Whether you are entertaining at home or taking your pet to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, keep your furry friends safe and their routine as normal as possible. Steer clear of unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations. Here are some tips for keeping Fifi and Fido in tiptop health.
House Rules:
If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you’re busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session. If you are having guests for the holiday, give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.
Put the Meds Away:
Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too.
The Tree:
Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. Keep your animals away from stagnant tree water which can breed bacteria and cause stomach upset. Place your Christmas tree in a corner, blocked off from your pet’s wanting eyes. If this doesn’t keep your dog or cat from attempting to jump onto the tree, you can place aluminum foil, a plastic drink bottle filled with knick knacks, or anything else that creates noise on the tree’s bottom limbs to warn you of an impending tree disaster. Clean up pine needles which can puncture your pet’s intestines if ingested.
Seasonal Plants:
Mistletoe and holly can nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and mistletoe can affect your pet’s cardiovascular system. Poinsettias are also poisonous to pets and lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested, so find a Thanksgiving or Christmas centerpiece that is not pet toxic.
Decorations:
Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. Ditto for gift wrap, especially ribbon which could be easily ingested.
Holiday Glow:
Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out. For some animals, scented candles can be a problem for wiggly respiratory systems, especially for diabetic cats.
Wired Up:
Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet’s mouth and digestive tract.
Holiday Food Dangers:
Keep your pets on their normal food routine and don’t leave appetizing dishes where they can be tempted to taste. Keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans. NEVER feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol. Ditto grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts and leftovers. Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. As for cocktails, leave your drink where pets can’t get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.
Gift Guide:
Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible. Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer.
New Year’s Noise:
As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat’s intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears. Remember that many pets are also scared of fireworks, so be sure to secure them in a safe, escape-proof area as midnight approaches.
Ask The Experts:
If you have a question about your cat or dog, contact your vet. If you don’t have one, look to Dr. Scott Tretz and staff at Bay Moorings Animal Hospital for ultra compassionate, expert care for your furry family member. Call 727.867.0118 or baymooringsanimalhospital.com.