How To Keep Your Pets Safe During The Holiday Season

The holidays bring family, good food, and plenty of excitement, and our pets feel all of it right along with us. New smells on the counter, guests coming and going, and a tree full of shiny things can be a lot for a curious dog or cat. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping them safe so the whole family can enjoy the season and start the new year healthy.

Holiday Plants

Lilies are the biggest plant danger for cats. Even a small amount of pollen, a bite of a leaf, or a few laps of vase water can cause kidney failure. If you have a cat, keep lilies out of the house entirely, and give friends a heads-up before they bring over a holiday bouquet.

Mistletoe and holly can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and larger amounts can lead to more serious problems, so keep them well out of reach. Poinsettias have a scarier reputation than they deserve. They usually cause only mild mouth irritation or an upset stomach, but it's still best to keep pets from chewing on them. If you have a live tree, cover the water stand, since tree water can contain fertilizers, preservatives, and bacteria.

The ASPCA keeps a searchable Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List if you're unsure about something new. If you think your pet ate a toxic plant, call us or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away (a consultation fee may apply).

Decorations

Tinsel, ribbon, and string are irresistible to cats, and if swallowed they can bunch up the intestines and require emergency surgery. Keep them off the lower branches and out of gift-wrapping piles. A few other things to watch for:

• Ornaments: Glass ornaments can break and cut paws and mouths. Edible ornaments like popcorn strings and salt dough are tempting, and salt dough can cause dangerous salt poisoning.

• The tree itself: Anchor it so a climbing cat or excited dog can't tip it over.

• Cords and lights: Tuck them away or cover them so pets can't chew through them.

• Batteries: New toys and gadgets mean loose batteries. Button batteries in particular can cause serious burns if chewed or swallowed.

Holiday Foods

Holiday meals cause more problems for pets this time of year than anything else. Rich, fatty foods like turkey skin, ham, gravy, and pan drippings can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis, a painful condition that sometimes requires hospitalization. Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking or intestinal injuries.

These foods should also stay off the menu for pets:

• Chocolate

• Grapes and raisins

• Onions and garlic, including in stuffing and gravy

• Macadamia nuts

• Alcohol

• Raw yeast dough

• Xylitol, a sugar-free sweetener found in some gum, candy, baked goods, and even certain peanut butters

Keep plates and trash cans secured, and ask guests not to share scraps from the table. If your pet eats something potentially toxic, call us right away, even if they seem fine. Don't induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to.

Gifts for Your Dog

Before you fill your dog's stocking, give each chew a quick test: if you can't make a dent in it with your fingernail, it's too hard. Antlers, hooves, hard bones, and some nylon chews are common causes of fractured teeth, and a broken tooth is a painful way to start the new year.

Pick toys sized for your dog so they can't be swallowed, and choose durable ones that won't break into pieces. Supervise playtime with anything new, and toss toys once they start falling apart.

Fireworks and Holiday Stress

Houseguests, travel, changes in routine, and New Year's Eve fireworks can all make pets anxious. Set up a quiet room with their bed, water, and some background music or white noise, and stick to their usual feeding and walk schedule as much as you can.

With guests coming and going, doors get left open, and a frightened pet can bolt. Make sure ID tags are on and your pet's microchip information is current.

If your pet struggled with fireworks last year, schedule a visit in early December. That gives us time to talk through treatment options and make a plan before New Year's Eve, when appointments fill up fast. Watch for signs like pacing, hiding, trembling, excessive barking, or destructive behavior.

Holiday Boarding

Holiday boarding spots fill up quickly, so if you're traveling this season, reserve your pet's stay as soon as you can. We offer overnight and day boarding for both cats and dogs.

Cats stay in our luxury cat condos and get time in our cat playroom. Dogs stay in runs with plenty of bedding and blankets, and our kennel team takes them on multiple walks every day. Every boarding guest also gets a complimentary wellness check from our technician team at check-in, so you can relax and enjoy your trip.

To book, call us at 949-768-1313 or visit mypetsdr.com. 

From all of us at Alicia Pet Care Center, happy holidays to you and your family. Here's to a safe and healthy new year!