Holiday Pet Safety Tips

The holiday season is upon us with lots of good food, fancy decorations and visitors.  Here are some tips to help keep your furry companions safe!

Decorations

• Many snow globes contain ethylene glycol which is poisonous to pets.  If pets lick the fluid from a broken snow globe it can quickly lead to severe illness and death.  
• Water additives to extend the life of your Christmas tree can be toxic to pets.  If you use these cover the tree base with tinfoil to keep pets away.
• Tinsel and ribbons are hard for cats (and some dogs!) to resist.  They can cause gastric problems including obstructions if swallowed.
• Keep food gifts or other fragment presents out from under the tree if you don’t want Fido to open them early!
• Many holiday plants are poisonous or toxic to pets so be aware or limit to locations out of reach for pets.  These include:
  • Mistletoe
  • Holly
  • Christmas Cactus
  • Poinsettias – mildly toxic and can cause drooling, gastric upset and/or diarrhea but not usually fatal!

Visitors

• If your pet is not a social butterfly have a safe, quiet room they can escape to.  Be sure to have some of their favorite toys, snacks or chews and water available.
• Watch out for door darters!  Take extra precautions with pets; consider leashing your pups or keeping felines in a closed room.  

Food

The following are some foods that can be harmful for pets.