The last thing you want to do at Christmas is have to worry about your pet’s health and safety. You can feel confident in your pet’s well-being and festivities by following the tips below.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Or not. You might want to avoid those beautiful and fragrant plants we fill our homes with at Christmas – they put our pets at risk. Popular plants like poinsettias, mistletoe and holly are extremely toxic if ingested, and can cause anything from gastrointestinal upset to cardiac arrest. If you simply must have them, make sure you keep them far out of reach and vacuum often.
O Christmas Tree
From pine needles to decorations, that tree is a pet hazard waiting to happen.
– Make sure your tree is well anchored so your pet can’t pull it over.
– Fallen Christmas tree needles are very sharp and can easily get stuck in your pet’s paws or throat or if ingested – puncture holes in a pet’s intestine. Sweep up tree needles regularly or fence off your Christmas tree to separate your pet and tree.
– Don’t let pets drink the holiday tree water. Some trees may contain fertilizers, and stagnant tree water can harbor bacteria.
– Your tree won’t get a migraine. Don’t put aspirin in the water; actually, people think it extends the life or the tree or makes it more vigorous. If a pet ingests the aspirin-laced water, its health, or even life, can be at risk.
All that glitters is not gold
– Ornaments hung on lower tree limbs should not be breakable. Also, keep your tree free of decorations made of food!
For peace of mind, check your veterinary’s holiday hours over the Christmas period. Keep their phone number on hand just in case you need it.