Festive, Safe and Furry Fa-La-La-La-Las
Pet lifestyle expert & TV personality, Dara Foster, shares her top 10 tips for ensuring household critters have a happy, healthy holiday season
‘Tis the season for your four-legged pals to drool over the leftovers from your holiday cooking, nose around the Christmas tree, get a little extra tail-waggy around your decorative candles and end up overly-excited by all the guests and activities.
Unfortunately, although it may be adorable to deck-out Fido in reindeer antlers, it isn’t always comfortable or safe for pets to participate in the winter festivities in the same ways as their two-legged counterparts, says Dara Foster, founder of PupStyle.com and the pet lifestyle contributor for E!, ABC News and “The Today Show.”
Here, Foster presents her top 10 tips for ensuring your furry family members enjoy a healthy and jolly (but holly-free) holiday.
1. Avoid Tinsel and Glass Ornaments
Puppies and kittens love to bat and chew on low-hanging ornaments and shiny tinsel, which can also end up in a trip to the vet. Glass ornaments can easily break and lead to nasty cuts, while tinsel can be swallowed and cause potentially fatal choking. If you plan on decorating with either tinsel or glass ornaments, place them up high and quickly pick-up them up if they fall to the ground.
2. Tag ‘Em
With guests coming in and out of your home during the holidays, it’s easy for a dog (or inside cat) to slip out of an open door that someone forgot to shut. Make sure your pet is always wearing an ID tag or collar with a name and phone number printed on it. If you’re going out of town and someone is watching your pet, make a temporary ID tag that has your cell number on it so that if you your pet gets lost and somebody finds him, you can easily be located.
3. Beware! Mistletoe and Holly are Toxic
If you plan to do some smooching under the mistletoe, as well as beautify your digs with holly, make sure both plants stay way up high where pets can’t reach them. Mistletoe and holly can be moderately to severely toxic depending on the amount that is ingested.
4. Keep Candles Up High
Candles are a holiday décor favorite but can be extremely dangerous for your pet and home. Keep them up high and out of reach where a climbing cat or a wagging tail can’t bump into them and cause severe burns or start a house fire.
5Avoid Serving Table Scraps
Some human foods, such as onions and chocolate, can be hazardous to your pet’s health, causing mild digestive problems or even death. Instead, serve your pet a safe, healthy and nutritionally balanced five-star dinner from a premium food brand, many of which have seasonal holiday-themed offerings.
6. Just Say No to Bones
Never give your cat or dog bones from fish, poultry or other meat sources. Bones can easily cause an obstruction of the airways or splinter off and lead to lacerations in the digestive system. Instead, give your pet a toy filled with a snack to keep her entertained while you prepare the feast.
7. Take Out the Trash ASAP After Cooking
Garbage cans smell extra yummy to cats and dogs when loaded with dinner scraps. Be sure to take out your trash as soon as possible to ensure your pet doesn’t dive in when you’re not looking and start munching on dangerous turkey bones, onions, chocolate or other items that have been tainted by toxins.
8. Burn Off Some Steam
Before guests arrive, take your dog for a long walk or a romp outside to burn off some steam. Abundant exercise will make for a calmer canine in the house when the excitement of the holidays kicks in.
9. Create a Quiet Space
Parties and visitors can stress out your pet, resulting in anxiety and nervous behavior. Always prepare a quiet retreat for your pet in a bedroom or calm area where they can get away and relax. Provide water and toys as well as a familiar blanket, crate or bed.
10. Clean-up Christmas Tree Needles
Quite sharp and not easily digested, dry Christmas tree needles can puncture your pet’s stomach if swallowed. In addition, fir tree oils can cause excessive drooling, stomach upset and vomiting. The last thing you want on Christmas is an injured pet and expensive vet bills. Become best friends with your vacuum and use it to suck up fallen needles every day – it will keep your furry friend safe and your home looking tidy.
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