It’s that time of year again! The house is adorned with festive decorations and is filled with the bustling of guests and familiar holiday scents. This is also the time of year when your pets can be most in danger of getting sick or hurt. The following are a few tips to make both you and your pet’s holiday as safe and stress free as possible.

Keep your Christmas Tree Secured to Prevent Tipping

It would be tough to expect any cat to restrain themselves from climbing or scratching your Christmas tree. Safely secure the tree so it cannot be tipped over. Also, forgo the angel hair, tinsel and anything else your pet can ingest. These things can cause major digestive problems if swallowed. It is not a bad idea to wrap an X-Pen around your tree to prevent your dog from drinking stagnant tree water, eating pine needles, or from trying to play with breakable tree ornaments or presents.

Keep Holiday Food and Drink up and Away from Pets

Many foods that appear frequently around the holidays can be toxic or dangerous to pets. Some examples include: chocolate, coffee, onions, fatty foods, alcohol, grapes, raisins, cigarettes, cooked bones, etc. Remind guests to keep food and drink away from pets and refrain from feeding them goodies behind your back. Ensure that goodies are stowed in sealable containers and that garbage can lids are securely fastened or out of reach. Keep in mind that many people give chocolates as gifts, so you may have it sitting there right under your tree, waiting to make Fido sick.

Keep Holiday Plants out of Reach

Almost all Christmas plants like Holly, Mistletoe, Poinsettias, Lilies, are harmful or toxic to pets. Either consider fake plants or ensure they are kept safely out of reach of all pets.

Provide a Safe Haven for Your Pets

Remember that a change in your regular routine and the addition of holiday guests coming and going can be stressful for your pet. Always provide a place that your pet can go to get away from guests like a crate, an X-Pen, or a gated off room. They can still watch and listen and be part of the celebration, but can get away when they feel overwhelmed.

Keep Your Pet Occupied

If you want to keep Fido out of trouble when guests are over, or when you are unusually busy with holiday preparation, make sure you give him something to do! This is when bringing home treats like bully sticks, tendons, or raw bones would do the trick (always make sure to supervise with any chew). Or, perhaps try a new toy that dispenses treats when he plays with it. If the toy is new, it will still be fascinating enough to keep him busy at least for a little while!

Here are some VIDEO suggestions on how to keep your cat or dog busy!

Cat Treats and Toys

Treat Dispensing Toys

Do Not Give Pets as Presents

Last but not least, PLEASE DO NOT give a pet as a present. Because of the hectic and busy schedules most people have during the holidays, and because a change in environment for a new pet is hard enough, the holidays are a very inconvenient and stressful time to bring a new pet into the home.

If you really want to surprise a loved one, instead buy them gifts associated with a new pet – like a food bowl, a gift certificate to your favourite pet store, etc. This gives them the opportunity to either decline (some people who get surprised with animals do not really want one) or wait until they have sufficient time to dedicate to their new pet.

Most rescues and shelters put a freeze on adoptions at this time of year for this reason prompting many to consider buying pets from pet stores instead. Please do not allow those puppy dog eyes to persuade you – there are many reasons why getting pets from pet stores may be unethical so please do make sure you do your research first.

Featured Adoptable Pet – Beau

My name is Beau and I am a really good boy! I am approximately 2 years old, neutered, and house-trained. I like cats and dogs, but I do have some fears so I think a home without kids would probably be a better fit for me. I am really good offleash and like to play with my foster brothers and sisters at the dog park!

I know lots of tricks cause my foster mom is a dog trainer, and I would love it if we could take lessons together with her.

If you think you have the right home for me, it is my Christmas wish to come home in time for the holidays!

Contact Beagle Paws for more info about Beau (Joyro on their website).

The information provided in this article is not a substitute for regular veterinary care. Adoptable dogs are posted as a courtesy; Tail Blazers is not affiliated with any specific shelter or rescue.