How to Avoid Holiday Pet Dangers

The holidays are upon us once again. As you are busy decorating, wrapping gifts, and getting ready for guests, keep an eye on your pets. Here are some things to watch out for.

Ribbons and Tinsel

Keep a close eye on the tinsel if you have cats. They are a sparkly temptation your cat will consider a toy. Unfortunately, some cats will try to eat the tinsel which can cause stomach problems. Keep all string, ribbons, and tinsel away from your cat.

Plants

It's festive to have holiday plants around, just keep in mind how it could affect your pets. Poinsettias have a toxicity to them that is bad for cats. If you catch your cat chewing the leaves, the best bet is to not let him eat or drink for a couple of hours. This will give his stomach time to settle down.

Mistletoe is a very common plant to have around during the holidays. The good thing about mistletoe is your pets would have to eat a lot of it to cause any serious damage. Still, it's best to keep it out of their reach, and call your vet if you suspect your pets have ingested any part of the mistletoe.

Holly isn't very harmful but you should still prevent your pets from eating the berries and leaves. It can cause stomach upset.

Table Scraps

Keep a close eye on table scraps, especially at the holidays. Some desserts have alcohol in them that can be dangerous for your pets. You should also prevent them from eating bones. Chocolate is a definite no, as are any desserts that are sugar-free. They contain ingredients that could cause your pet to have an upset stomach. Keep a close eye on your dinner table. Sometimes the temptation is too great and your pet may want to help themselves.

You can relax and enjoy the holidays with your pets. Just keep toxic plants, people food, and alcohol away from them. A little caution can help prevent a trip to the vet during the holidays.