The holidays are here! We hope all of you – and that includes your furry family members – have a happy and safe holiday experience. We want to share some various tips with you that will help keep your pets safe.

Let’s talk about holiday decorations first.

Mistletoe – while standing under the mistletoe with your partner may cause your heart to flutter, it can have a similar effect in an unhealthy way on your pet. It can cause cardiovascular concerns, in addition to gastrointestinal upset.

Holly – deck the halls with boughs of holly, but keep it out of reach of your pets. Holly, when eaten by your pets, can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Not quite the “presents” you’re looking for!

Tinsel – what’s not to like about the glittery stuff? However, it’s a lot better on the tree than being played with by your cat. Should your cat swallow some tinsel, it may lead to severe vomiting, dehydration, and possibly surgery if the tinsel obstructs their digestive tract.

Now let’s talk about food concerns.

Don’t share your sweets – definitely do not share your chocolate with your dog or cat, but also be aware of how stealthy our furry friends can be when they want to eat something they think will be tasty. Do not leave gifts under the tree that contain chocolate, be sure your pets don’t get up on the table or near unattended plates of food, and make sure that all garbage cans have secure lids.

Leftovers – don’t feed your pets fatty foods, spicy foods, or bones. They won’t enjoy it as much as you do – again, you’ll be facing gastrointestinal upset and all the unpleasantness that goes with it.

Adult beverages – if your pets ingest unattended alcohol-based drinks, they can become weak and/or ill. They may even go into a coma, which could possibly result in death from respiratory failure.

We’ve shared a lot of “don’t do” – let’s talk about some “do do” – no, not THAT kind!

Presents for your pets – safely digestible chew toys (or ones that are indestructible), kongs stuffed with healthy foods (peanut butter as an example), or for your feline friends perhaps a ball that’s too big to swallow, or a catnip toy.

A place of their own – if it gets a little noisy in the house, or there’s a lot going on, make sure your pet has a quiet place to retreat to – one with both fresh water and a place to snuggle in for a nap.

Baby gates – have some, but no human babies? These can be useful to keep your canine buddies out of certain areas. Cats will just jump over them…
​​​​​​​

So – enjoy the holidays, and do your best to ensure your pets do, also. We realize that the best-laid plans can go wrong, so have a plan if something does happen. Have an emergency clinic number handy, and (if needed) a cat or small dog carrier that’s ready to go.