Holiday Pet Safety

Nothing brightens up the holidays like a table laden with sumptuous, home-cooked foods, guests filling the house, and holiday decorations both inside and out! Yet all these wonderful holiday traditions are not necessarily as enjoyable to our pets as they are to us. Help your pet have a safe and happy holiday with our holiday pet safety tips!

Food Safety

It’s hard to resist the aroma of a holiday feast, especially for dogs and cats. However, certain foods can be very harmful to your pet, and it’s your responsibility to make sure these are kept out of your pet’s reach. Foods to keep away from your pet include:

  • Grapes and raisins (can cause renal failure)
  • Anything with sage or nutmeg
  • Onions (damages red blood cells)
  • Nuts (especially Macadamia nuts; can cause vomiting, weakness, muscle tremors, paralysis)
  • Turkey skin, gravy, gristle (if very fatty, can cause digestive upset)
  • Turkey bones (choking hazard, can also cause internal injury, bowel obstruction)
  • Chocolate (especially dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, seizures, irregular heartbeat)

Dangerous Decorations

Let’s be honest: decorations are harmless until they’re swiped at, bitten, or climbed by a curious, mischievous pet! Decorations to steer your pets clear from include:

  • The Christmas tree. The water is not to be drunk by thirsty pets. Also, whether fake or real, any pawing at its branches or climbing its trunk could cause it to topple over.
  • Tinsel and fragile ornaments. Cats love things that dangle and glitter. However, tinsel is easily swallowed, and fragile ornaments can break and shatter, getting glass or sharp plastics embedded in soft paws. Place them well out of reach!
  • Holly and mistletoe. Both of these festive plants can cause gastrointestinal upset if swallowed, so make sure they’re hung up high!
  • Twinkling lights and their cords. A small nibble on a cord or light could turn into a serious burn or electrocution. Keep lights and their cords secured away from your pet’s reach.

Giving Guests (And Pets) Their Space

Not all pets are social butterflies; and as hard as it is to believe, not all people like pets. Keep the harmony with these tips!

  • Remind guests that you have a pet before they come over. Guests will either squeal in delight, or huff and gruff a bit, so take the cue and ask if they’re comfortable around pets, or if they’d prefer more of a pet-free stay.
  • Give your pets a place of their own to retreat to. Even the most social pets may be overwhelmed by all the people and festivities. A quiet room gives them a chance to get away from it all and recharge.
  • Keep pets away from the ever-opening door. As you greet guests and send them on their way, the open door could make the perfect escape route for a watchful pet.
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A Safe Haven 24/7

Luckily, if your pet does get into trouble, and nibbles an electric cord, snatches some turkey skin, or crunches an ornament in their teeth, we’re here to save the holiday. Bring your pet straight to us for 24/7 emergency vet care!