How to Avoid Holiday Pet Hazards
By miacarter on Gather.com
There's All Kinds of Holiday Hazards for Dogs and Cats at Thanksgiving,
Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's. There's All Kinds of Holiday Hazards
for Dogs and Cats at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's.
The holiday season is a joyful time, but it's also a time when pet owners
must be aware of holiday dangers for dogs, cats and other pets. A few simple
steps can help to make the holidays safe for dogs, cats and other pets.
*
Things You’ll Need:
* A Kennel, Spare Bedroom or Other Place to Safely
Confine a Pet.
* Pet-Friendly Holiday Decorations
* Non-Toxic Holiday Plants
* The Dedication to Look Out for Holiday Hazards
throughout the Holiday Season!
Step1
Get a crate, kennel or pet-proof a spare bedroom or other location that
will serve as a "safe room" for the cat, dog or other pets during holiday
gatherings. Holiday parties and holiday dinners are dangerous times for
pets, who may be exposed to children who interact with the pet inappropriately,
leading to dog bites. Guests may also leave potentially toxic foods - like
chocolate or bones leftover from a meal - lying within a dog's reach. Cats
and dogs can also slip out the door and escape when the guests are arriving
and departing. To avoid all these hazards, keep pets confined to ensure
safety and to minimize stress for the pet during holiday parties and dinners.
Step2
When cooking for a holiday meal, limit pets' access to the kitchen.
Holiday cooking can be stressful as it is; having a dog or cat running
around the kitchen will only pose dangers to the pets and to the cook,
who may accidentally trip over a dog or cat who gets under foot while carrying
a food item. This can lead to burns, cuts from broken glass, and even broken
bones for the pet if the human lands on top of the pet during a fall. Dogs
and cats may also try to steal potentially deadly bones or fat trimmings
(which cause potentially deadly pancreatitis in dogs and cats) from the
trash while the chef is busy cooking. So be sure to throw away all potentially
dangerous trash items in a covered outside trash receptacle too.
Step3
The holiday season is prime time for pet poisonings. Holiday candies,
food items inside a wrapped holiday gift, a plate of food left on a coffee
table by a guest, and the trash can are all sources of potentially poisonous
food items for cats and dogs. Keep an eye out for these toxic foods and
food-related dangers during the holiday season. In the event of an emergency,
know where the nearest 24-hour veterinary hospital is located keep the
ASPCA's Poison Control Center's number on-hand: 888-426-3325.
Step4
Be cautious when bringing plants into the home, as plants are a common
holiday hazard for pets. Many holiday plants can be acutely toxic to pets.
These toxic holiday plants include mistletoe, poinsettia and holly berries.
See the link below for an article that lists toxic plants for pets.
Step5
During a holiday gathering, keep jackets and purses out of the pet's
reach. Chewing gum, breath mints and candies are often found in a jacket
pocket or purse, and these food items can be deadly if they contain an
artificial sweetener called Xylitol.
Step6
Avoid using breakable glass ornaments and holiday decorations. Pet owners
should also avoid tinsel and garland, as this can cause intestinal obstructions
and other gastrointestinal issues. Also secure Christmas trees from mischievous
pets by affixing guide wires to the tree. Secure the guide wires to hooks
that can be temporarily placed on the wall; this will prevent the Christmas
tree from getting knocked over by a pet! Also avoid using edible holiday
decorations - they may just end up as your pet's next snack!
Thank you Mia!
~ Our Lhasa
luv's will truly melt your heart ~
LORD BLESS
YOU ABUNDANTLY! John 3:16
