Holiday Pet Safety for Your Furry Family

As members of our families, we want our pets to enjoy the holidays as much as we do. A house full of guests means more attention for them, and all the decorations are curious home additions to check out! Yet, our holiday décor can actually be a danger to pets, and all the guests can be overwhelming. What’s more is the holiday food is awfully tempting for pets, too! Help keep them safe with our holiday pet safety tips!

Giving Pets Their Space

While many pets will love all the extra scratches and cuddles from your holiday guests, many will also need some quiet time alone. Even normally social pets can be overwhelmed by all the people and festivities, so make sure they have a quiet place to retreat to for some R&R. Additionally, it’s a good idea to be wary of the door. You’ll be opening and closing it to admit and let out your guests, and a sneaky pet can easily slip out in the midst of the commotion. Keep your pet away from the door so they won’t be tempted to make a break for it!

Decorating with Pets in Mind

Your pets are curious creatures. They’re bound to check out any new thing you put out—sometimes a little too enthusiastically! Much of our holiday décor can look a lot like brand new toys to our pets, so it’s your job to keep them out of trouble. Some of the décor to watch out for includes:

  • The Christmas tree. As the pièce de résistance of your holiday décor, this massive and bushy tree has an irresistible intrigue to pets. Cats love to climb it, while dogs will love to investigate its adorned limbs and the bowl of water at its base. Not only can this green giant topple over if unbalanced, but the water can be poisonous for pets to drink.
  • Electric lights and their cords. The long stringy green light cords can be awfully fun to chew for pets. Yet, breaking through the protective coating can lead to severe electrical burns and even electrocution. Secure your lights and keep the cords well out of reach!
  • Wrapping paper. It might be fun to watch an energetic pet tear at some discarded wrapping paper, but playful bites can turn into an unintentional swallow, which can lead to an intestinal obstruction.
  • Holly and Mistletoe. These festive plants are a lovely addition to any home for the holidays, but they are toxic to pets. Both can cause digestive upset and obstruction if eaten, so hang them well out of paw’s reach.

Feeding Pets Responsibly

It’s awfully tempting to share a wonderful holiday feast with our pets. But many of the things we eat can cause severe conditions in our pets. Their digestive systems simply are not able to handle the same foods we are. Luckily, there are some things you can share with them, in small amounts!

  • Plain pureed pumpkin
  • Plain, cooked mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
  • Unseasoned, well-cooked lean meat (turkey or beef)
  • Plain cranberry sauce (little or no added sugar)
  • Cooked, unseasoned veggies like carrots, broccoli, or green beans

Be sure to avoid:

  • Grapes and raisins
  • Onions, scallions, leeks, and garlic
  • Fatty meats like ham and sausage
  • Gravies, gristle, and bones
  • Baked goods and candy

Interested in more tips for holiday pet safety? Contact us today, and we’ll be happy to share more of our knowledge!