Common Holiday Pet Hazards and How To Avoid Them

Follow these simple tips so your pet can safely celebrate in the holiday cheer with you.

Some of our most special moments are made during the holiday season, and one of those memories definitely shouldn’t include an emergency trip to the vet. Here are some of the most common holiday hazards and how to keep your pet feeling jolly all season long!

Tipping Trees

• That’s right: everyone’s favourite tradition, putting up a tree, can actually pose one of the biggest threats for our furry friends. Make sure that your tree is securely anchored to prevent it from falling over, especially if the tree is real - tree water may contain fertilizers that are harmful for pets if ingested.

Decorative Plants

• While you may be tempted to deck the halls, holly and mistletoe can be harmful to your pets if accidentally eaten. From nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, to severe gastrointestinal disorders, breathing difficulty, even heart failure in extreme cases, keeping these plants out of the home altogether is your best bet for prevention. Can’t imagine Christmas without it? Then opt for a pet-friendly bouquet or artificial alternative.

Low-Hanging Ornaments

• Many of our favourite ornaments have sharp edges that can cause perforations and lacerations to pets that try to chew on the decorations. Try and keep them out of paws-reach where possible.

Electrical Cords

• Everyone knows that Christmas equals lights, lights and more lights, and that means more risk of burns or electrical shocks for your petespecially if you’re the proud owner of a curious new puppy or kitten. Keep wires out of reach by taping them to the walls or covering them up entirely

Sneaking Food

• Tell your guests to say NO to those puppy dog eyes! If you read our Holiday Food Safety for Pets article, you know that things like chocolate, alcohol and raisins are poisonous to dogs, however some of your dinner guests may not. Make sure you give them the run-down of what foods should not be shared with our furry friends and keep these items out of reach and away from table ledges.

Anxiety Overload

• While humans can get overwhelmed by the comings and goings of family and friends, so can our pets! Give your cat or dog their own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. You may not be able to avoid your Uncle Jack telling you to ‘pull his finger,’ but at least your pup can!