Your Guide to Pet Holiday Safety

Every year, people across the country celebrate holidays with their pets. But sometimes, these celebrations can be hazardous to our furry friends.

Whether you're throwing a holiday party or just hanging out with your pet, it's important to know what dangers are lurking around your home.

In this blog post, we'll be going over some of the most common holiday hazards for pets, as well as how to keep your pet safe in the midst of all that excitement.

 

Eating unfamiliar food

It's the holiday season, and we all know what that means: lots of family, presents, and food. And let's be honest—the last thing you want to do when sitting around a family table is watch your dog eat something weird like a chicken bone. 

It's common knowledge that human food is not usually suitable for our pet's digestive system, but did you know that certain human foods can actually be deadly for your dog or cat?

In addition to the obvious risks of choking or intestinal blockage associated with ingesting bones, some common holiday foods like chocolate and macadamia nuts can also be harmful if ingested by pets. So, be extra careful where you put your holiday leftovers. If you don't want to worry about your dog eating chocolate or having a deadly allergic reaction, then make sure that he doesn't have access to any holiday treats when they're being served.

 

Holiday decorations that could be toxic to pets

Nothing is more lovely than a home decorated for the holidays. But, if you have pets in the house, then you need to be very careful about what kind of decorations you put up around your home. Holiday lights and tinsel can be dangerous for pets who chew on them because they may contain lead glass or other toxic materials. Also, make sure that any Christmas trees you put up are well out of reach of your dog or cat; branches can break off and choke or poison your pet.

 

Noise from fireworks or other loud parties

What's more fun than a loud party? A loud party with fireworks!

But have you ever considered what it's like for our pets when they hear those booms and bangs? They don't know what's happening and don't understand that you're having a good time. All they know is that something loud is going on, and they can't see or hear you to figure out why. It can be really scary for them.

So this holiday season, if you're going to have a big party where there will be lots of fireworks, please try to think about how your pet might feel. And if you're lighting fireworks yourself, please do it far away from where your pet can hear them—and make sure that they’re safe inside the house or in another room altogether!

 

Unsupervised children playing with pets

We know how much you love your pet. You've had him or her for years, and the two of you have been through so much together. But this holiday season, it's important to remember that pets are still animals, and they don't always understand what's going on around them.

So if you see an unsupervised child playing with your pet, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Pets can't talk! They can't tell you if they're in pain or scared. If a child is playing too rough or accidentally hurting the animal, there won't be any way for them to let you know how they feel.
• Pets don't always know what's happening in the world around them. If a child is trying something new with them—like throwing something at them or putting them in a new place—they might not realize that it could hurt them or make them uncomfortable until it's too late!
• Kids aren't always good at listening to instructions from adults (especially ones who aren't their parents). So even if you tell a kid, "don't play with my pet," there's no guarantee that they won't do it anyway. And if they do, the pet may get hurt or vice-versa.

 

Need a safe & fun place for your pet to stay during the holidays?

At Town & Country Veterinary Hospital, we offer pet boarding & grooming services that have been designed to provide a safe & fun environment for your pets while you're away. Book your pet's boarding appointment now before we book up!