For many of us, Christmas is marked by a number of holiday habits, traditions, and creature comforts from our pets that bring the season to life. While there’s a lot for us pet owners to look forward to this time of year, like cozy nights cuddled up by the fire or those precious holiday-themed pet costumes, there are also a few holiday hazards for pet owners to be aware of.
In this guide, we’ll go over a few safety tips for a merry Christmas for pets, plus a few gift ideas to treat your pets this year!
1. Be Careful with Toxic Plants
Flowers and plant arrangements are a common Christmas gift, but it’s important to know whether any plants in your festive bouquet pose a risk to your pets. Certain plants, such as poinsettias, are mildly toxic to both cats and dogs, and can cause vomiting or drooling if an animal ingests the milky white sap within.
Other plants to be aware of are lilies (very, very hazardous for cats), holly (can cause gastrointestinal issues), mistletoe (can cause gastrointestinal problems or even high blood pressure), live Christmas trees (conifer needles can cause stomach problems), amaryllis (very hazardous to dogs), yew (can cause high blood pressure, seizures, or tremors), and snowdrops (can cause big gastrointestinal trouble and increased heart rate).
Use your judgment when it comes to plants in the home. While some, such as poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, and live conifer trees can be safely kept in the home if they’re out of reach (and your pet is reasonably well-behaved), others, like lilies, amaryllis, yew, and snowdrops are generally not worth the risk.
2. Don’t Give in to Table-Side Begging
We all love a Christmas feast, and that goes for pets too! While we can make our own decisions about eating rich, salty, high-fat foods as a special treat for the holidays, it’s best that we keep these foods out of reach of pets.
In addition to potential hazards from onions and garlic, fatty foods, and especially cooked bones, giving in to table-side begging will only encourage more of this behaviour from your pet. If you’re feeling the Christmas spirit, consider giving your pet a tasty, pet-safe treat to include them in the feast.
3. Make Sure Pets Are Safe and Warm Overnight
If you choose to let your cat outside of the house, it’s important that you make sure they’re accounted for before you call it a night. While cats can endure outside in cold weather, extreme temperature drops can put them at risk. If you’re asleep when they’re ready to come in, they can be at risk of exposure and hypothermia from spending the night outdoors. To ensure their safety, make sure your pets are safely indoors each night, or better yet, don’t allow your cat outside the house on their own.
4. Choose Decor Wisely
Certain Christmas decorations can pose a hazard to pets. Both real and artificial Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands can be all too enticing to our furry friends, leading to an upset stomach if they consume conifer needles or fake plastic leaves. The same goes for tinsel (those shiny strips of metal or metallic foil that go on trees), which are fascinating to cats but can lead to injury if they swallow it or get poked. Of course, be careful if you light real candles in the home too. Keep pets away and never leave a lit candle unattended.
5. Be Careful When Starting Your Car
Outdoor cats sometimes curl up on top of car tires or near engine blocks overnight to stay warm. Whether you have an outdoor cat or not, it’s worth letting your car idle for a couple of minutes in the morning to give any unsuspecting cats a chance to get off the vehicle before you hit the road.
6. Keep Christmas Treats Out of Reach
We all love a sweet treat at Christmas time, but it’s never a good idea to let your cat or dog get into the goodies. Many common treats, such as chocolate or candy sweetened with the chemical xylitol, are hazardous to pets—especially smaller animals with a lower tolerance for processing toxins. And even if your treats don’t have these ingredients, it’s best to keep them away from pets to avoid excess fat and sugar intake.
Bonus Pet Gift Ideas
What’s the perfect gift for our pet during this gift-giving time of the year? It can be hard to find the perfect thing to show your love for your pet. Often, dogs just want your company, while cats have a reputation for turning their nose up at just about any gift you could think of.
While you’ll have to consider the quirks of your specific pet to dream up the perfect present, a few ideas to start are sweaters for the cold days, some designer bling such as neck collars, leashes, etc., their favourite treat, or a day devoted to spoiling them are just a few options. Every pet is different, and knowing what’s best for the individual is the key to pet gift-giving. One thing is for sure: this gesture will be much appreciated by your furry friend!
Enjoy a Safe Holiday with Your Pets
With the right approach, the holiday season should be a safe, happy, enjoyable time for both you and your four-legged friends. By keeping these essential holiday safety tips (and gift ideas) in mind, you’ll ensure the holiday season goes smoothly for your whole family—pets included!
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