The Holiday season is one of the happiest times of the year. We love to decorate our homes, host parties, and eat well. While getting ready for the holidays, it is necessary to be conscious of the things you are leaving around the house. Your pets may be in danger if they come into contact with the wrong decorations, food, and more. Take a look at the top 5 hazards for your pets during the holidays.
1. Ornaments and Tinsel
Shiny decorations that dangle from a tree or other things around the house is very inviting to some pets, especially cats. It’s not toxic, but can become very dangerous. Once ingested the long strands of tinsel can bunch up and fatally damage a pet’s intestines. If you become aware that your pet has ingested tinsel, seek veterinary care immediately.
Colorful ornaments are also very alluring to pets. But, because they are made of glass, aluminum, and paper they are very dangerous. If they are chewed and ingested the sharp and jagged pieces can lacerate the insides of any pet.
2. Candles and Lighting
Holiday lights are one of the best ways to decorate your home. Just make sure to keep them out of the reach of your pets. The bright, intriguing, and dangling lights are very attractive for your pets. Dogs or cats can easily become tangled in them.
You also have to be careful if your pet likes to chew on things around the house. If they chew on the cords they can be electrocuted. Keep an eye out for fraying cords as this may be a sign your pet is chewing on them.
3. Ribbon
Ribbon can become a choking hazard for your pet. Try to avoid making a collar out of the ribbon and make an effort to keep it out of your pets reach. If you receive a gift or are wrapping presents be sure to not leave any ribbon around and discard them. The ribbon can wrap around your pet’s intestines which may lead to emergency surgery or death.
4. Food Hazards
Some of our most desired and tasty holiday treats like chocolate and nuts can be very dangerous and toxic to our pets. Chocolate for example, is very toxic for dogs. The general rule is that the darker and richer the chocolate the higher risk there is of toxicity. The symptoms may be different depending on the amount of chocolate ingested.
Also certain nuts should not be given to your dogs. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios can upset their stomach or possibly harm their throat and intestinal tract.
5. Guests
We love to host family and friends over the holidays, but our pets may not enjoy these occasions as much as we do. Sometimes our pets get scared when we have company over. Make sure to give them a private and quiet space where they can feel comfortable, so they are not scared off by your guests.
Courtesy of Veterinary Pet Insurance:
http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-health/Top-5-Holiday-Dangers-to-Pets.aspx
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