Keeping Pets Safe During the Holidays

The holiday season should be a time filled with family, friends, fun, and joy. Keep it that way by making sure your beloved pets stay safe! Follow these tips from a Welland veterinarian.

There are a lot of holiday goodies that we enjoy but could prove quite harmful to our pets. Chocolate, candies and gum sweetened with xylitol, baked goods—all of them could poison your pet, or at the very least give him an upset stomach. Don’t give your pet a lot of table scraps as holiday treats, either. Consult your vet for a complete list of foods to avoid this season.

If you’re setting up a tree in your home, make sure it is securely anchored in the tree base so it can’t topple over should your pet bump into it. Also make sure your pet can’t get to the stagnant water inside the base, as it is a breeding ground for bacteria. Clean up any loose pine needles on the ground around the tree—they could puncture your pet’s intestinal lining if swallowed.

Holiday decorations can pose a health hazard to our pets as well. Lights and ornaments might look like toys to a playful pet, and they can choke on the small objects. Candles could burn your pet if a tail or paw swipes through the flame, or your pet could accidentally knock one over. Make sure your decorations are pet-safe, and put candles where your pet won’t get to them.

Even small sips of alcohol can be hazardous to a pet’s health. Intoxication, diarrhea, vomiting, and even seizures and coma will result if your pet drinks too much of an alcoholic beverage. This goes for wine, beer, and liquor—monitor all adult beverages at your holiday party and don’t let your furry friend sneak a sip!

Contact your Welland veterinary professional for more helpful holiday tips, and be diligent about maintaining your pet’s health this season!