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Keeping your pet safe during the holidays
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Leo unwrapping his present
As we approach the holiday season, it is important not to forget about keeping your pet safe. Even though the risks increase during this time, the tips for keeping your pet safe apply all year long.
The decorations that we use to decorate our house for the holidays can be dangerous to all types of pets. Dogs, cats and birds can chew and swallow foreign objects. Cats like to play with and bat at hanging decorations including artificial flowers and have a tendency to chew electrical cords. Dogs and birds simply enjoy chewing all of them.
If you decorate a Christmas tree and have active dogs, cats or birds, consider decorations that are not breakable, such as wooden, leather or some plastic ones instead of glass.
Also watch out for foods that are toxic to animals. All pets can die from eating chocolate. Baking chocolate is the most toxic kind. Therefore if you do any baking during the holidays where you use the blocks of chocolate for baking, be extra careful that pets do not have a chance to eat them.
Gifts can also pose another risk for pets. Some dogs delight in tearing the wrapping off of presents. Bows and ribbons can be a risk if swallowed.
By being aware of the dangers, you can avoid problems. One quick first aid trick to use if a dog swallows an object that is sharp (including chicken or turkey bones) is to give the dog a dose of Metamucil until you can get him to the veterinarian. This will form a coating around the object to help it pass through his intestines. If your dog will not eat a paste of Metamucil sprinkle some bullion crystals on it.
To keep your pets safe, always know where they are and what they are doing. Do not allow them to have access to dangerous objects, even if this means blocking access to a room in your house. Be sure food is not placed in areas where the pet can eat them, such as cheese/cookie trays left on coffee tables.
Always have the phone number for your local emergency veterinarian clinic handy.
With a little common sense and by being aware of risks, you can have a wonderful holiday season without risking your pet’s health.
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