We want everyone to have a safe holiday season and that includes your companion animals. Here are some tips to ensure you won’t be making a needless trip to the emergency vet this holiday season!

1)   Keep those shiny bows and papers out of the reach of your 4-legged companion! Nothing is more enticing, especially to a cat or a puppy, then shiny ribbon. Their thinking is if it looks so pretty and enticing, then it must taste good as well.

2)   And that box of chocolates – definitely keep that out of your dog’s range. Even if it has yet to be unwrapped. I’ve seen more than one dog, who can sniff out a wrapped candy bar in their owner’s purse. That wrapped box of chocolate is not going to stop them. Chocolate is for humans; not for dogs.

3)   The Christmas tree is another concern. Make sure that tree is secured in its stand. If “Tarzan” the cat thinks the tree is there to be his own tree house, then consider also securing the tree to a screw in the wall. Better to not have that tree come tumbling down.

4)   As long as we are on the subject of trees, make sure you cover the water in the Christmas tree stand. It is not meant to be your dog’s or cat’s personal water bowl. It is toxic to animals.

5)   Use caution when hanging those shiny ornaments as well! Hanging them up high, out of reach of extended paws, will ensure to breaking. Those broken glass ornaments can cause cuts and lacerations to those paws!

6)   And no hanging tinsel on the Christmas tree – even if “Tarzan” the cat tells you it would be a nice upgrade for his tree house. If “Tarzan” eats that tinsel, it will be an emergency trip to the vet.

7)   Don’t forget to have a present (or two or three) for your companion animals! Catnip, kong toys, and balls are some of the things the animals have told me they like.

 

Happy Holidays to all!