Holiday Pet Safety, Part One
December 11, 2007 by Heather R.
Filed under Pets
There’s a lot to be cautious about this time of year concerning your four-legged friends. Not only are Thanksgiving safety ideas still in effect, but with trees, candles, and other tempting decorations out, as well as cold weather, snow and wind, keeping your pets safe and happy can feel like a full-time job. Here are a few ideas to help you out!
~ If you have animals that live outside or need water access while they’re outside, consider a heated water bowl. PetCo carries these – complete with a chew-resistant cord – for $18-$27.
~ Speaking of water, if you use a live tree for Christmas make sure your pets don’t have access to the tree’s water bowl. Tree fertilizers used during growing and chemicals used after can contaminate the water and cause stomach upset. Cover the dish with a tree skirt or other festive fabric.
Along with the food items mentioned in the Thanksgiving tips, don’t forget about bread dough left out to rise. It can rise in the pet’s stomach, causing serious problems. Alcoholic drinks left on coffee tables and end tables can also be problematic. Liquid potpourri burners are also popular this time of year, and smell wonderfully enticing for many animals. Keep these items out of reach of your pets.
Small batteries are also an issue around the holidays, since many toys and electronic gadgets required tiny batteries that can easily be swallowed. The usual holiday decorations such as garland and tinsel are favorites of many pets, too. Keep a watchful eye out for your decorations, and be sure to consider any holiday plants you bring home, as many can make a pet sick if ingested.
Purrs and woofs,
~Danielle