamiliar surroundings. Pets should never be left unattended in a car, especially in the cold Auburn winter. If you’re worried about anxiety, consider hiring a pet sitter or boarding your pet for the evening.