PET DANGERS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

The holiday season is a stressful, hectic time, but it can also be a downright dangerous season for pets. Being aware of the hidden dangers that lurk in everything from holiday food and decorations to family visits is essential for all pet owners to safeguard their furred, feathered and scaled family members.

Top 10 Holiday Dangers to Pets – And How to Keep Safe

Many holiday things we enjoy – special foods and feasts, enchanting decorations, twinkling lights, gifts, visits from family and friends – can actually be dangerous to pets. Fortunately, avoiding these dangers is easy once we understand the potential risks.

  1. Poisonous Foods
    Delicious treats are part of any holiday. Not only do we often have special treats out for snacking, but we might even prepare a holiday meal plate to share with our pets. Many holiday ingredients, however, are toxic to animals. The onions in stuffing, spices on a turkey, fat from ham, salt in gravy, chocolate in baked goods, raisins from fruitcake, many types of nuts and any alcohol –  all are harmful to pets and even small amounts can be dangerous.

    Protect Your Pets: Keep holiday foods out of reach of pets, including accomplished counter-surfers, and never feed your pet from the table. Provide only pet-friendly treats, and be sure pets cannot get into trash or leftovers.

  2. Toxic Plants
    From Christmas trees to poinsettias, Christmas cactuses, holly, lilies, amaryllis and mistletoe, plants are part of holiday decorations and can be lovely additions to home décor to celebrate the season. These same plants, however, are toxic to pets and can be dangerous if pets ingest leaves, berries or needles. Not only can oils in the plants cause dangerous reactions, but sharp leaves or needles might cause internal irritations, cuts or punctures that can be life-threatening.

    Protect Your Pets: Keep plants out of reach of pets or opt for artificial plants that won't have the toxic affects if pets do come into contact with them.

  3. Tinsel, Garland and Ribbons
    Glittery decorations on trees, packages and mantles is beautiful during the holidays, but tinsel, garland and ribbons aren't beautiful to pets. These items can be choking hazards, and can cause intestinal blockages if ingested. Wire-edged decorations can also be sharp hazards if pets nibble on them, causing cuts to the mouth and gums or internal injuries if bits of wire are swallowed.

    Protect Your Pets: Do not play with garland or tinsel decorations, and keep dangling ends or swags well out of pet's reach. Do not use ribbons or tinsel as festive collars, and instead buy a pet-safe holiday collar if you want your pet wearing seasonal gear.

  4. Electrical Cords
    From twinkling light strands to inflatable lawn décor to air mattresses for visitors, our homes can be strewn with plugs and cords during the holidays. Pets that chew or tug on these tempting items may suffer from tangle injuries, choking or even shocks or burns if cords short circuit.

    Stay Safe: Keep cords neatly wrapped so pets can't reach them, or put cords under rugs or other barriers out of reach. Unplug cords when not in use or when you won't be home, and check regularly for cord damage or frayed wires to ensure wiring stays safe.

  5. Ornaments
    Ornaments are stunning holiday decorations whether they are hung on trees, displayed in bowls, draped in garlands or wound into wreaths. Unfortunately, pets may see them as irresistible treats, and broken glass or sharp plastic from shattered ornaments can cause severe cuts and internal injuries to pets.

    Stay Safe: Train animals to keep away from trees and other decorations, and opt for shatterproof ornaments whenever possible. Position delicate ornaments well out of a pet's reach, or keep pets out of the room with the decorated tree entirely.

  6. Candles
    Candles on menorahs, mantles or centerpieces are delightful decorations. A a flame's flicker, however, can be tempting for playful pets, and fire is a real hazard to fur and skin. Furthermore, scented candles are infused with oils that, while delicious to smell, can be toxic if pets accidentally ingest them.

    Stay Safe: Opt for flameless battery-powered candles instead of real flames, and never leave candles burning unattended. Be sure there are no flammable materials near any lit candle to avoid the risk of fire.

  7. Fireworks
    Many people celebrate with exuberant fireworks, but loud noises and explosions can frighten pets. If pets are nearby when fireworks are used, they may also be at risk for burns from smoldering rockets or out-of-control launches. Leftover bits of burned wrappers and gunpowder are also toxic to pets.

    Stay Safe: Keep pets indoors when fireworks are used, and follow all safely precautions when lighting fireworks. Clean up all debris when it is cooled and dispose of it out of reach of pets.

  8. Too Many Visitors
    Visits from friends and family are a wonderful part of the holidays, but extra guests can disorient pets, especially when new visitors use unfamiliar commands or treat pets differently. Children may not know how to safely interact with pets, or overnight visitors may accidentally leave medication or other unsafe items accessible to pets, leading to numerous problems.

    Stay Safe: Introduce guests to pets properly, and let them know what commands or house rules are necessary for pets' safety. Be sure pets have a safe, calm space to retreat if needed, such as a comfortable crate or room where guests don't visit.

  9. Neglect
    It's unfortunate that the holidays can be so filled with extra chores, tasks and events that we may not spend as much time with our pets as we normally do. This can lead to accidentally missed meals, fewer walks or playtime sessions or other inadvertent neglect that can cause stress or other problems for pets.

    Stay Safe: Make time each day for your pets. If necessary, assign different pet care chores to different family members so everyone pitches in to help be sure a pet gets the proper care throughout the holiday season.

  10. Escapes
    With so much coming and going during the holidays, it's easy for a clever pet to slip out of a door or gate unnoticed. This can lead to many dangers, including being lost, hit by a vehicle, encountering predators, cold exposure, coming across toxic chemicals and more.

    Stay Safe: Take extra care to watch pets near any escape points, and be sure they are always wearing collars and identification tags. Get your pet microchipped so you can be reunited if they do become lost.

The holidays are a great time, but also a dangerous time for pets. By being aware of the top pet dangers during the holiday season, however, owners can take all the necessary steps to keep their pets safe, comfortable and happy during every holiday celebration.

COLD WEATHER SAFETY FOR PETS

When temperatures drop, we layer up in warm clothes, turn up the furnace, enjoy hot drinks, and take other steps to stay warm and safe. But what about our pets? Practicing good cold weather safety for pets is essential to keep all our furry, scaled, and feathered family members safe and comfortable in winter.

HOW ANIMALS ADAPT TO COLD

Animals have many natural adaptations to cold weather. Our furry friends may grow a thicker winter coat, while many animals will gain weight in autumn to store an insulating layer of fat just under their skin. Some animals slow their metabolism by sleeping more in winter or could completely hibernate, while others will burrow into cozy nooks when the temperatures drop. Some animals even completely migrate to avoid cold weather. All of these adaptations help wild animals survive even through the chilliest months.

Our pets, however, do not live their natural, wild lives. Many of the animals we keep as pets, for example, would never naturally be found in our home climates or habitats, and their natural adaptations may not be adequate to protect them from severe winters. Fortunately, we can easily help our pets stay safe through the winter, no matter how cold it may be or how much snow and ice may accumulate.

KEEPING PETS SAFE IN COLD WEATHER

There are many steps pet owners can take to keep their animal friends healthy, safe, and comfortable in cold weather. Different steps will apply to different types of animals and some animals are more cold-hardy than others, but understanding how to help animals stay safe in cold weather is the first step to protecting pets.

Cold weather can be dangerous for all types of pets, but there are many steps you can take to keep your animal companions safe and comfortable no matter how low the temperature drops.

DENTAL CARE TIPS FOR YOUR PET

Healthy teeth and gums are essential for all pets, from chewing and eating to grooming, defense and clean breath. With just a few steps, pet owners can keep their pet's mouth healthy and avoid a range of unpleasant and dangerous health issues that result from poor dental care.

Know the Signs

The first step to proper pet dental care is recognizing problems so any issues can be addressed immediately. Watch your pet for these signs that indicate their teeth or gums are in trouble…

If any of these signs are noticed, it is best to take your pet to the veterinarian for a dental checkup.

Good Dental Care

The best way to avoid dental problems is to establish a healthy mouth regimen for your cat or dog.

With proper care, cats and dogs can enjoy healthy teeth for life, and pet owners can easily minimize the risk of tooth and gum problems that can lead to greater health issues and discomfort for their pet.