Keeping Pets Safe During Holidays

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be easy to forget about keeping our pets safe during this busy time. Here are some tips to keep your pets happy and healthy during the holidays:

*Secure your tree. Cats love playing with tinsel; they’ve been known to topple entire trees by pulling on tinsel or ornaments hanging from branches. Cats and puppies are so fascinated by tinsel and ribbon they may make a meal of it, which keeps veterinarians in surgery on Christmas Day.

*Santa doesn’t need the calories, so don’t leave him cookies. Chocolate can make pets sick.

*Some pets, especially puppies and kittens, will munch on errant Christmas tree needles, which they can choke on.

*When choosing a tree, consider one with pet-friendly pliable needles – such as a Douglas fir or white pine. They won’t stick in your pet’s paws.

*They’ll be much mistletoeing and hearts will be glowing, but not if the pets are near to munch on. Fresh mistletoe and that holly can make pets very sick.

*Curious about shining flames, pets can knock over a candle and start a fire. Fumes from scented candles can be deadly to birds because of their sensitive respiratory systems.

*Pets Deserve Presents Too: When you wrap gifts (check out catnip wrapping paper), don’t forget to give something special to include your pets – after all, they’re family too!

[Source: Steve Dale's Pet World]