Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pets
'Tis the Season to Take Extra Precautions for Your Pet's Safety • Summertime
• Halloween
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas
• Valentine's Day
• Easter
• Stressed? Who's Stressed?
Summertime Cautions
Pets and HeatNever leave your pet unattended in a parked car for any period of time. On a warm day, the temperature in a car can reach 120°F in a matter of minutes – even with the windows partially open. Your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke or suffocation when trapped in high temperatures. This is what you should do if your pet is exposed to high temperatures:
• Be alert to the signs of heat stress
• If your pet has become overheated, you must lower his body temperature immediately by taking the
following steps:
1. Move your pet into the shade and apply cool (not cold) water all over his body to gradually
lower his body temperature.
2. Apply ice packs or cold towels to your pet’s head, neck, and chest only.
3. Let your pet drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.
• Finally, take your pet directly to a veterinarian – it could save your pet’s life.
Dogs and fireworks
July 5th is the busiest day of the year at animal shelters. Dogs are found miles from their homes, confused, disoriented, and exhausted. People call hoping to locate a missing dog that, terrified, crashed through a window, jumped a high fence, or broke its leash or chain.
An ounce of prevention:
• If fireworks upset your dog, make sure someone stays with it.
• Keep your dog inside, safe from loud noises.
• If you wish to tranquilize your dog, consult your veterinarian.
• Contact an animal behaviorist to work with your pet, but call well in advance of Independence Day.
Don't Let Halloween Bring a Scare!
Witches, bats, and scaredy cats!Halloween is a great holiday for kids, but it can be hard on pets if you don't take some precautions.
Keep your pet safely indoors, away from noisy groups of small ghouls and goblins. And keep pets away from the door where they can accidentally escape as you open the door for trick-or-treaters.
Cats
Cats are always safer if kept indoors. This is especially true around Halloween. Halloween is a time for pranks…keep your kitty safe indoors where he won’t become lost or the victim of a prankster.
Pet Costumes
Pet costumes are the latest Halloween craze. Who can resist dressing up their pet in those cute little hats and witches capes? But make sure your pet can move freely and won’t stumble over a costume that hangs to the ground. And never tie anything around his neck that can choke and strangle him. Opt for a fancy collar instead. Let your pet be the judge. If he struggles and is uncomfortable, then maybe it would be best to let him stay dressed as a Corgi rather than a ghost!
Pets and candy
Candy can make a pet sick or may be lethal. Chocolate contains a stimulant called theobromine, which can make dogs very ill, and could even cause death if consumed in enough quantity. If you want to treat your pets, stock up on dog biscuits or catnip toys. If you suspect your pet has gotten into a potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian immediately! Have the telephone number to your local emergency animal hospital readily available, as well as the number for the national animal poison control center.
Thanksgiving Threats
Before you sit down to that fabulous Thanksgiving feast and before you give in to those gorgeous, pleading eyes and feed your pet that leftover turkey leg, be aware of the harmful and even deadly consequences of feeding “people” food to any companion animal.One way to reduce this temptation is to feed your pet before guests arrive, so your pet will be less likely to beg and steal food. Inform your guests of the house rules regarding your pet, such as not feeding him scraps from the table. Also, if your guests smoke, be extra vigilant and keep nicotine and alcohol out of reach of your pet. These can be highly toxic -- even deadly!
Below are a few hazards that can be harmful to your pet on Thanksgiving and year-round:
• Rich, fatty foods, such as turkey skins or gravy can cause pancreatitis, an inflammation of a digestive
gland, and can be very painful and serious, leading to hospitalization.
• Any kind of bone can tear or obstruct your pet's intestinal tract. Make certain all bones are disposed of
properly.
• Often used to tie the turkey during roasting, strings can tie up your pet's insides, too.
• Found in abundance in turkey stuffing, onions can destroy a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia.
• Grapes and raisins are beautiful to look at but harmful to pets. Keep that cornucopia filled with fresh
fruits out of reach. Grapes especially contain toxins that can cause kidney failure.
• Baking Chocolate especially can actually kill your dog, so keep all such goodies well out of reach.
Keep all leftover food out of reach in a closed container. Any garbage can contain toxins such as e-coli that can affect your pet's organs. This includes leftover tinfoil that, when chewed, can obstruct your pet’s intestinal tract. To show your pets how thankful you are to have them as part of your family, give them a feast of their own pet food, a catnip treat, a special chewy, or a few tablespoons of peanut butter stuffed in a favorite "tube" toy (this provides at least a half-hour of entertainment).
Don’t forget the after-dinner nap
Some pets may not take all the excitement lying down. So provide a quiet place away from all the hustle and bustle. Find a room where you can close the door to give your pet some time alone to de-stress. Provide plenty of food and water and let your pet catch up on some zzzz’s.
And always keep your veterinarian's number handy, along with the number of the animal poison control center, in case of emergency.
Christmas
Christmas is a wonderful time of year. But make sure it's a wonderful time for your pets, as well. The decorations, food, and festivities can add up to disaster for your companion animal.Christmas Trees
• Anchor trees securely. Climbing cats and dogs with wagging tails can knock over your tree.
• Hang breakable, glass ornaments well out of reach. The small glass and metal fastenings can be
stepped on or even swallowed by your pet.
• Keep tinsel, ribbons, and garland out of reach of pets, especially cats that are intrigued by them. These
can become lodged in their intestines and cause obstruction and lead to surgery or death.
• Clean up pine needles frequently. They can be toxic when eaten by your pet.
• Prevent your pet from drinking water in the tree stand if you have added preservative chemicals. These
can be poisonous to pets. Also, stagnant water can contain bacteria, which may lead to vomiting and
diarrhea if ingested.
Holiday House Plants
Although they add a warm touch, many plants can harm your pets. Keep these potentially dangerous bloomers well out of reach.
• Lilies can be deadly to cats, and many types can cause cats to have kidney failure.
• Poinsettias, although not as toxic as people often think, can upset your pet's digestive system.
• Mistletoe, especially the berries, is highly toxic, can cause stomach upset, and has the potential to
cause fatal heart problems.
• Holly can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and lethargy.
• Certain types of Ivy, such as English Ivy, can also cause severe harm.
• Amaryllis can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
• Hibiscus can cause diarrhea.
Lights, Candles, and Fragrance
• Keep lights and extension cords safely secured or covered to deter chewing, which can lead to electric
shock or even electrocution. Better yet, invest in pet-proof extension cords, or spray with products such
as Bitter Apple or Chew Stop.
• Candles can be fragrant and enticing to pets. But they can be a fire hazard if knocked over by an
exuberant pet, and the fumes can be harmful to birds.
• Liquid potpourri and sachets, popular during the holidays, can be very dangerous. Exposure can cause
skin or oral damage to your pet and may cause illness or death.
Food
Chocolate can affect the nervous system and cause urinary system and heart muscle damage in your pet. It also contains theobromine that can be especially harmful to dogs if ingested in large quantities. Keep unsweetened baking chocolate, especially dark chocolate out of reach.
• Coffee is also dangerous to animals. Watch out for grounds and whole beans. Nicotine is a stimulant
that can increase the heart rate leading to collapse, and in the worst case, even death.
• Onions are toxic. They inhibit an animal's ability to coagulate blood. Foods containing high amounts of onion
powder should also be avoided.
• Fatty foods can cause digestive upset, as can bread dough, nuts, and other "people" foods. Traditional
holiday foods such as turkey, ham, and other fatty foods can cause pancreatitis in some animals.
Upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea can occur if pets consume these items. Limit table scraps, and
let your guests know as well.
• Alcoholic beverages should be kept away from animals year-round.
• Bones can be damaging to intestinal tracts. Poultry bones can be especially dangerous or even fatal to
animals.
• Grapes and raisins can lead to loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and acute renal
failure indogs resulting in death.
• Watch the string that ties up the turkey or roast, as well as the little red "pop-up" thermometers. Dogs
and cats often eat these tasty things, causing intestinal blockage.
Make the holidays special for your pet
Provide your pet some extra love and attention to let them know they’re not forgotten.
• Take your dog for an extra walk -- it’ll help both you and your pet relieve some of that holiday stress.
• Keep a supply of pet treats handy and reach for one before you’re tempted to toss your pet that little bite
of “people” food.
• Let your pet get into the gift-giving spirit by making a donation (e.g. food, litter, toys) to your local shelter
in his name.
Don't Forget Your Four-Legged or Winged Valentines
Valentine's Day is the perfect time to show your loved ones how much you care. As you're showering your affections, don't forget your four-legged or winged best friends. How can you show these family members how special they are? Here are some ideas.Give them a pet-friendly Valentine's Day treat. Offer your dog a new chew toy or bone, or give your cat some special catnip. Whichever treat you choose, though, remember: No chocolate, no chocolate, no chocolate. This human food can be toxic to pets -- especially dogs. Many people stick to this rule throughout the year, but become lazy during the holidays. You might be tempted to think, "It's Valentine's Day! One piece won't hurt." And while, one chocolate treat may not harm your pet at all, it may cause terrible health problems, even death. You don't want to take that chance!
Buy or make something special. Perhaps your dog would like a new bed, or your cat a new scratching post. Birds love mirrors or other fun items for the cage. Get creative!
Watch those human Valentine's Day gifts. This holiday often brings special cards and gifts decorated with ribbons, tinsel, or yarn. Unfortunately, cats appreciate these items, as well. Although cats love to play with string and tinsel, these "toys" can cause serious damage to your cat's intestines if swallowed. Make sure your special gifts stay out of your cat's reach!
Spend some quality time with your pet. Go for a long walk, plan a special grooming session, or curl up together for a good cuddle. Celebrate Valentine's Day by enhancing the bond you share -- your pet will love it!
Help Prevent Easter Cruelty
Thinking about giving your children a bunny or chick as a "special" Easter present? Here are some things to think about. • These extremely vulnerable little animals are poorly suited as pets.
• Although unintentional, the vast majority of the baby bunnies, chicks, and ducks that become Easter
gifts die within a few weeks.
• They require special feeding, care, and consistent temperatures.
• Small children often break the animals' fragile bones and cause other fatal injuries.
• Animals that do survive the first few weeks are often released to animal care and control agencies,
where many must be euthanized because no permanent homes can be found for them.
• You may contract salmonella, which causes severe inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, from
these chicks and ducks. Children are especially vulnerable to this disease.
At Easter time, you can help prevent cruelty by giving your little ones stuffed animals. And, after the holiday, if your family is ready for a new pet, consider an adorable adoptable dog or cat from your local animal shelter.
Stressed? Who's Stressed?
Holidays can bring stress to all of us, and pets are no exception. When routines are disrupted and new activities occur, your pet may be the first to notice. Follow these tips to make the holidays more relaxing for everyone, including your companion animals. • Shy animals can get stressed with the hustle and bustle of holiday guests, so provide a quiet room
where your pets can escape the activity.
• Holiday guests may not know your pets' routines. If your guests smoke, make sure they are careful with
their cigarettes. Also, let them know in advance whether they are allowed to give treats to your animals.
• As your holiday visitors come and go, there will be many escape opportunities for your pets. Make sure
that your pets always wear identification tags, and watch the door!