ABC's Of Holiday Pet Safety
Author Unknown
An Alphabetical Guide to Protecting Your Pet this
Holiday Season
A is for "Alcohol," which should
never be given to pets in the form of eggnog or other holiday
beverages. In addition to disorienting a pet and causing distress,
alcohol can lead to serious medical problems.
B is for the "Belly Ache" your pet will get if you
feed her holiday table scraps.
C is for "Chocolate," especially
dark, which should be avoided at
all costs due to an ingredient called "theobromine" that
can cause serious gastrointestinal problems in dogs and cats,
and, in some cases, can be fatal.
D is for "Decorations." They help bring holiday cheer
to a home, but be sure to hang them in places where they
don't pose a danger to your pet.
E is for the "Electrical
Cords" used
with Christmas tree lights and decorations. Pets who chew through
them can electrocute themselves. Apply a repellent, like bitter
apple spray, if your pet won't stay away.
F is for the "Fat" found
in turkey, ham and other holiday meats. Too much of a good
thing brings tummy aches!
G is for the "Guests" that
come over for holiday dinners and parties. Some pets love all
the added attention, but some guests
may not. During these stressful times it can be best
to use an exercise
>>> pen or baby gate to keep pets at bay.
H is for "Holly," a
pretty holiday plant that can be fatal to dogs, cats and birds.
I
is for "Insecticide," which is often found on the
trunk of live Christmas trees and gets into the
water of tree stands. Don't let your pet drink this water;
it can make him very ill.
J is for "Jerusalem
Cherry," another
holiday plant that's toxic for pets.
K is for "Keeping," as
in keeping your dog or cat away from unfamiliar small children
at holiday gatherings, unless there's an adult around to supervise.
L is for "Latch
Key Pets," which
is what a lot of dogs and cats become during the holidays as
their people head off to Christmas get-togethers. So, be sure
to set aside some quality time for your best friend this Yuletide
season.
M is for "Mistletoe," which
contains chemicals that can cause nausea, dehydration and elevated
blood pressure in dogs and cats.
N is for the "Needles" that
fall off a Christmas tree. Pick them up before your pet tries
to eat them; their sharp edges can cut an animal's mouth and
stomach lining...meaning an emergency trip to the vet.
O is for the "Ornaments." Avoid
hanging glass ornaments on low branches where they're accessible
to a curious dog. An ornament that breaks in a
pet's mouth can cause serious trouble.
P is for "Poinsettia," the
very popular holiday plant that's poisonous to pets.
Q is for "Quiet
Room." Make
sure your pet has one, so she can get away from the hustle
and bustle of holiday gatherings.
R is for the "Rum" found
in eggnog. Some pets, like ferrets, will be attracted to it,
but don't let them imbibe, because it will make them sick.
S is for "Safety
Barriers," such
as baby gates, which you should consider putting around your
tree if you have an especially curious pet.
T is for "Tinsel," one
of the most dangerous decorations as far as pets are concerned.
Dogs, cats, birds, pocket pets and other animals are attracted
to its glitter, but if tinsel is ingested it can obstruct the
intestines and require surgery to remove.
U is for "Under
The Tree," an area that should be kept
free of fallen needles,
decoration hooks, tinsel and other pet hazards.
V is for "Veterinarian." Make
sure you have an emergency number for a good veterinarian who
will be on call during the holidays.
W is for "Wax." Be
sure to put candles and other potentially hazardous decorations
in a place where they can't be accidentally knocked over by
pets.
X is for "Xenophobia," which means "fear
or suspicion of
strangers." Lots of pets have this. If new people are visiting
your home during the holidays, give your pet time to get to know
them, and don't force things.
Y is for "Yams," a
Yuletide treat that's actually good for your pets -- in small
quantities anyway.
Z is for "Zoo," which is what your home can resemble
during this hectic,
but fun, holiday season.
