5 Tips For A Safe Holiday Season

The halls are decked with holly, snow is falling in most of the country, presents are being bought and wrapped, trees are decorated, lights are up, and candles are being lit and parties are being held.  The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and merriment - and nothing can ruin that joy or merriment faster than a trip to the emergency vet because the dog devoured the box of candy meant for Aunt Sue, or the cat cut its paw playing chase with a fallen ornament.  Here are five simple tips for keeping your pets safe and your holiday joyful:

1) Keep the Christmas tree behind closed doors.   Dogs and cats (especially cats) are pretty convinced that you put up a Christmas tree solely for their benefit.  Cats especially are prone to both climbing Christmas trees, and to playing with the ornaments.  The best solution is to keep the tree behind closed doors when you are not at home.  If that is not an option, put a product like Sticky Paws around the base to discourage unwelcome furry visitors.

2) Do not leave live flames unattended. One quick swipe of a dog’s tail can knock over unattended burning candles.  Dancing flames are also attractive to cats and birds.  Avoid singed fur and feathers by keeping on eye on open flames at all times.

3) Avoid using scented candles and air fresheners.   Scented candles, air fresheners, even perfumes and potpourri can be toxic to birds.  To be on the safe side, choose air fresheners that are specifically marketed as safe for pets, and ask your guests to avoid wearing scents.

4) Don’t deck the halls.  According the ASPCA, mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems when ingested by pets. Holly can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats.

5) Be on the lookout for escapees .  If you have guests coming to stay or are planning to host a holiday party, request that everyone look around for animals before entering or exiting the house.  Cats are natural escape artists and can easily slip out unnoticed.  Dogs too are more than happy to race out a door that is being held open to welcome guests.  You may want to keep your pets in a closed room when a party is starting or ending to ensure that no one slips out unnoticed.

Happy holidays from Tara and the Petlane Team!

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