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At holiday time, notably Thanksgiving and Christmas, we always make sure it is as safe and enjoyable as it can be for our family. We "kid proof", keep the tree watered, make sure the bird is thoroughly cooked, etc.. But, there may be members of the family that we forget about when it comes to holiday safety, and they are our pets, especially puppies and kittens. The holiday can hold as many dangers for them as for the kids. A few of the problem areas are briefly covered here.
Mealtime: We all like to share some of the Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with the dog or cat. But remember, too much "people food" is not always good. And what dog (or sometimes even cat), doesn't like bones. If your meal includes poultry of any kind, do not feed the bones. Poultry bones can splinter, form sharp points and lodge in the throat, gums or the roof of the mouth, causing real problems, including infection. Finally, don't feed them anything containing onions, be it stuffing, gravy, whatever you may be eating with any type of onion product as an ingredient. Onions can be toxic to both dogs and cats, causing something called Heinz body anemia :(www.bogartsdaddy.com/bouvier/Health/say-no-to-onions.htm). It is a gradual thing, but why tempt fate?
Decorations: We all decorate for the holidays to some extent. Some of these decorations may be harmless paper, in which case, if a pet gets a hold of it, the worst that can happen is a half eaten cardboard turkey or Santa. However, many also decorate with wreathes, potpourri, candles, glass and plastic. None of these decorations should be left within a pet's reach, especially puppies or kittens. I could be possible that a dried flower in the wreath or potpourri could be toxic to a pet, or the essential oils could make them sick. Candles can be a favorite chew toy, especially for a teething animal, but again, the wax could make them sick, not to mention that we do not know what other types of chemicals are mixed in. Glass pieces and be pulled down and broken if left in the reach of a pet, which, if broken, could mean glass all over, including little paws. Plastic, while it probably wouldn't break when dropped, can be just as sharp if the animals decide to chew into pieces.
The best thing to do with decorations...use common sense!
The Tree: Perhaps, the most important piece at the holidays for most of us is the tree. And with the tree, come a few dangers as well.
Tinsel: Unless you are using the old type, tinsel today is no longer made of lead. But, any tinsel should be out of reach and not on the bottom branches where pets can pull off and eat or get tangled in their mouths.
Decorations/Ornaments: Big temptations, especially for kittens and puppies! They see swinging toys...you see your favorite decoration on the floor in a million pieces or full of teeth marks. Again, avoid the lower branches.
Lights: When you're not home, make sure lights are out and unplugged. If a pet bites into a live wire, it could cause severe shock, as well as a possible fire. Also, should a pet bite down on a glass bulb, you could be looking at a mouth full of glass.
Branches: What a fun thing to chew! After all, there they stick out, and you play fetch with old branches, right? Many now use artificial trees however. And the branches are wire and plastic. Chewing could mean wire jamming in the mouth or even throat. Also, be it a real or artificial tree, the pet could pull it down, causing it to fall on him or her. Removing all the lower branches just isn't practical. However, spraying with something such as bitter apple should help curb the chewing. It has a terrible taste, but it is safe, even if the kids touch it. You also need to discipline if you catch your pet chewing, or climbing the tree.
Stress: Many kittens and puppies are given as Christmas gifts. Not a good idea, especially if the new owner is not prepared. However, if there is a new pet in the picture for the holidays, remember...
They are babies- they may tire quickly, especially at a big gathering. If you notice your puppy or kitten trying to get away from the crowd (even an older pet trying to move away for that matter), put him in a quiet room with food and water. He needs his space.
Don't pass them around- human babies don't always like it, so why should your pet. If they want to be in someone's lap, you will know.
Keep the day as stress free as possible- if your new pet just arrived on the holiday, they are trying to adjust to a new home, family and surroundings, amongst a whole lot of excitement. Add to that 20 new visitors arriving to your party, and imagine hoe that kitten or puppy feels. Watch your pet, new or old. If signs of nervousness show, don't put your pet in a situation where, under stress, they may react out of the ordinary. They can't prevent the stressful situation, but you can!
Keeping your pets safe through the holidays is really a common sense thing and this is only a brief overview. Look at your pets_ the type, age, attitude, etc. and go from there. Plus, train your pets. Just like you shouldn't have to have your home "kid proofed" until they are 5, you shouldn't have to pet proof forever either. Work with them, spend time with them. Let them know if they're wrong, praise them when right, and show them lots and lots of love!
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