The holiday season is around the corner, with all its fun. As you might be finalizing the preparations for a perfect celebration, don’t forget your pet as they may be agitated by the hustle and bustle going on in the house. Your festive happiness can turn into worry if you don’t pay attention to protecting your furry buddy from probable accidents or stressful situations. This holiday season, pledge to make the celebration special and harmless for your furry family member too.
Here is a list of a few essential steps to having a pet-safe holiday celebration.
Let’s get started!
Simple tips for pet safety during the holiday season
Avoid toxic holiday plants
First and foremost, remove all the harmful items from the Christmas tree and decorations. It is better to go with either an artificial tree, a pet-friendly Douglas fir, or a white pine live tree, as their needles do not stick to your furball’s paws. Keep the tree on an elevated platform or inside a covered area, out of your pet’s reach. Tie the tree properly so that it does not topple over and injure your pet.
Keep decorations and chords out of reach
Now, take a look at a few ways to make decorations safe for your pets.
The baubles:
Your furry buddy may find the colorful baubles attractive and may jump to get it, thinking it is a fetch. But if your pet breaks them while trying to play, the shards can inflict internal injuries when ingested or can cut their paws. It is better to keep baubles restricted to the upper half of the Christmas tree. Also, avoid decorating the tree with chocolate baubles. Your pet may consider them as a treat and end up grabbing and eating them, which can be toxic for your four-legged buddy.
Candles:
Candles are equally harmful to your pet. They can set a fire by accidentally knocking down the candles. Go with the candles that use batteries instead of the ones with flames.
Plants:
Holiday plants like ivy, mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias are not good for pets. Their leaves can have a poisonous effect on your furry pal when ingested. Avoid bringing such plants to your home for decoration.
Wiring:
Keep all the wires out of your pet’s reach. An uncovered strand can give them a fatal electric shock. Chewing on them can also be harmful to your companion.
Keep them away from gifts
The colorful ribbons, bows, and unwrapping gifts are fun and can easily catch your pet’s attention. But they can be choking hazards; besides, what is stuffed inside can also be harmful to them. To avoid such accidents, keep the presents in a secure place, away from your pet when you are not around.
Be careful with holiday foods
Who would not like to have a satisfying holiday meal? Your pet is not an exception. They also enjoy feasting on the salty and sugary table scraps and Christmas candies, which are not good for them. Keep your dog or cat away from candies, raw eggs, raw fish, raw meat, garlic, onions, grapes & raisins, and coffee as they can be toxic for them. Instead, prepare some pet-friendly healthy food at home to make your fur buddy happy.
Make sure to cover the trash
Keep the trash cans covered all the time so that your pet cannot topple over them and spill the waste. The bones from leftover food can splinter and feasting on them can cause severe health problems for your furry friend. They can get caught in the gift ribbons, and the wastage from decorative pieces can inflict cuts on them.
Create a calm space for your pets
Surrounded by loud, cheery noises and guests, your pet can feel anxious. To comfort them, provide your furry companion with a separate room and let them rest in a quiet place, away from the party chaos. Avoiding forceful engagement with the guests will also help keep your pet calm.
Don’t forget to attach the ID tag
Though you try to keep the doors closed all the time, your pet can manage to run outside if any door stays even half open. And you may not be aware about their mini adventure while you are busy attending to the guests. To help your furry buddy find their way back home when lost, make sure they always wear a collar with an ID tag with your up-to-date contact information.
Protect them from lights & loud noises
Loud noises and lights can frighten your pet and make them stressed. It is best to keep them at home while you make the most of the fireworks displays. Keep the curtains down, play soft music, and make the ambiance of your pet’s room as calm and cozy as possible.
Make the most of this holiday season together, safely
Holiday celebrations can be stressful for our furry companions. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying the festivities to their fullest, taking care of your four-legged friend’s safety is equally important. Keep your furry friend safe by making pet-friendly arrangements and make this year’s holiday celebration enjoyable for your furball, too.
