15 Pet Safety Holiday Tips

Wreck the halls and eat the holly: Either one of these and a pet is absolutely destined to end up at the emergency veterinarian over the holidays. Pet safety around the holidays becomes even more important.

BlogPaws Community bloggers are perhaps some of the best sources online for solid pet safety information. Here then, are 15 of our favorite tips from around the pet blogosphere.  Feel free to blog about this, share it, and pass a link on to pet-owning family and friends. Always keep a watchful eye on pets.

Cords: Many pets are often tempted to chew electrical cords. For precautions, always check your holiday lights for frayed wires, cracked or loose bulbs. ~Sugar the Golden Retriever~

Cat Travel: If you are planning any air travel with your cat, go for an airline approved carrier: ~My Kid Has Paws~

Occupied Pooch: Keep dogs occupied and out of trouble with some fun do-it-yourself games. ~Bark and Swagger~

Escape Warning: It is very easy for your pet to run away… Think about it. You have guests coming and going all day long. It wouldn’t take but a second for your pet to run out the door. ~Irresistible Pets~

Cold Weather:  When it is seriously below zero, walks are short, certain breeds may need winter coats, young and older dogs may also need some winter gear ~MyGBGVLife~

Tinsel Danger: Tinsel’s shine can easily attract the attention of a curious cat, and there are serious medical consequences if ingested. It is suggested that cat owners leave tinsel off of the tree. ~AVMA~

Blizzard or Evacuation Preparation: Water, food, batteries, generator, first aid kits and a full tank of gas in case we need to high tail it out of here for some reason or another.  (BlogPaws note: all pet parents (ferrets, birds, reptiles, bunnies, etc) should have an emergency kit handy and evacuation plan~ My Brown Newfies~

Alcohol: If you are going to be drinking on New Year’s Eve, then be sure to keep your alcoholic beverages out of the reach of your pet’s curious tongues. Alcohol is toxic to animals. ~ Pawsitvely Pets ~

Visitors: Chances are good you may not have pets who are accustomed to a lot of activity. If your friends are bringing kids over, you want to make sure your pets are under control. ~Pets Weekly ~

Human Food Dangers: Pet owners are urged to keep human treats away from pets. Specifically treats that contain chocolate, Xylitol, grapes/raisins, onions or other foods that are toxic for pets.  ~AVMA~

Bone Beware: It might seem nice to give your dog the bones that are left over from your Christmas bird, but these bones are too brittle and are likely to break when chewed, which could cause cuts and abrasions in the throats, stomachs and intestines of your pet. A splintered bone could also lead to choking – it’s just not worth the risk. ~Keep the Tail Wagging~

Snow Globe Dangers: Many imported snowglobes, specifically ones from China, contain Ethylene Glycol, also known as antifreeze.  This can be deadly to your pet. Adverse effects can occur when an amazingly small quantity is ingested. If you suspect ingestion of any amount, seek medical help immediately (and we do mean immediately!) ~Tonks Tail~

Safety with Delivery People:  Teach a sit/stay or down/stay at the front door. A good, reliable stay can help keep your pup from bolting out the door when the delivery man comes by. ~To Dog With Love ~

Batteries Not Required:  It may be great to have batteries for that new, cool toy but chewing or swallowing batteries is extremely toxic for pets. Acid burns from chewing and causing a leak in the battery are common, as are cuts from the metal casing. And what about smaller batteries, like AAA, that can easily be gulped down? They can cause internal burns and removal can require surgery. ~Conscious Cat~

Live Christmas Trees: If you have a live tree in your house keep an eye on the water in the stand. Drinking the water can cause them to ingest dangerous bacteria or plant food which can be harmful to them. While we’re on the subject of trees, try securing your tree with guide wires and attaching them to temporary hooks in the wall to prevent any accidental toppling. Of course, if you are someone who enjoys letting your cat climb the tree this will make for a safer climb. ~Band of Cats~

Clear and Present Dangers: . When gift wrapping, be sure to keep your pet away. Wrapping paper, string, plastic, or cloth could cause intestinal blockages. Scissors are another hazard, and they should be kept off floors or low tables. ~petMD~

Here is a complete PDF of pet household hazards for free download.  For more holiday health tips for your pet, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA.

Are you celebrating the holidays with pet safety in mind?