Helpful Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season

• Christmas trees- We all love having these beautiful trees in our homes to celebrate the holidays and create a festive atmosphere but take special precautions to keep your pets from harm. Your cat may consider the tree his new sparkly toy so you will want to make sure it’s secure and won’t tip over.
  
  

• Real trees need water, and pets love to drink from the tree’s water bowl so do not add anything to this water.
  
  

• Electric cords. Light cords and extension cords are enticing chew toys for both cats and dogs and can deliver painful and even lethal doses of electric shock. Make sure they are well hidden.
  
  

• Skip the tinsel- “Tinsel is a kitty’s favorite toy-but ingesting it can lead to vomiting, upset stomach and possibly intestinal obstruction which require surgery,” says Dr. Bauer. So, forgo this decorating addition if you have pets.
  
  

• Gifts under the tree-Be very careful with ribbon. Again, just like the tinsel if your cat or dog ingests these it can cause serious problems. Also, any food in the gifts? Trust me your dog can smell it! “We all know not to let our dogs eat chocolate,” adds Dr. Bauer, “But don’t wrap a box of chocolate and put it under the tree. Dogs love chocolate and ingesting it will make them very ill. Keep those special chocolate gifts out of reach until they are ready to be opened.”
  
  

We hope you find this helpful and you and your pets all have a safe and wonderful Christmas!