When it Comes to the Holidays: Pet Safety Tips

When it comes to the holidays, there are so many things to be careful of — not gaining 10 lbs. on cookies, not getting yourself into debt just to buy some presents — and of course keeping

your cats/ dogs healthy, happy and safe. Provide solitude. Guests may cramp your Cat's or Dog, style, so keep her favorite place free from the holiday hubbub so she can relax.

• Keep poisonous and dangerous plants away. Plants like mistletoe and poinsettia are poisonous, and ingested pine needles can cause digestive tract blockage. Keep your pet away from these plants and you just might save yourself a trip to the emergency vet.
• Decorate safely. There are a variety of decorations that can cause problems for your Pet. Ribbons and tinsel are frequently implicated in veterinary emergency rooms. Light cords, when chewed or frayed, can cause severe burns or electrocution. Prevent these disasters by keeping decorations out of your pet’s reach or locked in an inaccessible room.
• Make holiday trips safe and prepare for them well in advance. Take special precautions when no matter how you Pets choose to travel. Several days before departing, and properly prepare for a trip.
• Table scraps aren't pet snacks. Many holiday foods are loaded with fat and sodium and can cause stomach upset. Not to mention the additional calories! Chicken bones can easily get stuck in a cat’s digestive tract and other foods like chocolate or onions can be poisonous. In short, people food is meant for people

Because chocolate can cause illness and even death in cats, and dogs it should be avoided completely. Chocolate contains theobromine, a potent cardiovascular and central nervous system stimulant that is eliminated very slowly in cats and dogs