Holiday Tips for Pet Owners

Here are 10 ways to keep your pets safe during the upcoming holiday festivities:

1. The New Pet
   Holidays are not the best time to introduce a new pet to the household. All the excitement, noise and deviation from the normal routine could make it difficult for a new pet—and any existing pets—to make the adjustment.

2. Pets as Gifts
   Consider seriously the choice to give a pet as a gift. One of the main reasons animals are abandoned or taken to shelters is because they are unwanted. Don't contribute to this situation by giving a pet to someone who may not want it or be able to care for it. If you do choose to give a pet as a gift, allow the recipient(s) to select the pet so that they can find one that is right for them.

3. Food, Chocolate & Treats
   Keep holiday treats and candies out of your pet's reach as they can make your pet quite sick. Candy wrappers can cause digestive upset if eaten.
   
   Potentially harmful foods include: coffee grounds, chocolate, tea, alcohol, hops, salt, onions and onion powder, grapes and raisins, avocado, garlic, and macadamia nuts.
   
   Chocolate, particularly unsweetened, dark, bittersweet and baking chocolate, can be toxic to pets, especially dogs, who are more prone to eat it. If your dog eats chocolate, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately, as treatment may need to be rendered immediately. Symptoms of toxicity include excitement, nervousness, trembling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst or urination, muscle spasms and seizures.
   
   Keep gum, candy or breath fresheners containing the sweetener xylitol away from your dog. When a dog eats even a small amount of xylitol, it causes a surge of insulin, and the animal's blood sugar may drop quickly and dangerously. Cases of liver damage have also been associated with ingestion of xylitol. If your dog ingest xylitol, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately.

4. Leftovers
   Don't feed your pet holiday turkey or chicken, as the small bones or fragments can lodge in the throat, stomach, or intestinal tract. Fatty leftovers such as turkey skin can trigger inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), a life threatening disease. At the very least, too much human food may give your pet an upset stomach.

5. Guests
   Pets can become overexcited, confused or frightened by holiday guests. Keep pets in a quiet part of the house. When guests are over, watch for open doors and make sure your pets have ID tags and/or microchips in case they do get out. Remind your guests that your normally friendly pet may want to be left alone. Outdoor pets, especially black cats, should be kept indoors on Halloween.

6. Christmas Tree
   Make sure your tree is well secured. Avoid adding preservatives, aspirin or sugar to your tree's water, or keep the water covered. Tidy up around your tree and wreaths as sharp pine needles can puncture your pet if ingested.

7. Holiday Decorations
   Holiday decorations such as breakable ornaments and dreidels should be kept out of reach of pets, as should fake cobwebs, tinsel, string, and ribbon. If your pet ingests any of these items, it could experience serious internal injuries, or worse. Light strands, loose wires and electric cords can be a serious hazard to your pet, especially puppies, who may chew them.

8. Plants
   Mistletoe and holly are poisonous and should be kept out of reach of pets. If eaten, poinsettia plants can cause severe gastrointestinal upset. You may want to avoid these other poisonous plants.

9. Candles
   Never leave candles unattended, especially around puppies and kittens. Be careful of candles used in jack-o-lanterns.

10. Stress
    The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone, even your pets. Even though your routine might change, try to keep your pets on their normal routine of feeding and exercise. Some pets might not mind "dressing up" for Halloween, but, for others, it could be a stressful experience best avoided.