Keeping your pets safe during the holidays

Don't give turkey carcasses and ham bones to your dog.  The bones can splinter and puncture their throat, stomach or intestines, causing serious life-threatening and painful complications.  To add to the problem, most dogs cannot tolerate the extra fatty meat or skin from ham or turkey.  This can cause pancreatic and even death if not caught early and treated especially for dogs that are diabetic or are on a controlled diet.

Don't give your pet chocolate.  It contains theobromine, which can be toxic to pets.

Don't overfeed your pets - too many table scraps can lead to obesity.  Don't let your pets get into the trash.  Plastic or foil wrappings and the plastic beverage holders can be a very curious thing for your pets but they can choke on the pieces.  The same is true for ribbon or yarn.  If ingested, it can damage the pets intestines.

Holiday plants such as holly, lilies, poinsettias and mistletoe are toxic to pets and can lead to death so keep them out of reach to your pets.

Cat's love to climb the Christmas tree so make sure it is well secured.  Also avoid tinsel on the tree, it can cause choking problems or bind in the intestines of your pet with deadly consequences.  Some folks add chemical preservatives or aspirins to the tree, this is toxic to the pets that drink the water.  The standing water can also contain bacteria.

When decorating your tree, use non breakable plastic or wooden ornaments at the bottom third o the tree or place a barrier around the tree to keep the pets from temptation.

If you have overnight guests, advise them to keep all medications secured.

Tape electrical cords down.  You could even use bitter-apple spray on the cords as a deterrent as long as you spray the cord and let it dry before plugging it in.  Pets chew or claw at them which could lead to electrocution.

Ornaments are particularly tempting to your pets, cats love to play with them and breakage, especially of glass ornaments can lead to choking or tearing of the intestines and death.

Candles are another hazard to your pets, the cats can burn their fur, or knock them down which can start a house fire.  If you have to use lighted candles, make sure they are secured and have a flame guard on them.

Snow Globes are another hazard to pets - they are filled with ethylene glycol, otherwise known as antifreeze, which is deadly, it can lead to kidney failure.

If you are in the habit of leaving food on the counter, you might try leaving it in your microwave if you must leave it unattended.  Most of us do not turn the microwave on (unlike our conventional ovens) without opening the door and putting something inside it to rewarm or cook.

Use protective screens on your fireplace or wood-burning stove to keep pets from getting burned or starting a house fire.

Always keep household cleaning chemicals (even bleach) out of reach and out of any potential drinking source of your pets.

Know where you pets are when guests are coming and going.  They can easily get trapped in a closet or cabinet when the house gets busy or escape outside as you welcome you guests into your home.  It is also a good opportunity for you to have your pets wear current ID tags at all times, just in case they escape or find themselves in unfamiliar neighborhoods.  It might even be a good idea to put your pets in a separate room with some of their favorite toys and a comfortable place to lie down.  Playing soft music, especially classical can help relax them.  They will feel safer and less stressed.

Even though the holiday's can be hectic, the pets should still be kept on their regular feeding and exercise schedule.