The holiday season is upon us, and we bet you can’t wait to start making special memories with your loved ones. However, before you start decorating, digging into festive foods, and having fun, it’s important to take a little time to think about the potential hazards that the holidays pose for our animals. Many things that we associate with Christmas may seem harmless to us but could be dangerous to our adored animals.

Here are some of the holiday pet hazards that you should be cautious of this Christmas.

Secure Your Christmas Tree

A great Christmas tree is often the centerpiece of the home during the holidays, but it can also be a risk to the health and wellbeing of your pet. Firstly, if you have a real tree then you should be sure to keep your pet from drinking the stagnant water it’s standing in. This is because it contains bacteria that could make your pet sick. Secondly, it’s not unheard of for trees to topple over, especially when curious pets get too close – so make sure that yours is secure.

Hide the Holly and Mistletoe

Mistletoe and holly are two of the most popular plants of the season, but while they look fantastically festive, they are also toxic if your pet tries to eat them. Animals who eat mistletoe and holly can develop vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and cardiovascular problems. Opt for fake foliage or keep the real stuff out of reach.

Dangerous Decorations

Many other types of festive decorations are dangerous for our pets too. These include tinsel and other garlands, small bells, hanging baubles, and other tree ornaments (especially if they are made from glass), plus the pins used to secure ceiling and wall decorations. Pay special attention to what you are using, keep choking hazards well out of the way and anything that pets could become tangled in out of reach.

Swap Real Candles for Artificial Ones

Any sort of open flame is a potential hazard, especially when you have curious pets roaming around. Not only could they accidentally burn themselves, but they could also knock over a candle and put your home and human family at risk too. Make sure that open fires are properly protected with a guard, and opt for artificial candles over real ones wherever possible.

Festive Foods Aren't Always Fun

It can often be tempting to share our favorite foods with our pets, but there are many that are toxic for them, such as chocolate and raisins. Try to avoid giving your pet any food containing alcohol or nuts, or any sweet treats that may contain xylitol. Anything containing onion is considered bad news for animals, and the same can be said for garlic. Make sure that food and drinks are not left unattended around your pets, and you secure lids on any garbage cans to keep curious pets, and wildlife, out.

Mind Your Medication

With lots of people coming and going, it can be hard to keep your house as organized as usual. Nevertheless, it is important to make sure that any medication is safely stored away from your pets. Human medications and even those designed for your pet can be dangerous if your furry friend gets hold of them since they won’t take the right dosage and may gobble the lot. Keep all drugs locked behind secure doors and ask any guests to keep any medication zipped away securely in their bags and keep these out of reach of your pet.

For more holiday hazards for pets and tips to overcome them, please contact our experienced veterinary team at Highland Veterinary Clinic in Evansville, Indiana at 812-710-4300 today.