Pet Wellness and Safety Tips During the Holidays
By Sarah Welk Baynum
The holidays are an excellent time for families to get together, and family includes our pets.
However, not everything your pet will be exposed to during the holidays is safe.
There are some essential dos and don'ts to remember during the holidays so that your pet has the safest, healthiest, and happiest holiday season possible!
Holiday Food Safety For Pets
Food will be a big part of the holiday celebrations. However, many human foods are toxic to pets, and any human food should be kept out of reach.
- Table Scraps: You or your guests may be tempted to give your dog or cat a little table scrap from their holiday meal plate. However, some holiday dinner items can be toxic to pets. Onion, garlic, fatty foods, grapes, and raisins are some of the more toxic foods for pets. For instance, if a pet ingests rich, fatty foods like ham or bacon, this can even result in pancreatitis.
- Chocolate, Candy, and Nuts (even sugar-free): Candy and nuts in a Christmas bowl on your coffee table or candy canes on your tree should be kept out of your pet's reach—whether you are home or not. These candies and chocolates can be very toxic to your pets!
- Baked Goods: Any baked goods should be kept away from pets as they likely contain toxic ingredients. For example, they may contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which has been linked to liver failure and death in dogs.
- Meat Bones and Raw Meat: Another common mistake during the holidays is giving dogs or even cats meat bones. You might think this is something okay for them to chew on, but pieces of these bones can cause intestinal blockages, lacerations, and broken teeth.
- Trash-Picking: Be sure to take trash outside and away from pets to prevent them from trash-digging and accidentally ingesting toxic items!
While some human holiday foods are okay to give to pets, keep in mind these should be given in very small amounts and in moderation, as even too much of a good thing can make your pet sick or cause gastrointestinal upset. If you want to give your pet a small treat from things you likely already have for your holiday cooking, here are a few ideas:
- Pure, canned pumpkin (but not pumpkin pie filling!): A tablespoon or two of 100% pure canned pumpkin is a healthy snack and great for cats' and dogs' digestion!
- Carrots (uncooked or cooked plain): raw, steamed, or baked carrots are a nice add-in to your dog's dinner.
- Sweet Potato: Cook plainly for a healthy treat for dogs or cats packed with fiber, vitamin B6, and vitamin C!
- Squash: Like sweet potato, this can be cooked plainly. Chop it up and add a little to your pet's food dish as a low-calorie topper!
- Green Beans: Cooked plain, these are another great low-calorie food topper.
- Plain Chicken and Rice: Plain, cooked rice and chicken is generally easy on the stomach.
The Decked Halls: Decorations and Other Common Hazardous Holiday Items
Unfortunately, quite a few holiday decorations can be hazardous to pets. Keeping the items below and any other holiday décor out of your pet's reach will ensure their safety during this festive time of year!
- Holiday Greenery and Flowers: Poinsettias, Lilies, Holly, and Mistletoe, for example, are poisonous plants to both cats and dogs. If you plan to use these (or any other) holiday plants for decorating, be sure they are out of your pet's reach!
- Easily Breakable Low-Hanging Ornaments: Glass ornaments, for example, can shatter and be a hazard to pets' paws when they break. Some pets, especially puppies, might also be curious about the ornaments on your tree, so be careful where you hang them!
- Tinsel, Ribbons, and String: This is especially true for cats, who can't seem to resist string-like objects. However, if ingested, these can cause intestinal blockages, among other health issues. Avoid using these items as tree decorations, especially if you have cats! Ensure your wrapped gifts don't contain any of these hazardous items.
- Fireplaces, Firestarter logs, Candles, and Other Heating Devices: While these items provide a cozy, warm glow to your home, they should also be kept out of your pet's reach, as they can harm your pet.
- The Water Under Real Christmas Trees: These can contain harmful chemicals if your pet ingests them, so be sure to cover up the bottom of your tree and keep pets away!
Houseguests and Pet Wellness When Hosting Holiday Parties
While some pets couldn't be happier with all the excitement of a house full of guests, other pets can become easily stressed by this.
Make sure your pets have a safe and quiet place to go that's away from guests. For cats, you might consider the litter box area. However, moving your cat's litter box can cause your pet additional stress, so only do this if it's completely necessary and ensure it's in a quiet, easily accessed area away from houseguests.
- Houseguests: It's also essential to remember houseguests bring in things like purses or jackets that might contain harmful items. These items could be gum or medications that pets can quickly get ahold of, so keep all houseguests' items out of your pets' reach. Keep in mind guests are also coming in and out, which poses a risk of your pet running outside. Make sure your pets wear a collar with an ID tag, keep a close eye on them, or put them in a separate closed room when guests come and go.
- Rock Salt: Many people also put rock salt or other ice melt on their sidewalks before guests arrive. Even "pet-safe" rock salt can contain chemicals that can be harmful if swallowed. Be sure to wipe their paws off after being outside and sweep up any rock salt that gets tracked in your house quickly.
- Cleaning Supplies: Before and after your guests come and go, you'll likely be cleaning your house. Remember that cleaning supplies can also be hazardous to pets, so keep them away from ammonia, bleach, and chlorine.
- Other People's Pets: Ideally, houseguests should leave their pets at home to avoid the spread of diseases or conflicts between pets.
Holiday Travel Tips for Pets
If travel is involved during the holidays, you'll either need to take them with you, leave them with a pet sitter, or board them.
Cats especially do not travel well, and it's ideal to leave them at home and have someone care for them there.
Some dogs travel well, while others do not. If you know your dog does not like to travel and you need to take it with you, plan ahead to keep your dog as calm and comfortable as possible. Use aromatherapy to keep your pets calm and happy during travel or holiday gatherings at your home.
Be sure to plan ahead if you know you'll be traveling, as boarding facilities and pet sitters' schedules fill up quickly. This also gives time to interview and introduce a new pet sitter before heading out of town.
Follow these tips, and we know this holiday season with your pets will be Blissful!
