Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pets

Oh, the holidays! The warm tidings, the delicious food, all of your loved ones gathered around to celebrate. While we hope your days are merry and bright in these upcoming weeks, we also would like to remind you that while you love those holiday decorations around your home, your pet does too, and that may not be a good thing. But don’t worry! We’re here to give you some holiday safety tips so both you and your pet can have yourselves a merry little Christmas.

1. Oh, Christmas Tree. While it may be funny to watch your cat climb your Christmas tree like it’s the Mount Everest of kitty posts, it also poses the risk for the tree to come crashing down - your cat with it. To prevent this, place your tree in a corner away from your pet’s wandering eyes and make sure to secure your tree tightly in its stand so it doesn’t tip and fall.
2. Ho-Ho-Hold the Holly. Did you know holly and mistletoe can cause major health problems for your furry friends? Holly can make your pet nauseous and cause them to vomit or have diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems. Make the switch to artificial plants and flowers- they’re just as pretty and are safer for your animals.
3. 

   Take Down the Tinsel. Just the way you think the tinsel around your home is pretty and oh so shiny, so does your cat. They’ll see the tinsel as a bright new toy, but should they ingest any of it, they could experience an intestinal blockage and could potentially even need surgery to remove it. So skip the tinsel and opt for a different way to deck the halls.
4. Fido-Friendly Family Time. If you plan on having everyone celebrate the holidays at your home, make sure they know what to avoid giving your pets. Keep certain foods, such as sweets or spicy food, away from your pets to avoid digestive issues. Hold onto your drinks, and don’t let your dogs or cats sip on any adult beverages as alcohol is poisonous to animals and can cause respiratory problems.

The staff at  Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital wants you and your family to have a wonderful holiday season, and part of that means making sure your animals are safe. Following these tips can ensure that both you and your pets have a holly jolly Christmas.

For more tips on how to keep your pets safe during the holidays or to book an appointment, visit our website or ☎️ 908-464-0023.