Keep these items off of your shopping list and away from your four-legged friends during the hustle and bustle of the season.

Holiday Decorations and Your Pet

While trimming the tree is a timeless tradition, certain decorations can spell big trouble for your dog or cat (or other pet). Small ornaments can be ingested and breakable bulbs seem to attract the attention of kitties like nothing else.

To prevent ornament-related accidents or emergencies, remove these known culprits and opt for larger, unbreakable bulbs or other pet-friendly decorations.Before You Deck the Halls… Holiday Pet Safety Tips

  • Tinsel, icicles, and curly wrapping string – While not poisonous, these items can be ingested (most commonly by cats) and cause serious injury or rupture to the intestinal tract, resulting in a medical emergency. Take curly string off of gifts and avoid using any string-like garland or tinsel on the tree.
  • Edible ornaments and Advent calendars – Yes, that gingerbread ornament your daughter made last year is cute, and who doesn’t enjoy the excitement of an Advent calendar, but your dog won’t hesitate to snarfle these up given the opportunity. Edible ornaments are best kept off the tree and in your keepsake box and calendars hung well out of your dog’s reach.
  • Small ornaments – Many dogs will try and chew or even swallow smaller decorations and ornaments, which could get lodged in his or her throat or intestinal tract. Opt for larger decorations or keep ornaments out of the lower branches, where they are nose level with your pet.
  • Glass ornaments – How many glass bulbs has Whiskers broken over the years? Yet, we still insist on hanging them. Choose unbreakable options for the lower branches and breakable glass ornaments high in the tree. You may also want to anchor your tree to keep your cat from pulling it over and shattering ornaments.
  • Snow globes – These lovely orbs sometimes contain the ingredient ethylene glycol, or antifreeze, which, even in a miniscule amount, can cause irreversible kidney damage and failure. Plus, many of them are glass and therefore in the danger zone when it comes to wagging tails and curious paws.
  • Wires and cords – Nibbling or chewing on cords is a major hazard to your pet, and many cats, house rabbits, ferrets, and small mammal pets are likely to find these electrical cords when left in easy-to-reach places. Keep wires and cords bundled in protective tubing or tack them up high, out of reach.

Pets and Holiday Plants

Most of us love our seasonal baskets of fresh flowers and plants so common to the winter months. And, while we often rush the poinsettias out the door and away from our pets, did you know other common seasonal plants and flowers are much more dangerous than the infamous poinsettia? It’s true. The lily family is by far the most poisonous to your kitty – including stargazer, Easter, and day lilies.  To be on the safe side, keep lilies off of your list. Other toxic plants that can cause gastrointestinal upset and other health problems include holly, pine needles, and mistletoe. A bitter chew repellent spray may keep kitty from chewing on tree needles.

Holiday Parties and Pets

If you are hosting this year’s big holiday bash, assess whether or not your pet is up for the friendly social challenge. Common party threats include accidental escape, ingestion of toxic foods or alcohol left where pets can get to them, and general anxiety or stress. If you expect several guests, consider boarding your pet for the night or find a quiet, secure place in the home where your pet can “chill” and remain safe during the duration of the festivities.

If you ever suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous or hazardous, please phone us right away. Time is always of the essence in preventing serious emergencies.

Adding the sparkle and pizazz to your home and hearth is something most of us enjoy. And, with a few precautions, we can keep our home looking festive while keeping our pets safe, too.