The holidays have arrived! Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas or New Year’s Eve, make sure to keep your pets in mind when planning your festivities.
LET’S PARTY!
One common theme during the holidays is parties and guests at your home. Keep in mind that this can be stressful for a lot of pets and they may not be able to participate with all the fun. If you have a stressed or anxious pet consider:
– Setting them up in a room to themselves and including their favorite toys, bedding, and food/water dishes.
– Turn on a white noise machine or music to help drown out loud noises
– Take dogs for a long walk before guests arrive so they can get rid of excess energy
– Some pets need medication to help relax during stressful situations. Make sure to get refills if needed and to do a trial run a few days before the event to see how your pet may react.
– Check in on them often to make sure they are comfortable
OH, CHRISTMAS TREE
If your family celebrates Christmas, you may have already found the perfect tree. Gather around for our Christmas pet safety tips:
- Anchor the tree to the wall if you have curious pets or climbers
- Don’t allow pets to drink the tree water which may contain harmful chemicals
- Fatty foods such as turkey skin and gravy can all cause GI upset and pancreatitis. Keep all foods out of pets’ reach.
- Holly, poinsettias, and mistletoe are all toxic to pets. Keep all plants and holiday decor away from pets
- Gifts with ribbon, bows, and wrapping may pose a choking or foreign body hazard. Edible gifts may be tempting under the tree, so keep them stored safely away until gifted
- Keep wires and string lights on high, so that pets can’t chew on them or get entangled
LIGHT THE MENORAH
Help your pets enjoy the Festival of Light by keeping in mind:
Menorah is one of the most beautiful parts of this holiday, but can be hazardous to curious pets. The flames can pose a danger to whiskers and tails so consider LED lights instead or keeping it in a room your pet can’t access.
Dreidel games are fun, but the spinning top can be a big attraction for pets. Small pieces can be a choking hazard, so put everything safely away when you’re finished playing.
Hanukkah foods have us jumping for joy, but rich brisket, sugary sufganiyot, and chocolate coins can all wreak havoc on your pet’s GI system. Even a few bites can cause a painful and potentially deadly condition called pancreatitis. Keep all table foods and leftovers out of the pet’s reach, and cover trash bins securely.
Gifts play an important role in the Hanukkah tradition. Cats are especially attracted to ribbon, raffia, and string, so ensure that these items are safely out of reach to prevent a foreign body obstruction.
NEW YEAR’S EVE AND BEYOND
Let’s party like it’s 2024!
Fireworks are beautiful but can be very scary for pets. Bring them inside before dark and make sure that they are secure and can’t escape. Double check that their collar is fitted correctly and their ID and microchip information are up to date. Talk to us about medication if your pet needs a helping hand.
Balloons and noise makers are not only scary but can also be ingested and cause GI issues.
No one wants to spend a holiday in the animal emergency room. Take some time to plan for your pets and you can enjoy your holidays even more. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your friends at Cross Keys Animal Hospital.