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During the holiday season, we pet owners want to include our furry and feathered family members in the festivities as much as possible. However, there are some common sense ideas and safety tips that should be kept in mind, to help make sure the holidays are a happy time for all.

First, and foremost, it’s a good idea to know of your Vet's holiday hours. Keep emergency numbers and special holiday requirements where they will be easily accessible.

Here are some important pet safety tips, divided into specific topics:

CHRISTMAS TREES

If your celebration includes a Christmas tree, remember it can appear to pets to be a giant toy rack. Cats will often try to climb the tree and play with the ornaments. Make sure your tree is firmly placed in a wide-based, heavy stand and anchor your tree to the ceiling with a string or twine to keep it from falling.  Keep fragile, breakable, valuable ornaments up high, out of kitty's reach. Put kitty baubles or doggie toys on the lower branches. That way, if your pet is attracted to the tree, they'll find something appropriate to play with.

Remember, cats love to play with anything resembling string. This includes loose ribbon, tinsel, and strung popcorn used for decorations. It is dangerous for your pet to ingest any of these items. A safer idea is to ball up a piece of shiny wrapping paper for your cat to bat around instead.

If you use a real tree, rather than an artificial tree, please keep your pet from drinking the water that you place in the base. Many modern trees are sprayed with chemicals that may be toxic, and stagnant tree water can contain fertilizers and harbor bacteria. Check tree water preservatives and artificial snow and only use those that are non-toxic. Do not put aspirin in the water to keep the tree more vigorous. It is very dangerous for pets to ingest. Try to wrap the base or put a screen over the base, so your pets can't drink the water at all.

Pine needles are dangerous when ingested and can puncture holes in your pet's intestines. Please keep pet areas free from loose pine needles.

Keep ornaments out of reach of pets. Ornaments look like toys to your pet but are dangerous if ingested and can cause injuries to mouths and paws when broken.

HOLIDAY PLANTS

Many holiday plants can lead to health problems in dogs, cats and other small pets. Among those plants to keep out of reach are holly, mistletoe,

poinsettias, amaryllis and lilies. If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic, CALL YOUR VET and/or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's 24 hour emergency hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP.

HOLIDAY FOOD

Don't let guests feed your pets human food. There are many holiday foods including fatty meats, gravies, poultry skin, bones, chocolate and alcohol that can cause illness in your pets...from vomiting to diarrhea to much more serious ailments. In addition, candy wrappers, aluminum foil pieces and ribbons can choke pets.

Keep pets away from garbage.

Use pet-proof containers.

OTHER TOXIC DECORATIONS

Avoid using the following, or keep out of your pet's reach:

Bubbling lights contain fluid that can be inhaled or ingested.

Snow globes often contain antifreeze, which can be deadly, even in small amounts. (Avoid having your pet come in contact with antifreeze outdoors, on the driveway or in the garage, as well.)

Styrofoam poses a choking hazard

Tinsel (especially those "ice icicles" can cause choking.

ADDITIONAL SAFETY  TIPS

Keep candles on high shelves and out of your pets reach at all times!!

If any candle is at a lower level, place it under a hurricane lantern or other attractive cover or "topper" to protect your home and your pets.

Flameless candles are an excellent alternative for pet owners!!!

Be careful with extra cords and plugs for holiday lights and other fixtures. They can look like chew toys to pets! Tape down or cover cords to help avoid shocks, burns or other serious injuries. Unplug lights when you are not at home.

Put away toys after children open their gifts. Small plastic pieces and rubber balls are common causes of choking and blockages in dogs. Often these have to be removed surgically.

REDUCE PET STRESS

The holidays are a lot of fun for us and often a lot of stress for our pets.

Holiday guests and activities can be stressful and even frightening for pets, and can sometimes even trigger illness. Make sure your pets have a safe place to retreat to in your home.

Make sure they are wearing current I.D. tags in case they accidently escape out a door when guests come and go. Keep a head count on your pets if you have guests over....make sure they are all in the house and haven't gotten out by mistake.

Try to keep your regular schedule with your pets during the holidays when it comes to feeding and exercise. Always make time to care for them and spend time with them as you normally would.

NEVER leave your pet outdoors unattended when the temperature gets below freezing! Your pet can get frostbite on ears and paws very quickly. Their coats and paws need time to adapt to the cold weather and snow and ice.

Make sure your smoke detectors and other safety devices have fresh batteries. This is not only for YOUR safety, but your pet's as well. And those shrill tones and beeps that the detectors admit when the battery is low are very stressful to pets. They hear things MUCH more loudly than we do!!! This hold true for all of the loud "party" noises in our homes  during the holiday season...loud voices, music and firecracker sounds on New Year's Eve.

Again, always give your pet a safe, quiet retreat within your home, to get away from strangers, loud noises and stressful new things during the holiday season.

PETS AS GIFTS

A pet should never be given as a gift to someone who is not prepared for it or who did not specifically ask for it. A pet should never be given to a small child, unless the adult members of the family realize that THEY will be the ones taking care of it. A pet is a lifetime commitment, for the lifetime of that pet. That means years. Please do not give a pet as a "surprise" gift to anyone! If you think that person might like a pet, then give them a card with a note inside that says you will accompany them to your local animal shelter and help them pick one out, and pay the adoption fee as your gift...at a later date. That way, if they are not ready for a pet, you haven't "sprung" one on them unexpectedly. Never a good idea!
I always recommend adopting a homeless pet rather than purchasing one from a pet store or breeder. There are so many pets that need homes and remember when you adopt a pet; you actually help TWO pets....the one you adopted and the one you made a space for at the shelter.

ONE FINAL THOUGHT...

Remember the holidays are a time of joy to share with your family. For many of us, family also means our pets!! Please don't "take a holiday" from taking great care of your wonderful animal companions!

Wishing you "paws"-i-tively Happy Holidays, everyone!!

With love from Carolyn and my critter crew!