Holiday Pet Safety: Keep the Tinsel and Chocolate Away!

Pet safety is always important, but especially at holiday time.  

The other day my 11-year-old cat, Derek, (more little human than cat) wanted attention. He promptly jumped up on the kitchen counter, looked up at me and threw up on the counter. He got my attention: He had eaten the real spruce greenery from a Xmas decoration. I know roughage is important but that is ridiculous!

All of the decorations, food, shopping & celebrations happening now can be stressful for us but also for our pets so pet safety is a priority! Like other holidays like Halloween that challenge pet safety, Christmas is no exception!

• Xmas tree Pet Safety: Avoid tinsel! Your pet may think that it is a toy to play with and they may accidentally swallow and choke on the tiny strings. Avoid  decorating your tree with popcorn or other food items and remove all edible gifts from under the tree. You should also try to hang small and breakable ornaments out of your pet’s reach (kitty delight!)
• No Chemicals: Keep chemicals out of tree’s water. It may keep your tree fresh longer, but it can prove very harmful   to your pets. Do not allow your pet to drink the tree’s water because it can get dirty very quickly &  needles fall into the water dish. A tight-fitting tree skirt over the tree stand may  help to prevent this. Keep fresh water available for drinking.

•  Secure Electric: Lights are very inviting, not only to you and your neighborhood, but to your  curious pets as well. Make sure that all of your electrical connections and outlets are secured and concealed. Tape electrical cords to the walls or floors to ensure that your pet will not chew on them.
•  Edible treats are a no-no for pet safety: Never hang edible treats: unwrapped candy canes, chocolate wreathes, etc. in dangerous places, such as near a fireplace  or on a Christmas tree. Stick with Milk Bones or Meow Town Catnip! Keep the 3 Musketeers, candy canes and Hershey Kisses out of sight to guarantee pet safety!
  

•  Holiday Plants Can Be Deadly: Poinsettias, amaryllis, mistletoe, and holly are traditional and beautiful but they are poisonous to  pets. If  ingested, they may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or even more serious problems. Pet safety = silk plants?
• Avoid Over-Stimulation: Before your family celebrations, make sure that your pets have a safe, quiet area where they can rest.

• No Holiday Table Food: After you have had your fill of holiday turkey, ham, chicken, and/or roast beef make sure you throw those bones away – do not  give them to your pet!  Bones can  splinter easily and cause damage to your pet’s throat and intestines. Bones can also become lodged in your pet’s throat, which  may result in your pet not being able to breathe.

• No Human Treats to insure Pet Safety: You should also avoid feeding your pet chocolate, candy, and cookies, which can be toxic to their health. Feeding your pet these  products can result in extreme vomiting and can make your pet very sick. (Save money on Vet bills & carpet cleaner!) Don’t allow guests to feed your pets.
•  Discard Ribbons & Wrappings: Pet safety dictates that after your gifts are opened,  dispose of all plastic wrappings, ribbons, and bows that can be easily swallowed by curious  pets. My cat once ate about four feet of wrapping cord and e noticed it when our other cat was chasing is “tail”! Sassy was lucky to survive!

•  Name Tags Please: Pets can sneak out around guests or owners coming home with packages and leaving the door open to make another trip!  Make sure that all of your pets have proper ID tags on at all times because if your pet were to  become lost, you would have a much greater chance of finding them if they have identification.

We all have a better holiday when our children and pets are safe and sound.  Just a little advance planning can make your holiday seamlessly safe!

Editor's Note: Jan Leasure is the creator of $uper $aver Survival, a time & money saving website which features frugal living advice, household tips, coupons, recipes, giveaways and more. Please visit www.Jan-Leasure.com and join her savings community!