Holiday Safety for you Pet

The holidays are a wonderful time of year! It really brings people together and many times lifts peoples spirits! While we are enjoying the festivities it is important to make sure our pets are kept healthy and safe. Here are some suggestions for a great holiday season with your furry friend! 

 

These beagles may end up on the naughty list! (Image Source)

One of the most important and perhaps often overlooked aspects of keeping pets safe over the holidays is ensuring they have proper identification. This can be a collar and id tag or ideally a microchip. Use this time of year to ensure that all the information is up today and current. With company coming in and out it is much easier for pets to escape, or if you are traveling and they are stressed or in an unfamiliar environment they may try to bolt. Make sure that they can be clearly identified so they are more likely to be returned to you!

 

This could lead to an expensive ER visit (Image Source)

Decorations are a big part of the Christmas season. These can be very tempting to our pets. Ribbon on presents or tinsel in trees may seem like fun toys for cats but they can actually lead to a gastro-intestinal obstruction if ingested. No one wants to spend the holidays in the animal emergency room if they can help it! Also make sure trees and heavy decorations are stabilized as pets can sometimes knock them over and be injured. Ensure that any edible presents or candles are up high where pets cannot access them. Even though it is wrapped they can still smell it!

 

Just say no to people food for your pets! (Image source)

Another consideration is all the food and treats that will be around the house. Make sure the garbage is secure and pets cannot gain access to it. Also keep treats (chocolates, fruit cakes, unbaked bread dough etc) out of reach. These can cause massive gastrointestinal upset and make your pet miserable. In some cases the if the ingest enough it can be life threatening.

 

He is ready for Santa! (Image Source)

Another way to help keep pets safe is to give them a nice quiet place that they can get away from the hustle and bustle if they need to. It should be place where no one is allowed to bother them and they feel secure. The holidays are a time to celebrate with loved ones! We want to make sure you and your furry friends have a happy and safe holiday season! For more tips you can visit the following websites here and here.