Holiday Safety Tips
Help Keep your pets safe and happy during the holidays with these simple
tips
Avoid Christmas tree disasters. Christmas
trees are a wonderful tradition, but they can lead to problems if you have a curious animal.
- Hang non-breakable
ornaments near the bottom of the tree.
- Tinsel can be deadly when eaten. Just do not put it on your tree.
- Do
not let your pet drink the Christmas-tree water. It often contains chemicals to help the tree last longer; these chemicals
can cause severe indigestion in animals.
- Pine needles can cause health problems. If ingested, they can puncture holes
in your pet's intestines. Regularly sweep up fallen pine needles to avoid a trip to the emergency animal clinic.
Mistletoe,
poinsettias, and amaryllis are toxic. Be aware of those poisonous holiday plants and keep your pets away from them.
Keep
"blowing" snow in the globe. Many snow globes contain antifreeze, which is extremely toxic to pets.
It is best to keeo snow globes and all antifreeze out of the reach of a happy, tail wagging. If there is an antifreeze spill
of any kind, send your pet out of the room while you clean up the liquid. Dilute the spot with water and floor cleaner to
ensure your animal does not lick these harmful chemicals later.
Holiday sweets are not
dog or cat treats. candy, cookies, cakes, peppermints and especially chocolate can trigger life threatening illnesses
in dogs and cats.
Make no bones about it. Cooked turkey and chicken bones are
not for dogs or cats as they can easily break and cause choking, and bone chards can get stuck in your pets gums. Stick with
"bones" specifically designed for dogs to chew. Ask your local veterinarian for suggestions.
A
relaxed animal is a good pet. Most dogs and cats are excitable when guests arrive. Exercise your pet prior to the
arrival of guests. After 30 minutes of walking or playing, most animals will be more relaxed or ready to take a nap. Commotion
and unusual circumstances can cause stress for dogs and cats. Allow your companion to join the festivities after the initial
commotion of arrival has subsided.
Keep the liquids flowing! When pets are stressed
by unfamiliar circumstances, they typically pant more. Be sure to keep fresh water readily available for them to drink.
Beware
of cold and snowy weather. While it might be convenient to put your dogs outside when guests arrive for holiday festivities,
falling temperatures and snow can be dangerous to pets. in addition, never let your pet roam freely, as icy roads can make
it hard for cars to stop if your dog wanders into the street.
Do not give pets as surprise
gifts! A cute and cuddly puppy or kitten might seem like the perfect gift choice, but many of these holiday presents
end up at animal shelters.
A pet takes a real commitment of time, and adoptive owners must be ready to participate
in training and managing the responsibility of their new family member. If you know someone who is serious about adopting
a pet, consider giving a leash, collar, toys, etc. along with a note that says a pet of the recipient's choice comes with
it. This will help ensure the lucky person receives the pet he or she wants to have as a part of the family.
Add
your pet to your gift list. Help your animal stay occupied and out of the holiday decorations by giving them
their own gifts. The Cube or a Kong, for instance, are both nearly indestructible and will distract your dog for long periods
of time and cats love to play with fuzzy balls, jingly balls, catnip toys, and feathers on anything!
Happy holidays from all of us at Lyndale Animal Hospital!!
