How to Tips to Help Your Pets Avoid Holiday Hazards

As we look forward to the many gatherings of family and friends during the holidays, we need to keep a few points in mind in order to keep our pets safe and healthy. Pet owners need to be aware that what may be considered harmless to humans, in the form of extra rich foods and decorations, may pose a serious health risk to our beloved family pet members.

Remember, your pets are not garbage disposals for any holiday leftover. If  your dog/cat swallows poultry bones, they can splinter and cause blockages. If your pet is used to having left overs, make sure they get meats without rich sauces or spices. It is always a good idea to give them fresh vegetables. Also, candy and sugar may give your pet diarrhea or other intestinal problems. This is not what you want to see at any time of the year! Older animals have more delicate systems and nutritional requirements. Do not give your pet chocolates--chocolate is POISONOUS. Some other problem foods for our pets: any alcoholic beverages, coffee grounds, espresso beans, moldy or spoiled foods, onions or onion powder, salt or yeast dough, raisins and grapes.

Most animals do not like change. If you are a cat owner, then you already know that cats are creatures of habit. They definitely do not like any kind of change in their daily routine, so if you move your furniture around for a large gathering, this disruption could cause your kitty to stop using the litter box. Crowds, noise and holiday festivities can frighten our animals. If they do not handle noise or crowds around, then give them a safe, quiet place they can retreat to until everything settles down. 

Any exposed wiring might look tasty to a puppy or kitten that loves to chew on things. Try to hide the wiring and tape down any exposed, loose wires to the baseboards. Holiday plants are another concern. Poinsettias, mistletoe, ivy, holly berries, bittersweet can all be poisonous or fatal if eaten. This is important to remember if you have small children in the house, also. 

Cats and dogs love to romp around in the discarded wrapping papers and boxes. Be sure to cut away the handles on the shopping bags, as small dogs and cats could easily choke on them. Also, keep aluminum foil away from your pets. If they swallow any bits of this, it can cause intestinal blockage and vomiting.

If you decorate a traditional Christmas tree, be sure to anchor it to the floor, so that if your cat decides to go climbing, he doesn't topple it over. You might consider decorating with animal friendly ornaments. Baking cookie ornaments that your dog or cat could eat can be fun. Do not use raisins to decorate the cookies, or if you do not have the time to bake, then decorate with small pet toys. These can be purchased all year with this thought in mind, at  many pet stores. Then you will be ready,and you will not have to worry about the safety of your pets, as glass ornaments can shatter in your pets mouth, cutting the tissues and causing an emergency visit to the veterinary hospital. It is easier and less expensive to protect your pet.

Believe it or not, some dogs and cats drink water from the Christmas tree stand. Do not allow this, as this water may contain fertilizers and bacteria which may lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Keep a tree skirt or covering around the bottom of the tree. 

This has been reported many times, but it bears repeating. Antifreeze is very dangerous. It has a very pleasant taste, but it contains ethylene glycol, which can cause rapid and permanent kidney damage to your pet if he swallows even a tiny amount. One teaspoon can be deadly for an average sized cat, which can swallow it just by walking through antifreeze puddles and then cleaning his paws. Four teaspoons can be dangerous to a 10 pound dog if he just laps it up off the garage floor. 

It is always wise to inspect your home to make sure that it is safe for all who live there. Remember, many of these tips apply to the safety of small children, as they are usually playing with their pets. Using common sense will help to keep the family out of the hospital emergency room or the veterinary hospital.    

For more articles, information and news on dogs,dog health and other issues pertaining to dogs read Sparrow Darling's site http://www.dogsandothercompanions.com