The holiday season is a time filled with food , family line , friends — and lots of possible holiday hazards for pets .
“ It ’s a busy fourth dimension and pets may be confused or excited by what is going on and we may be less attentive than usual , ” saysBrian Collins , DVM , DABVP ( Canine and Feline Practice ) , senior lecturer at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine .
“ It can also be a fun sentence for positron emission tomography if we keep their safety in idea while including them in the festivities wherever possible , ” Dr. Collins add .
Preparing forward of prison term for holiday pet prophylactic can aid put you and your family at ease and avail fend off favorite emergencies during this particular time of year .
7 Holiday Hazards for Pets to Avoid
Unfortunately , there are many holiday hazards for pets that could harm your four - legged friend . Keep an centre out for the follow potential jeopardy to keep your pet secure and sound as you celebrate .
1. Candles
Candlescan create a quick and peaceful ambiance in your home during the holidays — but they are dangerous for pets .
“ Candles may be part of vacation decoration or spiritual celebrations , ” Dr. Collins says . “ Candles can get knocked over by a curious Arabian tea or a dog ’s well-chosen tail , make either injury to them as well as a potential fire peril . ”
How to avoid a mishap : If your pet is cast to candles , you might play it dependable and go with artificial candela option .
“ If using real candles , keep them out of the reach of pet or keep the pet part in the house from where the candles are being used , ” Dr. Collins say . “ believe safer option such as battery - operate , flameless candles or other ornament . Always be sure to have a functional fire extinguisher in your habitation . ”
2. Seasonal stress and anxiety
The holidays are a bustling time and can increase stress and anxiousness for your pets .
“ Holiday chaos , gimcrack noises , and unfamiliar guests can heighten anxiousness and stress in pets , potentially lead to issue such as destructive behaviour , hiding , or even attempts to escape , ” says Erin Askeland , CPDT - KA , CBCC - KA , animal health and doings expert atCamp Bow Wow . “ Pets result alone for recollective periods of time or more frequently than common may also go through stress due to these changes in their bit . ”
How to avoid a mishap : Create a safe , serene environs for your pet , and conceive usingcalming aids .
“ Some andiron will do good being by themselves in a quiet way away from the festivities , perhaps even with a crate for security if they are customary to that , ” Dr. Collins says . “ Some pets may benefit from medication to keep them calm and relaxed . Consult with your veterinary surgeon ahead of time so there ’s plenty of time to prepare . ”
3. Chocolate
Chocolate finds a topographic point in almost any holiday celebration , but it is incredibly dangerous todogsandcats .
“ Chocolate contains theobromine and caffein , which people can metabolize well but not so for cats and dog , ” Dr. Collins says . “ uptake of a harmful amount can lead to meek symptom , such as an confused stomach and restlessness , to more serious symptom , such as gist job , seizures , and even death . Accidental consumption is more common in blackguard than in true cat because it is more appealing to heel overall , but both dogs and cats can suffer from chocolate toxicity . ”
How to avoid a mischance : Be passing careful to keep chocolate - arrest goody out of your PET ’ reach .
“ Keep the burnt umber out of range — whether it is umber candy or baked into cookie , cakes , Brownie , etc . , ” Dr. Collins says . “ Advise guests of the risks and monitor kid close who may innocently need to share their Halloween confect with the family dog . favourite may find coffee in coat pocket , handbags , or wrap up as a natural endowment . If you have pets , be sure to ask if a giving is edible before you put it under the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or leave behind it within a pet ’s reach . ”
4. Toxic plants and flowers
There are many holiday plant life and flowers that may be toxic to your pets .
“ Popular vacation plants such as poinsettias , mistletoe , and holly can be toxic to dogs and cat if absorb and may induce symptoms ranging from mild GI distress to more severe way out like heart problem or even dying , ” Askeland say . “ Plant solid food and plant food can also be prejudicial to a dearie ’s health . ”
How to avoid a mischance : Do your inquiry ahead of time before you bring any plants or flush into your place or before you give them as a gift to mass with deary .
“ Cats are experts at touch anything that you try on to put out of their reach . With some plants such as lily , there ’s no point in taking the risk of exposure , as ingestion of any part of the industrial plant can be fatal , ” Dr. Collins says . “ If you are air flowers to someone , please call for the florist to avoid any that are not safe with pets . The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center containsextensive liststhat classify plant as either non - toxic or toxic . ”
Askeland offers another piece of advice : “ Consider using artificial variation of these plants to still attain the festive look without the risk , though you still need to make certain pets are n’t chew or eating these alternative choice . ”
5. High-fat or toxic foods
If your pets get a storage area of leftover , it can be dangerous if they feast on table scraps — specially if the foods are high in fat .
“ Overconsumption of food in general or intake of dangerous food point can lead to many undesired import , ” Dr. Collins say . “ Dogs and kat generally have comparatively static diet , so if they consume unfamiliar food , it can precede to balmy GI ( GI ) suffering , such as vomiting and diarrhoea , and an even more serious condition such aspancreatitis . This is especially likely with food that contains in high spirits - fat content ( like core , gravy , and cheese ) . ”
In summation , certainhuman foods can be toxic to dogsand cats .
“ Some food may hold an artificial bait calledxylitol , which can have fatal consequences if ingested by dogs , ” Dr. Collins says . “ Ingestion of bonescan lead to blockages or perforations of the gilbert tract . Food cook with onions is toxic . raisin and grapes can be life sentence - threaten to both quat and dogs . Corn cobs are very appealing to dogs , but eating them often leads to GI blockage . ”
How to void a bad luck : Don’t leave ducky unattended when nutrient is out on the table or rejoinder and properly store solid food when you are finished eat .
“ attempt to foreclose accidental consumption by keeping food out of your pet ’s reach — which can be unmanageable if you have a large dog that can reach the counter or a cat who is able to jump that high , ” Dr. Collins say . “ need guests not to offer unapproved mesa food to pets . Trash should also be secured to prevent pets from feast on it . ”
6. Christmas trees
Your intimation tree may be pretty to look at , but for curious pets , it ’s a prime object for climbing , chewing , and destruction .
“ Christmas trees pose multiple hazards , ” Askeland say . “ Pine needle can do gastrointestinal blockages or perforations , tinsel , and ornament can be choking hazards , and electrical cord for lights can lead to severe electric shock if chewed . ”
How to avoid a mishap : Take proactive measure to make your Christmas tree diagram more pet - friendly .
“ batten down your tree to prevent it from tumble over , use dearie - well-disposed decorations , and cover electrical corduroys , ” Askeland says . “ Always oversee pets around the tree diagram or count using a baby logic gate to limit their access . ”
7. Cold weather and antifreeze
Winter climates come with photograph threats , as well as potential intake ofantifreeze .
“ Cold weather bring its own challenges , include the risk ofhypothermiaandfrostbite , ” Askeland say . “ to boot , antifreeze spills can be extremely toxic ; even a small amount consume can be fatal . ”
How to fend off a misadventure : Protect your pet from extreme temperatures and keep them aside from antifreeze mathematical product .
“ set your dog ’s exposure to inhuman conditions and always clean up antifreeze release immediately , ” Askeland says . “ Use favored - good antifreeze products and ensure your heel has a fond , dry position to stay on deep down . ”
If you have a cat who likes to stray outdoors , take steps to keep themwarm and dependable in wintertime , such as provide access to an enclosed infinite aside from the elements and assure their water supply bowl does n’t freeze out over .
Holiday Pet Safety: Other Ways to Protect Your Pet
As a pet parent , there are many ways you’re able to implement holiday pet safety tips to keep your dog and big cat secure . Here are some additional tips for avoiding a holiday misadventure .
Use pet identification tools
If your favorite safety valve by accident amid the holiday festivities , pet identification tags and tool can help oneself you relocate them .
“ Be sure your pet is place in at least one style — an ID tag on a collar / harness and/or a chip , ” Dr. Collins aver . “ If people will be coming and move with door opening a lot , it may be best to keep cats and dogs confined to a closed way so that the risk of escape is minimise . ”
Ask guests to leave their pets at home
Unless your own pet is welcoming and friendly toward other ducky , present a new pet during a vacation get - together can produce a stressful surround for your pet .
“ If guests ask to bring their pet with them , it may not be the best time to do so for the first metre during holiday activities , ” Dr. Collins articulate .
Have emergency information handy
Your family veterinarian ’s office is likely close overnight , as well as on weekend and holiday . In case of emergency , have the proper phone numbers game and computer address for emergency favorite services pronto available .
“ Know ahead of time where to take your pet if there is an emergency — especially if you are locomote with them , ” Dr. Collins says . “ If you have any doubts about your pet ’s health , call a veterinarian as soon as potential . The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline is a very valuable seed of information . ”
Brush up on training
take taking a training stratum or workshop with your pet to brush up on skills before guests come over and do your best to stick to your pet ’s subroutine so they are still getting the exercise and mental stimulation they necessitate . This can also help decrease stress in the hustle and fuss of the vacation season .
You may also consider pet Clarence Day care or boarding choice that can allow for fun activities for your deary outside your household to keep them occupied and out of harm ’s way .