Holiday Safety Tips for Dogs and Cats

A time of happiness and cheer for us humans, the busy holiday season involves a few safety hazards for our four-legged friends. Follow these tips when including your dogs and cats in the holiday festivities to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

Decorations

Whether your Christmas tree is real or artificial, there are some safety precautions to take to ensure your pet stays safe when sniffing around this strange new structure in the home. Make sure your tree is set up securely to ensure it cannot fall if your furry friend gets too inquisitive. It is also important to make sure your pet cannot get to the water at the base of a live tree. Stagnant and containing fertilizer, this water can cause nausea and diarrhea if ingested.

Especially for cat owners, we recommend steering away from tinsel this Christmas season. Although it adds a beautiful shimmer to the tree, tinsel’s sparkly color is extremely enticing to cat and can cause obstructions in the digestive tract if swallowed. Also pay attention to where lights and candles are placed throughout your home to prevent electrocution and burns. Keep lighting covered or spray them with a pet-proofing product like Bitter Apple Chew Deterrent.

Holiday Plants

While holiday plants in shades of green and red make beautiful additions to your home, they can be highly toxic to your furry friends. Holly can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy, while mistletoe berries can cause fatal heart problems. We recommend decorating with artificial flowers or choosing a pet-friendly flower to keep your curious animals from harm.

Parties

As much as us humans love to celebrate during the Christmas season, our dogs and cats may not feel the same way. While some furry friends love to mingle with your guests, cleaning up dropped food and getting belly rubs, most animals will enjoy a quiet escape as some point during the party. Make sure you and your pets have a happy holiday season by providing them with a quiet corner to relax in when they feel overwhelmed. Place their bed and some toys in a bedroom away from the party area to provide a peaceful retreat.

For more holiday safety advice, visit the American Humane Association or the ASPCA. Heading out of town to visit relatives this holiday season? Make a reservation for your dog to stay with us at Tailwagger’s Country Inn. We recommend booking in advance, since the holiday season is one of our busiest times of the year. To learn more about our Van Alstyne, Texas facility and to book your pet’s stay, call us at 1-877-774-DOGS. We can’t wait to spend some time with your furry family member!