Pet Safety for the Holidays

While the holiday season comes overstuffed with to-dos and but-once-a-years, you can always make a little extra time to make sure you’ve got your house properly pet-proofed before the celebrations begin. 

Next time you find yourself with a free afternoon (as if there were such a thing in December), here’s what you can do to make your winter wonderland the absolute safest it can be for your dogs and cats.

Food

When it comes to meal time around the holidays, trust your gut (and theirs). Most of the foods on the naughty list carry the same properties you wouldn’t feed your pet anytime of year: mysterious ingredients, excess sugar and potentially toxic additives. There are, however, plenty of safe pet foods for the holidays. The key is knowing the difference before the table scraps hit the floor.

• Do not under any circumstances feed your pets chocolate, coffee, macadamia nuts or any desserts. It seems obvious, but alcohol is also off the table.
• Keep a watchful eye if your pets get into the turkey, ham or chicken. While the meat itself isn’t harmful to cats and dogs (in fact, quite the contrary), the bones inside, the skin that surrounds it and fatty hunks of meat are all potential choking hazards. Plus, too much greasy meat is almost sure to leave your pets with an upset stomach.
• Feel free to toss them a few holiday favorites while you’re prepping. Raw, unseasoned veggies like carrots and celery can be a nutritious treat, while fruits like blueberries, cranberries and apples are all safe in moderation.

Decorations

As a concerted pet parent, you’ve probably heard more than one reminder to lock away the mistletoe and keep it light on the tinsel. Though unfortunately, the holidays present more hazards for your pets than the obvious alone.

• Skip the strings. Popcorn and cranberry garlands look great this time of year, but can pose a serious choking hazard and create real problems if swallowed. If you know your pets to be adventurous with their chewing, skip any stringed edibles and opt instead for solid ornaments.
• Watch the lights. Those multi-color pebble lights that come bundled by the hundred aren’t exactly known for their reliability. Wherever you decide to hang them up, make sure you keep them inaccessible to your pets to eliminate any risk of shock or chemical burn.
• Secure the tree. If you’re putting up a tree, know it’ll stay at the top of the sniffing order for your four-legged family members all season long. As YouTube compilations will readily document, both dogs and cats have checkered histories with their coniferous enemies. We recommend stashing the tree somewhere out of the way, spraying it with a non-toxic deterrent like citrus and even weighing it down on the off chance they break through. Baby gates can come in handy here, as well.
• Tend the flames. Cat owners know the love-hate relationship their furry friends may have with candles. Intense curiosity at one flicker, hissing revulsion the next. Instead of tempting fate by lighting them in striking distance, make sure you’ve got your tea lights somewhere far from paw’s reach. Flameless electric candles are always a great alternative.

Visitors

Whether it’s a pie drop-off or a group of socially distant carolers, your pets typically have more to deal with around the entryway during the holiday season.

• Prep a safe place. A knock or a ding-dong can jolt a sleeping dog or cat into action. Keep them calm by directing them to a bed, blanket or comfy corner of the house where they feel secure and protected. 
• Be honest. We may see our pets as faultless little cherubs, but it’s important to take a quick reality check before new faces arrive. Does your dog have a licking habit? Does your cat play fast and loose with the claws? Know what your guests should expect, accommodate where you can and — if possible — let them know the deal before they’re at your doorstep.
• Give them a rest. It wouldn’t be quite fair to expect perfect behavior from your pets with all the new personalities and added commotion. If you notice them growing restless or irritated by visitors entering their space, calmly escort them somewhere familiar yet farther away from the action. 

What’s left?

Before you pour yourself a celebratory nog, ask yourself if there are any special concerns that apply specifically to your pet and the holiday season.

• Does your pet take regular medication? It’s easy to get knocked out of your routine in the pine-scented whirlwind of the holidays, so get ahead of it while you can. A pill organizer can help you set out their medication for the week, and serve as a gentle reminder when everything feels like priority #1.
• Is your pet due for a vet visit? Make sure they’re up to date on their vaccinations and health exams before you invite anyone into your home to interact with them. It’s as much your duty to your pets as your friends and family.

With the right precautions, there’s no reason your pets can’t bask in all the joy and warmth of the holidays right alongside you. From all of our four-legged family members to all of yours: Happy holidays, and we’ll see you in the new year.