Holidays are for family, and for many that includes “children” of the four-legged and furry variety. As Christmas approaches, it’s natural to bring your pets into the celebrations. It’s also important to provide for their comfort during this time, so while you plan to fill their gift stockings, take the time to consider a few safety measures. Here are suggestions to help guarantee a happy, healthy season for your dog, cat, or other pet.

Be mindful of your pet around visitors and crowds. Hosting the holidays this year? That means more foot traffic at home, and your pets may not be used to seeing all the unfamiliar faces. If your dog becomes excited every time the postman’s shadow fills a window, you can imagine how he might react when friends and relatives come to stay. Consider, too, how your guests - especially small children - may react to your pets.

If you know your pet gets skittish and/or aggressive around strangers, you may wish to arrange a safe space within your home for him to stay during the big holiday party. Watch for changes in behavior when they are around larger groups of people and take action if needed. If you plan to attend any outdoor events, like holiday parades or tree lightings, be aware of how the activity and noise may affect your dogs before you decide to bring them along.

Watch the holiday treats. You might think it harmless to sneak a bite of turkey to your pets so they don’t feel left out of the celebration, but if everybody at the table is of the same mindset it could cause digestion problems. Keep your pets to the food they eat and avoid the temptation to feed them table scraps. Also, if you set out bowls of holidays treats - especially chocolates, nuts, and other snacks that are toxic to pets - place them where curious paws can’t reach. Don’t give in to them, either, no matter how much they whine!

Consider pet safety when decorating. Pinterest is full of cute pictures of dogs and cats wrapped in lighted Christmas bulbs, but in truth, the combination of pets and holiday decor can increase the risk of illness or injury for a pet. Tinsel, holly berries, and natural-looking garlands are potential choking and digestive hazards for dogs and cats, and low-hanging light cords pose problems if your pet likes to chew on things.

We’re not saying don’t decorate for the holidays, but be mindful of what you put up in your home and where. Place garlands and wreathes and fragile ornaments out of reach, and avoid decorations that tend to shed loose strands or need to be sprayed or scattered, like confetti or fake snow.

The holiday season should be a special time for everybody in your family, including your pets. Take care to keep them safe through the winter so they can enjoy more holidays to come. When you need ideas to fill their stockings, come see what holiday gifts from Care-A-Lot Pet Supply are waiting in Santa’s sleigh for your pets.