Pets can easily get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. It’s important to do your best to keep them healthy and safe during this time of celebrating. Here are three holiday tips for keeping your pets safe during the holiday season.

Decorations

Dogs and cats are notorious for getting into things they might not need to be in. Holiday decorations are beautiful, but some can pose a threat to your pet’s health. So if your pet likes to get into things, make sure not to have these decorations in your home. If you like to have fresh plants or flowers in your home, make sure to avoid ones that pose a danger to your animal.

Holly, Mistletoe, and Poinsettias can become dangerous to your animal if ingested. They lead to vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, and cardiovascular problems. We recommend putting these plants in out of reach places or opting for artificial replicas. Try to anchor down your tree so it can’t be knocked over and keep animals from drinking the water if you have a real tree. Tree decorations like tinsel can also harm your animal’s digestive system as well and possibly require surgery to remove.

Food

Everyone knows the holidays bring along great food and delicious treats, but most are not pet friendly. As much as you want to give your furry friend a treat, avoid sharing your food. Any foods packed with sugar, fat, or spice are not good for your animal’s stomach. As you know, chocolate can be poisonous to animals if consumed, so make sure it’s out of reach. You can share holiday treats with your pet, but make sure they are specifically for animals. For example, stick with indestructible chew toys that won’t break or get stuck in their mouths. You can also find pet-friendly treats at any local pet store near you.

Guests

New guests can bring about fits of nervousness and anxiety for your animals. If you know your pet will be overwhelmed by the number of visitors in your home, keep them in a different room. This allows them their own space to feel safe when their routine is out of sync. Make sure to include food, freshwater, and the option to go potty. For cats, include a litter box and for dogs, make sure to check on them and take them to the bathroom routinely.

To learn more holiday tips on how to keep your pet safe throughout this season, visit Andes-Straley. At Andes, we offer a variety of veterinary services to keep your pets happy and healthy. To schedule an appointment or chat with a vet, visit us online here or call us at (423) 378-4443 today!