Holiday Safety:  
Top Ten Holiday Dangers for Pets: What You Should Know

 As we tire of fighting COVID-19 and go all out with holiday decorations this year, it is important to keep your pet's safety in mind.
Here is a list from the ASPCA of potential dangers that you should be aware of as you make your home festive.

It’s that time of year again: the time when everyone is decorating, cooking, and preparing to celebrate. But the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can make it easy to forget about potential pet dangers. So, whatever holiday you might be celebrating this year, you’ll want to keep the following harmful hazards in mind.  Here is the top 10 count-down:

#10-Beware of excess wires 

Keep wires, batteries, and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock, and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus.

#9-Provide a quiet place for your pets

While celebrating, it is easy to forget that loud noises and celebratory poppers or noisemakers can scare your pets. Try creating a safe place in your home where your pet can have some quiet space if needed.

#8- Keep an eye out for Salt 

Ice melt, homemade playdough, and salt-dough ornaments (even when dry) can all be a tempting salty treat for pets but can cause life-threatening imbalances in electrolytes.

#7-Monitor Medications 

If you’ll be having guests stay with you this year, be mindful of any medication they may bring. Houseguests who are unfamiliar with pets may not realize just how curious (and sneaky) they can be. Have your guests keep any medication in a closed cabinet instead of in a bag or suitcase. 

#6-Watch out for Candles

If you decide to give your home that extra holiday glow this year, be sure not to leave your pets unattended around lit candles. A long tail or a curious paw could knock over a lit candle and potentially start a fire or burn your pet.

#5-Control Holiday Treats

We recommend keeping your pets away from the table and keeping lids tightly secured on trashcans. Many of our holiday favorites can be harmful, including sweets, fatty and spicy foods, and alcohol. You also want to make sure not to give your pet any turkey or chicken bones. Check out our full list of pet-toxic foods to keep in mind when planning your holiday menu. (People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets | ASPCA)

#4-Move Snow Globes out of Reach

Some snow globes contain ethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance to all pets. If a snow globe is broken, the sweet smell can attract a pet to lick it up, leading to a potentially fatal intoxication. Keep these out of paws’ reach!

#3-Be Careful of What you Put Under the Tree

Wrapped presents can pose a threat to curious cats and dogs depending on their contents. Be sure to keep any wrapped food or treats up and away from your furry friends. Just because you can’t see the contents, doesn’t mean your pets can’t smell them.

#2-Avoid Pesky Plants

While most people fret over poinsettias making their pets sick around the holidays, the truth is that these festive red plants only cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation. However, there are a couple of other seasonal stems you should be wary of: Holly and mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems when ingested, and various lilies that are often found in holiday bouquets can cause kidney failure in cats.

#1-Manage O’ Christmas Tree

If you’re planning on putting up a tree this year, there are a couple of things you should know:

  • Make sure that your tree is tightly secured so that there’s no chance of it tipping or falling over and causing injury to your pet.

  • Keep the tree water covered and inaccessible. Tree water may contain fertilizer and other harmful chemicals—not to mention it can become a breeding ground for bacteria that could cause nausea, diarrhea, or stomach upset.  

  • Stay away from tinsel for decoration. Ingested tinsel can cause severe vomiting, obstructed digestive tract, dehydration, and could require surgery. 

2020 cat in tree