Written by Julie Gajewski
The holidays are filled with joy, laughter, and love. But they are also filled with many hazards for our furry loved ones. Help keep your fur kids safe this holiday with these Christmas Pet Safety Tips.
1) Collars with ID Tags & Microchips
Number one on our list of Christmas Pet Safety Tips is, collars with ID tags & microchips. The holidays are a revolving door of family, friends, neighbors, and loved ones coming and going to celebrate. This leave the door wide open (pun intended) for your pet to take an adventure in the great outdoors. Microchips are placed under the skin and are your pet’s best chance at being identified if lost. Just be sure the registration information for the chip is up to date with the company. Collars with ID Tags are also important for pets during the holidays especially if your pet is not microchipped. The kind stranger who finds Fido taking a midday jog or Fluffy prowling the bushes will have your contact information immediately.
3) No human food!
Number two on our list of Christmas Pet Safety Tips is, no human food! No one wants a trip to the emergency vet on Christmas eve. No one wants a mess to clean on Christmas morning. Avoid stomach upset, diarrhea, and possible fatal diseases like Pancreatitis by leaving the human food to the humans. Or holiday feasts are high in fat. Fat the can cause the pancreas to become inflamed and release digestive enzymes too early. Those enzymes can cause the pancreas to digest itself, leading a potentially fatal outcome. We all know chocolate is bad for your dog. So keep the yummy goodies (boxed or open) away from Fido. Does Fluffy loves to sniff the mugs of Eggnog and sneak a lick or two? Be advised Fluffy may have an upset tummy. Does Aunt Sally like to spike the eggnog? If so that alcohol can be dangerous for Fluffy. Best to keep her off the table and away from a potential hazard. Remind your guests and your family that their is is not for sharing with the furry ones!
3) Poinsettias, Tinsel, & Lights OH MY!
Number three on our list of Christmas Pet Safety Tips is poinsettias, Tinsel, & Lights OH MY! Tinsel catches your eye and gives your tree a holiday sparkle. Well it catches Fluffy’s eye too and may give her a holiday emergency surgery. Nix the tinsel and Fluffy will thank you for saving hr from a bowel obstruction. Poinsettias, holly & mistletoe are poisonous to your pets If you can’t celebrate the holidays without these deadly plants, just be sure to keep them out of reach from your pet. The Christmas tree is the highlight of your holiday decor. Don’t make it the reason for your holiday emergency. Keep ornaments securely fashioned to the tree. Make sure the tree is steady and unable to topple over when Fluffy makes her nightly climb to the top. Keep Fido from being able to drink the tree water as it may contain fertilizer or bacteria if water has been sitting too long that will make him sick. Keep wires secure so your pets doesn’t chew them end up getting electrocuted like the cat on Christmas Vacation!
4) Keep the routine, keep the pets sane
Number four on our list of Christmas Pet Safety Tips is keep the routine, keep the pets sane. Fido knows that everyday he gets to take his evening stroll and then snuggle on the couch with you. Fluffy knows just when the time is right to sneak up and be the perfect foot warmer while you watch your nightly shows. This is your routine and it is also their routine. The holidays bring busy days and a housefull of guests. Don’t forget to still give Fido & Fluffy there evening of cuddles. You may not be able to do the exact evening routine, just don’t forget to take a few minutes to slip away and give your pet that one on one time they are used to!
5) A busy pet makes for a happy pet
Number four on our list of Christmas Pet Safety Tips is busy pet makes for a happy pet. Busy people get even busier on the holidays. Between the annual office party, family dinners, shopping for gifts, cooking, and house guests, there isn’t much time to play fetch with Fido or chase the string with Fluffy. All of the pent up energy leave Fido & Fluffy lonely and spiteful. If you can’t carve out time for the usual long walk or playing with toys, keep your pet busy with toys such as Premier Busy Buddy® Kibble Nibble™ our sister company Ken Caryl Pet Spa. You can also find automatic toys such as a PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy for Fluffy that will entertain her for hours.
Written by Julie Gajewski. Julie has been pet sitting and working in the veterinary industry as both a technician and hospital administrator since 1997. She is a pet business consultant and a guest blog writer for pet sitters across the world. She lives in Florida with her husband and furry children, 2 Pugs and 4 cats.
