Keeping the Holidays Happy with Pet Safety Tips
The holidays are a joyous time to spend with your loved ones, and you’ll likely want to include your pets in the festivities. Unfortunately, many of our traditional decorations and foods are actually dangerous for pets. Follow our animal hospital’s holiday pet safety tips and keep the holidays happy!
Holiday Food Safety
The food prepared for our holiday feasts are anticipated all year long. While we can enjoy a little indulgence in the tastes of the season, our pets are not so lucky. Many of our foods are actually toxic to them. Avoid sharing the following:
- Meat fat or gristle
- Cooked bones or turkey skin
- Baked goods
- Nuts, candy, and chocolate
- Rich, buttery foods
- Onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks
- Grapes and raisins
Decorating with Care
Decorations bring a wealth of festive cheer to any home, but that cheer could turn to tears if curious pets get into them. Decorate your home with care, and make sure these dangerous decorations are secured or out of reach:
- The Christmas Tree (pine needles irritate the skin, the tree water is toxic, and it can easily topple over if not anchored)
- Electric lights (chewing on cords can cause severe burns or electrocution)
- Ornaments (many are small enough to be swallowed while others could break or shatter)
- Tinsel (irresistible to cats, this adornment is can easily be ingested and cause serious abdominal obstruction)
- Holly and mistletoe (both toxic if ingested)
- Lilies (can cause kidney failure in cats)
Keep your holidays full of happiness and cheer with our holiday pet safety tips! If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask.
