As we deck the halls for the holiday season, our beloved pets eagerly join the festivities, turning our homes into their playground.
If you have pets, you probably have seen your pets doing things like these: Your mischievous cats, enchanted by the shiny Christmas ornaments, climb the tree like Mt Everest explorers.
Your pup is beneath the tree, resting comfortably like sleeping beauty, drawn to it by the glow and warmth of the twinkling lights.
Your dogs and cats, or maybe your bunnies and ferrets, playfully tugging at the festive bows adorning the gift boxes.
The allure of the glimmering ornaments and cozy lights may be too hard for our furry companions to resist.
As a pet parent, the aftermath may leave you dismayed with broken ornaments, opened gifts, and scattered tinsel adorning your living room. Your house looks like the Tasmanian Devil decided to visit. Meanwhile, your pets look at you adoringly and with huge, innocent eyes.
Driven by curiosity rather than malice, our cute pets engage in these playful antics; however, these seemingly innocent actions may lead to unforeseen consequences, such as an unexpected visit to the emergency hospital.
Here is a list of the most common holiday items that can be dangerous to pets:
Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats. Dark chocolate is particularly dangerous. Chocolate toxicity can cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure.
Fatty Foods: Rich, fatty foods can lead to pancreatitis in pets, causing abdominal pain and vomiting.
Meat Bones: Cooked meat bones might seem like a treat, but they can splinter and cause blockages or lacerations in the digestive tract. Raw bones have less chance of splintering but can transmit disease-causing pathogens, such as Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Listeria, and parasites.
Alcohol: Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, respiratory failure, or even death.
Xylitol: This sugar substitute is often found in sugar-free gum and baked goods. It can cause insulin release in dogs, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, and liver failure.
Onions and Garlic: Whether in raw, cooked, or powdered form, onions and garlic can be harmful to dogs. They affect red blood cells and cause a condition known as hemolytic anemia. Cats are especially susceptible to onion and garlic toxicity.
Grapes and Raisins: Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs and cats and can lead to acute kidney failure. Whether dried raisins or grapes are part of a fruit salad, they should never be accessible to pets.
Poinsettias: While not as toxic as once believed, they can still cause mild irritation to a pet's mouth and stomach.
Holly: Ingesting holly berries can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Mistletoe: Depending on the type, mistletoe can be highly toxic to pets. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, slowed heart rate, or even death.
Lillies: Other plants are far more dangerous. Even tiny amounts of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats. Lilly exposure in dogs can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
Christmas Trees: Do not let your pets drink from the water reservoir. Especially if you use fertilizers. Drinking the stagnant water can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Tree Water: Some additives in Christmas tree water can be harmful if ingested.
Glass Ornaments and Decorations: Glass ornaments can break, causing cuts to paws and faces. If ingested, they cause blockage and laceration to the digestive system. If you are fond of snow globes, keep them away from pets. Some may contain poisonous chemicals such as ethylene glycol, which can cause kidney failure.
Candles: Curious pets may knock over candles and menorahs, causing burns or even starting a fire. Keep your pets far away from open flames.
Tinsel, string, and ribbons:
People love using tinsel to decorate their trees, but it is one of the most dangerous things to have in your house. Ingesting these can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction, which may require surgery. Ribbons and strings should be kept away from pets, including popcorn string and similar objects.
Electrical cords: During the holidays, we tend to have more lights and decorations around the house. Curious pets may play with them, but
chewing on cords can result in electric shock, oral burns, seizures, and even death. Unplug them and keep them out of reach when your pets will be left unsupervised.
Fireplaces: Pets may be drawn to the warmth of a fireplace. Getting too close can result in injuries, like burns from the flames or hot surfaces. Smoke and soot inhalation can cause respiratory issues. Pets may come into contact with residue from treated wood, ashes, or other substances used for kindling. These substances can be toxic when ingested.
Heaters: Kerosene heaters should never be used indoors. You and your pets could be exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning. Heaters and other devices used for warmth can cause injuries or fire if knocked over, played with, or moved out of place. Keep pets away from them.
Chemicals and cleaning supplies: Ingestion, contact, or inhalation of bleach, ammonia, chlorine, and other cleaning agents can cause serious illness or death. Even natural cleaners pose dangers. Anti-freeze can cause kidney failure or death.
Rock salt: Rock salt, commonly used for de-icing roads and sidewalks during winter, can cause irritation, redness, dryness, and discomfort on their paws. Prolonged exposure may result in chemical burns. Pets may ingest rock salt while walking on treated surfaces or licking it off their paws. Ingesting it can lead to salt toxicity, causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in severe cases, seizures.
Loud noises: Fireworks and loud celebrations can be stressful for pets, leading to anxiety and fear. Keep your pets in a quiet area. Keep doors and windows locked. Pets, driven by loud noise, may run away. They could get lost or hit by a car.
Guests and strangers: Some pets may be uncomfortable or anxious around new people, especially if there are many guests. Give your pets a safe place to relax. Keep your pets away from guest belongings, such as bags or purses. Maintain guest rooms locked to keep your pets from going in. Tell your guests to keep doors and windows closed to avoid letting your pets out accidentally.
If you suspect your pet has ingested something harmful, contact your veterinarian. Keep a list of names and phone numbers of Animal Emergency Hospitals near you and within a 50-mile radius.
Contact a pet poison hotline immediately.
ASPCA Pet Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
If you live outside of the United States, do some research and keep the numbers taped to your fridge or somewhere handy.
What can we do to avoid a catastrophe?
Pet-proofing your house for the holidays is a thoughtful way to ensure your furry companions stay safe and happy during the festive season.
Here are some tips to help you create a pet-friendly environment:
Secure the Christmas Tree:
Anchor the tree securely to prevent it from toppling if your pets decide to climb, explore, or play around it.
Consider using a pet gate to limit access to the tree.
Pet-Friendly Decorations:
Buy nonbreakable or pet-friendly ornaments that will not cause harm if knocked off the tree.
Avoid using tinsel, as it can be tempting for pets to play with and may pose a choking hazard or cause digestive issues if ingested.
Avoid Harmful Plants:
Keep toxic holiday plants, such as poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe, out of reach, or choose artificial alternatives.
Consider using pet-safe plants to decorate your home.
Secure Electrical Cords:
Tape the cords to the floor or secure electrical cords with PVC pipes to prevent pets from chewing on them, which could lead to electric shock.
Consider using pet-proof cord protectors.
Safe Lighting:
Opt for battery-operated or pet-friendly LED lights on the tree to reduce the risk of electrical accidents.
Pet-Safe Wrapping:
Choose non-toxic wrapping paper and avoid using ribbons or bows that pets might be tempted to chew on.
Store wrapping supplies out of your pets' reach.
Monitor Food Access:
Keep holiday treats and festive foods out of reach. Many human foods, such as chocolate, raisins, and certain spices, can be toxic to animals.
Remind guests not to feed pets from the table.
Create a Safe Haven:
Set up a quiet, safe space for your pets to retreat if the holiday festivities become overwhelming.
Provide comfortable bedding, toys, and water in their designated area.
Play soft music to relax them.
Careful Candle Placement:
Keep lit candles out of reach, or consider using flameless LED candles to eliminate the fire risk.
Secure Trash Bins:
Use pet-proof trash containers or keep them securely closed to prevent pets from getting into potentially harmful items.
Guest Etiquette:
Inform guests about house rules regarding your pets, such as not feeding them or ensuring doors are closed to prevent escapes. Your pets should not suffer the consequences due to careless guests.
Pet Identification:
Confirm that your pets' ID tags and microchip information are up-to-date in case of accidental escapes.
Keep updated photos of your pets. Have some pictures from different angles for easier identification.
Taking these precautions will keep your pets safe, and you will enjoy the holiday season with peace of mind.
Choosing pet-friendly decorations is not just about safeguarding your furry companions. This is also a way to make environmentally conscious choices during the festive season.
Traditional holiday elements like tinsel and bows can have detrimental effects on the environment.
Tinsel poses a long-term threat to our ecosystems.
It is often made from non-biodegradable materials like plastic or metal.
It can take years to break down and will contribute to pollution and negatively impact wildlife.
Likewise, the glittering bows that adorn our presents may look charming, but many are crafted from materials that are not easily recyclable.
They end up in landfills, adding to the growing waste problem.
Consider using reusable bags like tote bags. They will hold the present securely inside, and they are great presents.
By opting for pet-friendly and eco-conscious decorations and items, such as natural fiber bows or reusable ornaments and bags, you are creating a safer space for your pets while contributing to a greener, more sustainable holiday season for everyone.
Small changes in our festive traditions will significantly impact the well-being of our pets and our planet.