Hazards Around the Holidays

Mistletoe, Holly, and Poinsettias. Keep your animals away from these holiday plants. They are all poisonous to pets.

 

Holiday Trees. Make sure that your holiday tree is steady and secure so that it can't be knocked over. Cover the tree water so that your dog or cat cannot drink from it. Tinsel, string, ribbon, or angel hair can cause choking or intestinal blockage if swallowed by your pet. Sharp pine needles, bits of broken ornaments, and ornament hooks can cause intestinal as well as external injuries. Keep ornaments high enough on the tree to be out of reach of your pets.

 

Guests and Gatherings. If you have guests, post a sign on both sides of your door so that everyone is careful to close it securely. A dog or cat can easily slip out and not be missed in the holiday confusion. (This is one more reason to make sure that your companion animal is wearing up-to-date identification.) You might even consider keeping your pet in a quiet room during the festivities. This way, you won't have to worry about them slipping out, and they won't be frightened by the noise and commotion.

 

Animals As Gifts. Do not give a dog or a cat as a gift. Having a companion animal means a daily commitment to that animal for its entire life (10-20 years). Becoming a pet owner is a personal decision that should never be made by someone else. If you want to offer the companionship of a dog or cat to a friend, give a gift certificate from The Anti-Cruelty Society instead. This way, the recipient can choose an appropriate and compatible animal--or choose to not get an animal at all.

 

Emergencies. In the event of an emergency, be sure to know how to offer your pet first aid and where to obtain follow-up care from your veterinarian or an emergency clinic.