The holidays are a magical time filled with decorations, delicious food, family gatherings, and celebration. But for our beloved pets, the season can also bring hidden dangers and stressful situations. At Care-A-Lot Pet Supply, we want to make sure your entire family, including the four-legged members, enjoys a safe and happy holiday season.
Here are some suggestions to keep your pets safe and happy this holiday season:
Decorations
When decorating your home and your tree, keep in mind any ornaments, wires or decorations that may be at nose level can become a choking or a toxic hazard to your pets. Keep small decorations up high and secure wires from curious teeth. Avoid putting tinsel on your tree as it can be a choking hazard for your pet and can also create other intestinal issues if ingested.
Plants
It is common during the holidays to gift plants to friends and loved ones, however several varieties of common holiday plants can be toxic or deadly to animals. Those plants are Poinsettia, Holly, Mistletoe, Amaryllis and Lilies. There are safer alternatives to gift to friends and family with pets, which include Christmas Rose, Spider Plants and Orchids.
Foods
The holiday season brings out lots of yummy foods, desserts and snacks to enjoy with friends and neighbors, but some foods can be toxic to our furry friends. Foods like chocolate or xylitol can be fatal for pets. Xylitol is a sugar substitute and could be used to bake cookies or other holiday treats. Ensure that pets are kept away from food tables and that any treats, snacks or food is well out of reach for pets. Having a preliminary conversation with guests about not feeding your pets any snacks, scraps or treats can alleviate any potential issues with animals eating something that they should not have.
Other foods like bones and fatty foods like turkey skin are also not preferable to feed to pets as they can become choking hazards or can trigger things like pancreatitis.
Holiday Travel & Parties
Whether you are going over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house or gathering with friends a town over, you want to ensure that your pet is prepared to travel safely during the holidays. Care-A-Lot has great car harnesses and travel accessories to transport your pet safely in the car.
When you arrive at your destination, speak with others about the expectations for your pet and take your time to ensure that your pet is comfortable and happy in their new location.
Holiday Boarding
If your pet is not able to join you on your travels, Care-A-Lot Pet Resorts offers boarding for cats and dogs during the holidays. Book your pet’s cozy stay at a home away from home today.
New Year’s Eve Safety
New Year’s Eve is known for fireworks, noise makers, confetti, food and celebration, which can cause anxiety and for animals who are more noise-sensitive to be frightened and potentially run away. To prepare for the holiday, allow your pet to play and exert any extra energy throughout the day. Make sure their collar and tags have your updated contact information on them. If your pet is frightened by loud noises, prior to any celebration noise, bring your pet into a quiet space with calming music and perhaps consider using an anxiety aid for dogs, calming spray for cats, or speak to your vet about calming medications for your pet.
The holidays should be joyful for everyone in your family, including your pets. With a little planning and awareness, you can prevent accidents and ensure your furry friends enjoy the season safely.
Stop in your neighborhood Care-A-Lot store for pet safe treats, calming aids, holiday gifts and more!
From all of us at Care-A-Lot Pet Supply, we wish you and your pets a safe, joyful, and stress-free holiday season!
Emergency Resources
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
(888) 426-4435
Available 24/7 (consultation fee may apply)
Pet Poison Helpline
(855) 764-7661
Available 24/7 (consultation fee applies)