Keeping Your Pet Safe This Holiday Season
Cold Weather:
Bring Pets Indoors
While I do believe that all pets should be kept indoors for their own safety, this is especially important in the winter months. Dogs and cats, even with their thick fur, can be prone to frostbites and hypothermia in the freezing cold. Pet should always be brought indoors during this type of weather. If this is not possible, warm, adequate shelter should be provided. A doghouse is usually does not provide enough warmth for an animal during freezing weather. A garage might be a better place for animals that cannot be brought inside. Be aware of chemicals and antifreeze in the garage. These can be toxic when ingested by pets. If you must leave your pet outside, make sure the pet has a good shelter such as a well-insulated doghouse with thick and dry bedding. Face the door of the shelter away from the weather and direction of the wind.
Food and Water
Also, be aware of the food and water supply. Canned food and water can become frozen when left outside in below freezing temperatures. Make sure your pet has fresh food and water in a warm place. If you are expecting snow or ice, check your supply of your pet’s food and medication before the bad weather hits. It is important to keep a supply on hand in case you cannot get out on the road for several days.
Walking the Dog
Your dog may enjoy a quick walk outside when there is snow and ice on the ground. Be aware of large chunks of ice on the ground that can hurt a dog’s paw. Also, make sure your dog doesn’t ingest salt or de-icers that are commonly put on driveways to clear the ice. These can also irritate the sensitive pads on an animal’s feet. Before coming indoors, always wipe your pet’s paws off with a towel. If you have a dog that is very small or has little or thin fur, consider placing a dog sweater on your pet before going outside. Some breeds of dogs cannot tolerate very cold temperatures.
Cats and Cars
Cats and other small animals tend to curl up on the underside of the hood of cars. The engine keeps the car warm and makes it a cozy place for sleeping. This can be a deadly disaster if you start the car and do not know there is an animal under the hood of your car. During cold weather, it is always a good idea to bang loudly on the sides and hood of the car before starting the engine.
Pets and the Holiday Season
Now that your have Fluffy and Fido indoors, there still may be dangers lurking about your house. For indoor pets, the holidays can be a time of great curiosity and hazard. There are some precautions you should take to keep your pet safe indoors during the holidays.
Christmas Trees
What cat, kitten or dog wouldn’t love to investigate that new tree? It smells interesting and it is so tempting. Watching your pet around the tree is especially important when there is a new kitten or puppy in the house. Always watch for chewing on the light cords (this actually happened to me once-my cat chewed through a cord. Luckily, he was safe, but we had no lights on the tree that worked that year). Also, avoid tinsel. As pretty as it is, this stuff is bad. Kittens and puppies LOVE chewing on these strings. They can choke and at best, they throw up all over the furniture. Be aware that cats love to climb the trees, too. When cats climb the tree, the ornaments will fall or worse, the whole tree could topple. If you have particularly fragile ornaments, it is best to either firmly attach the ornaments with twist ties or leave them off.
Christmas Goodies
Everyone enjoys all the extra goodies that come with celebrating the holidays-chocolates, cookies, and pies. These items can make your pet sick. Chocolate can be lethal to dogs and cats and it is never a good idea to let your pets eat sweets. If you are having a holiday gathering and need to set food out, leave your cat or dog in another room. Also, if you leave edible wrapped gifts under the tree, make sure the dog (or cat) won’t tear into the package and eat it all.
Deck the Halls
Remember that poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly are all toxic to pets when ingested. Use extreme caution when using these plants around your pets. Also, be aware that pine needles from trees can puncture a pet’s digestive tract.
Under Wraps
If you have young pets in the house, use caution when placing wrapped gifts under the tree. Kittens and puppies are likely to tear into packages and unravel ribbons. String and ribbon can choke a pet either by getting wrapped around the neck or when ingested.
Holiday Visitors
Help your pet keep their calm by providing a safe and quiet place when visitors come. Not all pets enjoy the hustle and bustle of the season. Also, think about placing identification tags on your pets, even if they do not go outdoors. A cat can quickly run outside when visitors are coming and going. It’s a good idea to be prepared for this situation.
Pets as Gifts
Last of all, it is always a good idea to remember that pets should never be given as gifts. Many pets are given up to rescue organizations and shelters every year by people who really didn’t want them as pets. If you think your loved one wants a pet, make sure they take part in picking out the pet.
