Pet Safety During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is almost here! Including your pets in the holiday festivities can be exciting, but it’s essential to take some precautions. Whether you are celebrating Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, or Christmas, here are a few tips to help keep your pets safe during the holiday season.

Keep the Holiday Treats Out of Reach

Holiday celebrations mean lots of delicious food. Unfortunately, not all of these foods are good for our pets. Some commonly eaten holiday foods are toxic to pets. These include:

For more information on common holiday toxins, you can visit this article from the Pet Poison Helpline.

Keep in mind that even if a particular food isn’t toxic to your pet, it can be problematic. Some foods may cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Other foods, particularly foods that are high in fat, can cause a condition known as pancreatitis. This is a serious medical condition, and your pet will require medical attention.

The safest approach is to avoid feeding human food or table scraps to your pet altogether. Stick to their normal diet and treats made for pets. Never leave food unattended, and remind your guests to refrain from sneaking food to your pet when you’re not looking.

If your pet gets a taste of something they shouldn’t, please give us a call at 651-770-3250. We understand that accidents happen and are here to support your pet’s needs.

Decoration Dangers

While holiday decorations are beautiful, they can also be a tempting new play toy for your pet. Common holiday decoration dangers include tinsel, lights, and broken ornaments. Christmas trees often contain all of these dangers and are a tempting new climbing obstacle for cats.

If you are putting up a Christmas tree this holiday season, make sure it is properly secured. Ideally, you would like to keep your pets from climbing the tree, but in the event they do, make sure the tree won’t come toppling over. Keep decorations out of your pet’s reach, and keep a close eye out for any sneaky chewing.

Speaking of trees, it is also essential to keep toxic plants away from your pets. The most concerning holiday plants are lilies and mistletoe. Both plants are highly toxic and can be fatal for your pet. Poinsettias are also concerning but typically cause milder symptoms if consumed. Use caution when picking out your holiday plants and remove any harmful plants as soon as possible.

Fire Hazards

Candles are often a part of holiday celebrations, whether you’re lighting the menorah for Hanukkah or decorating the table for your Thanksgiving feast. Fire safety is always critical, but extra precautions should be taken when pets are around.

Make sure candles are kept out of your pets reach. You don’t want a wandering cat knocking over a candle or a wagging tail getting caught in the flame. Make sure candles are always fully extinguished after use, and lit candles are never left unattended.