Christmas 2006

Keeping Pets Safe

The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family and loved ones, but it can be a stressful and dangerous time for pets. During the holiday season, celebrations and decorations can cause pet safety hazards, and it's not uncommon to see accidents related to ingestion, injuries, and even electric shock. So don't spoil the holiday season with an unnecessary medical emergency. The American Red Cross offers information about first aid kits for pets. And here are some tips to keep your pets safe during the holidays:

• Hang breakables, tinsel, and other decorations well out of paw's reach. Tinsel, ribbon, and ornaments are especially dangerous to pets if chewed and swallowed.
• Remember, some seasonal plants can be poisonous, including mistletoe, holly berries, and poinsettias.
• Watch out for electrical cords. Pets, especially puppies, often try to chew them and may get badly burned, shocked or electrocuted.
• Metal ornament hooks can get caught in curious mouths. Use ribbon or yarn instead of hooks to hang your ornaments.
• A Christmas tree should stand on a flat, wide base. You may also want to anchor the tree with fishing line tied to a drapery rod, a ceiling or wall hook. Cats often see trees as excellent climbing posts. Whether your tree is live or artificial, both kinds of needles are indigestible.
• Cover your tree stand tightly with skirting. The water from the tree base can cause mouth sores, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
• Refrain from using edible ornaments on your tree. They can pose an irresistible temptation for some pets.
• Keep your pets away from holiday treats, especially chocolate . Some active ingredients found in chocolate can be fatal to animals.
• Pets and candles just don't mix. Keep Menorahs, Kwanza Mshumaas and scented candles out of reach.
• If you plan to entertain, provide a "safe haven" where your pets can go when they get overly excited or need to escape from little guest who want to play.
• If you are going away for the holidays: make sure pet enclosures are secure, your pets are wearing proper identification, and arrangements have been made for their care.