Please keep in mind as you read this article that the items and information listed below are simply things to consider as the holidays are approaching and that every home, pet and family are different.
With the coming holidays of the hustle and bustle cooking, shopping and preparations can be overwhelming at times. During all the commotion so many people forget about their pets and the dangers that can be presented so be sure you stop and take a moment to make room for them in your preparations. My pet’s take part in our holidays and are always a part of everything we do so I have to keep a careful eye on everything, especially during this time of year. My lab mix is approaching 16 years old so I have to keep a few things in mind with regards to her safety. Can she handle the commotion of people coming and going? The doors opening and closing? People that she rarely sees being all over the house and kids wanting to pet her. Is it better for her to be in her room or out in the house with everything? Though I want her to be a part of everything I also have to consider how stressful all that might be for her too. Remember stick a close as possible to your pets “normal” schedule. The extra traffic in your home can also be upsetting to your pet.
So make sure you consider everything when making holiday plans for your families and pets. Are you leaving town? Are you taking your pet? Do they travel well and take to strange places well? Also make sure that if you are staying at a hotel do they accept pets? If you are staying with family, are they okay with your pet coming? Do they have pets and are they going to get along? These are all good questions to consider. If you do take your pet, make sure to take your pet’s kennel, bedding, food and a toy or two. If you question whether or not your pet can handle these things, then perhaps consider having a pet sitter or boarding facility take care of your pet.
No matter where your family and pet are spending the holidays – Make sure you also consider all the dangers that come with the holidays and your pets. If your pet is a “counter surfer”, make sure that hot pans, bowls, pots, plates and other hot items are kept further back on the counter. Hot liquids or foods can scald or burn your pet. The smell of food cooking may attract your pet to the kitchen and they may get under foot. Use caution as you move around. Best thing is to teach your pet that the kitchen is off limits. Many people feed their pets scraps, use caution in doing this. Some seasonings may upset your pet’s tummy. Poultry bones are very brittle and after being cooked they splinter easily and they become a chocking hazard. Everyone hates those sad puppy eyes that sit and stair at you, pleading for a bite. Don’t give in and encourage your guests to do the same. Our food is still very rich and not all pets can handle it. Some only having upset tummies, but some can have more serious issues. Many people do the same thing…Give into the begging eyes saying just this once. However, that one time turns into another time and so forth which can lead to constant begging, stealing food, health problems, overweight and refusal to eat their own food.
There are also those very curious cats and kittens. I remember my daughter’s 1st Christmas. Our 6 month kitten climbed our tree – repeatedly. Came home to the tree knocked over, ornaments on the floor. Keep in mind that cats like to play with items that hang. So ornaments close to the floor or even tinsel can lure them in to play with the tree. Most of the same thing to watch for with dogs, you would watch for with cats. What ornaments hang at the bottom of the tree, tinsel, lights, hooks, angel hair? Like always just use caution as the holidays approach.
There are many things every pet owner can do to take caution with regards to plants, foods and medications. Not all human medications can be given to your pet. Unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to use over-the-counter products, please refrain from giving them the following medication. Here are a few: ACETOMINOPHEN (Tylenol), NAPROXEN (Aleve), and IBUPROPHEN (Advil) can cause kidney failure, stomach ulcers, and liver damage in as little as 1 tablet. Keep all medications (OTC/prescription), diet pills, and multivitamins (especially those containing iron) securely locked out of reach.
Foods and other items to use caution with are: Chocolate, Grapes, Raisins, Coffee & Coffee Grounds, Alcohol, Yeast Dough, Cigarettes, Macadamia Nuts, Onions, Onion Powder, Avocados, Garlic & foods sweetened with xylito. In small amounts some pets may be okay, just please use caution when feeding your pets human food. Also keep in mind that trash cans are tempting too. Make sure the lids are on tight or behind a door. Poultry bones of any kind covered in left over food are very tempting.
Holiday Items to use caution with are: Bubbling Holiday Lights. (the fluid contained inside is Methylene Chloride), Angel Hair (which is made from spun glass), Fire Salts (used to give fires a pretty colors), Tinsel (not poisons, but can become an obstruction). Ornaments – Consider hanging glass & your more treasured ornaments higher and leave wood, plastic, resin-cast or metal ornaments closer to the bottom of the tree. Spray on snow or flocking in dried particles should be safe, but the aerosols directly inhaled can be a risk. Also consider replacing metal ornament hooks with cloth, fabric or twine to hang your ornaments.
Plants: There are a variety of plants out there to use caution with. Certain Ivies, Holly, Mistletoe, Balsam, Juniper, Cedar, Pine, Fir, Hibiscus, Poinsettias.
Many people want their pets to look festive. Many local pet stores and online stores sell pet safe or pet approved items to dress your pet in. Please try to refrain from tying ribbons on your pet. They can get hung on items or be pulled tighter. Instead of tying the ribbons on your pet put them on your pet’s collar instead.
There is also the New Year that comes shortly after. If your pet is unsure about the fireworks please make sure they are indoors, confined properly and leave the TV or lights on for them. If they are afraid of firecrackers then leaving them in the yard may not be the best place for them.
Keep in mind the following as the weather get colder. If there are cats that live outdoors around your home please take a moment to tap the hood of your car. Cats like to hide in the engine compartments, wheel wells and any other part of your vehicle they can fit in to keep warm. If you have a pet that lives outside, please consider the coming weather changes. Make sure that your pet has adequate shelter from rain, wind and cold. As well as the age of your pet as the winter months approach. Older pets may not be able to with stand the colder temperatures like they used to and a young dog may not be ready for it either.
Many people get new puppies, kittens or other pets for Christmas. Please consider picking these pets out together as a family or couple instead of surprising someone with a new puppy. So many pets end up in shelters after the holidays. Not because they were a present, but because they may not have been the right color, breed, size, sex, or the person was not prepared for the responsibility of a new pet. If you are thinking of giving a pet as a present think about giving the person a collar or other supplies as a gift instead. Also, maybe think of saying something along the lines of “I will get you a dog or cat, but let’s pick it out together”. This should also apply even if the pet is an older dog or cat. Getting a pet is a wonderful thing and they come with responsibility.
As I said in the beginning the information and items are for your information and to teach people about the things in our world that could pose as a danger to your pets. All pets and families are different.
From K-9 Companion Pet Services and Our Family to Yours. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season.
Please keep in mind as you read this article that the items and information listed are simply things to consider as the holidays are approaching. That every home, pet and family are different.
With the coming holidays the hustle and bustle of cooking, shopping and preparations can be overwhelming at times. Then, in all the commotion so many people forget about their pets and the dangers that can be presented to them. Make sure you stop and take a moment to make room for them in your preparations. My pets take part in our holidays and are apart of everything we do, but I also have to stop and think about that my lab mix is approaching 16 years old. Can she handle the commotion of people coming and going? The doors opening and closing? People that she rarely sees being all over the house and kids wanting to pet her. Is it better for her to be in her room or out in the house with everything? Though I want her to be apart of everything I also have to consider how stressful all that might be for her too. Remember stick a close as possible to your pets “normal” schedule. The extra traffic in your home can also be upsetting to your pet.
So make sure you consider everything when making holiday plans for your families and pets. Are you leaving town? Are you taking your pet? Do they travel well and take to strange places well? Also make sure that if you are staying at a hotel do they accept pets? If you are staying with family, are they okay with your pet coming? Do they have pets and are they going to get along? These are all good questions to consider. If you do take your pet, make sure to take your pet’s kennel, bedding, food, a toy or two. If you question whether or not your pet can handle these things, then perhaps consider having a pet sitter or boarding your pet instead.
No matter where your family and pet are spending the holidays – Make sure you also consider all the dangers that come with the holidays and your pets. If your pet is a “counter surfer” make sure that hots pans, bowls, pots, plates and other hot items are kept further back on the counter. Hots liquids or foods can scald or burn your pet. The smell of food cooking may attract your pet to the kitchen and they may get under foot. Use caution as you move around. Best thing is to teach your pet that the kitchen is off limits. Many people feed their pets scraps, use caution in doing this. Some seasonings may upset your pets tummy. Poultry bones are very brittle and after being cooked they splinter easily and they become a chocking hazard. Everyone hates those sad puppy eyes that sit and stair at you, pleading for a bite. Don’t give in and encourage your guests to do the same. Our food is still very rich and not all pets can handle it. Some only having upset tummies, but some can have more serious issues. Many people do the same thing…Give into the begging eyes saying just this once. And that one time turns into another time and so forth. Which can lead to constant begging, stealing food, health problems, overweight and refusal to eat their own food.
There are many things to use caution with from plants, foods, medications. Not all human medications can be given to your pets. Unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to please refrain from giving them medication. Here are a a few: ACETOMINOPHEN (Tylenol), NAPROXEN (Aleve), and IBUPROPHEN (Advil) can cause kidney failure, stomach ulcers, and liver damage in as little as 1 tablet. Keep all medications (OTC/prescription), diet pills, and multivitamins (especially those containing iron) securely locked out of reach.
Foods and other items to use caution with are: Chocolate, Grapes, Raisins, Coffee & Coffee Grounds, Alcohol, Yeast Dough, Cigarettes, Macadamia Nuts, Onions, Onion Powder, Avocados, Garlic & foods sweetened with xylito. In small amounts some pets may be okay, just please use caution when feeding your pets human food.
Holiday Items to use caution with are: Bubbling Holiday Lights. (the fluid contained inside is Methylene Chloride), Angel Hair (which is made from spun glass), Fire Salts (used to give fires a pretty colors), Tinsel (not poisons, but can become an obstruction). Ornaments – Consider hanging glass & your more treasured ornaments higher and leave wood, plastic, resin-cast or metal ornaments closer to the bottom of the tree. Spray on snow or flocking in dried particles should be safe, but the aerosols directly inhaled can be a risk. Also consider replacing metal ornament hooks with cloth, fabric or twine to hang your ornaments.
Plants: There are a variety of plants out there to use caution with. Certain Ivies, Holly, Mistletoe, Balsam, Juniper, Cedar, Pine, Fir, Hibiscus, Poinsettias.
Many people want their pets to look festive. Many local pet stores and online stores sell pet safe or pet approved items to dress your pet in. Please try to refrain from tying ribbons on your pet. They can get hung on items or be pulled tighter. Instead of tying the ribbons on your pet put them on your pet’s collar instead.
There is also the New Year that comes shortly after. If your pet is unsure about the fireworks. Please make sure they are indoors, confined properly, leave TV. or lights on for them. If they are afraid of firecrackers then leaving them in yard may not be the best place for them.
Keep in mind as well as the weather get colder. If there cats that live outdoors around your home. Take a moment to tap the hood of your car. Cats like to hide in the engine compartments, wheel wells and any other part of your vehicle they can fit in to keep warm.
Many people get new puppies, kittens or other pets for Christmas. Please consider picking these pets out together as a family pr couple. Instead of surprising someone with a new puppy. So many pets end up in shelters after the holidays. Not because they were a present, but because they may not have been the right color, breed, size, sex, or the person was not prepared for the responsibility of a new pet. This should also apply even if the pet is an older dog or cat. Getting a pet is a wonderful thing and they come with responsibility. If your wanting to give a pet as a present, give the person a collar or other supplies as a gift instead. Saying I will get you a dog or cat, but let’s pick it out together. As I said in the beginning the information and items are for your information and to teach people about the things in our world that could pose as a danger to your pets. All pets and families are different.
From K-9 Companion Pet Services and Our Family to Yours. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season.
