Holiday Pet Safety Tips

This time of year is fun and exciting for us humans and our furry companions. Decorations mean lots of exciting new sights and smells for our pets. However these new and exciting things can be dangerous if precautions aren't taken.Take an extra minute or two to pet proof your electrical chords. This time of year decorative lights means extra plugs and a potential chew toy for both cats and dogs. Take a few minutes to secure cords with tape or elastic.

Christmas trees are most likely the funnest new item that shows up at Christmas time. Make sure to anchor your Christmas tree down firmly. Cats may try to climb or a dog may just bump into a Christmas tree and knock it over. Tinsel is especially exciting for cats with all the light it reflects. If a pet eats tinsel it can cause a bowel obstruction. Keep your pet from chewing the branches of the tree, pine needles can irritate a pet's intestinal system.

Keep toxic plants such as mistletoe, holly berries and poinsettia plants out of your pet's reach. Consider using repellent sprays or a dog gate to help keep pets away from areas and objects that may be harmful. Also try not to give too many table scraps. This time of year we all want to share our holiday meals with our pets but they do not have the same digestive system or nutritional needs as people.

If you are throwing a party keep in mind your pet might need a quiet spot. Loud noises, lots of strangers can cause lots of stress on a pet. Provide a quiet room if your pet needs time to un-wind. Parties also mean lots of opening and closing doors. Cats and dogs who like to make a run for the door should be put in another room or crate until all the guests have arrived. All it takes is one second for a pet to slip out the door in the commotion.

Following the above safety tips only takes a few minutes but can help make you and your pet's holiday safer and more enjoyable.