Taking the Bite Out of Holiday Dangers for Pets
Posted December 23, 2014 05:45 am
ORLANDO,
FL– With all the food, festivities and decorations of
the holiday season, keeping Fluffy or Fido safe can be a
challenge. But furry family members should be just fine
as long as their owners follow some simple precautions.
K.C. Theisen, director of pet care issues with the Humane Society of the United States, says bowls of candy or snacks left sitting out can cause health issues for pets.
"Chocolate is a well-known toxin to dogs and to cats," she says. "Some nuts are also not healthy for pets to eat, especially if they get a large number of them. It's best to keep all of those dishes and all those snack trays above nose level."
Theisen
also says seasonal plants like poinsettias, mistletoe,
and holly need to be kept out of reach. If consumed, all
three can be poisonous to pets, or at least cause an
upset stomach.
Pets can also be curious about decorations, so Theisen
recommends securely anchoring the Christmas tree, and
keeping all breakable ornaments, tinsel, and garland out
of reach.
In addition, a houseful of guests not only can cause
anxiety for the host, but also for pets. Theisen advises
owners to consider their pet's individual personality
when deciding whether, or how long, they should be
allowed to mingle with guests.
"If they're a social butterfly and they love to see
people and can stay calm around a large crowd,
excellent, they might enjoy the festivities," she says.
"But a lot of pets feel more confident if they have a
safe space to retreat to."
Before putting your pet outside for an extended period
of time, Theisen reminds owners to keep the weather and
temperature in mind. Although cats and dogs do have fur
coats, leaving animals outdoors when it's freezing can
put them at danger for hypothermia or frostbite.
"It's really important to remember their noses are
naked, their ears are mostly naked, and the bottom of
their feet that touches the pavement are naked," she
says. "We have to be extremely careful."
For those who are taking their cat or dog along for
holiday travel, Theisen says it's a good idea to double
up on tags and collars so if a mishap occurs, their pet
can be located as quickly as possible.
Photos/graphics, links added by the Observer | Photo: ASPCA
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