Holiday Safety Tips

        Thanksgiving is fast approaching and it will be Christmas Day & New Year's & in no time!  We have some tips to help keep your pets safe & happy so everyone can enjoy the festivities!

*             Keep all hors d'oeuvres, candies/snacks, & all meal ingredients out of your pet's reach, and avoid the temptation to feed your pet table scraps.  Fatty holiday meats and rich side dishes can cause numerous gastrointestinal problems, while bones can cause bowel obstructions or choking & most often require surgical removal.  Also remember, NO CHOCOLATE FOR PETS!  All chocolate contains a chemical that is toxic to pets & the Baking chocolate is the MOST TOXIC of all types of chocolate!

*             Keep all candy sealed and out of the reach of all pets.  Make sure that used wrappers are thrown away & be sure that your pet isn’t able to dig them out of the trash.  Both the candy & candy wrappers are hazardous to your pet’s health - they can cause vomiting & again, chocolate can be very toxic! 

*            The best thing you can do for your pets if they begin feeling anxious by the holiday festivities is to act as you normally would.  If you begin over-reassuring them, or giving them an unusual amount of attention, you may inadvertently communicate to them that there is something to worry about, thereby heightening their anxiety.

*             Keep ALL your pets in a secure place in your home (either in a closed room or crate, or leashed to a stable object in a back room), as you will have lots of visitors, and be opening & closing the door frequently.  By doing this, you’ll reduce the chance of your pets escaping thru an open door AND reduce the anxiety of different people that may upset them.   If your pets are extremely nervous from frequent doorbell ringing, try asking visitors to “knock”, or have some music playing to keep the ringing doorbell from startling your pets! 

*             Have all pets wear collars / tags with your information just in case they do get out of the house, there’s a better chance your pet can be returned.  We also recommend that all pets have a HomeAgain microchip implanted for permanent identification if pets get out – all area vets & shelters as well as the Emergency Clinic have scanners & can notify you directly if your pet is found.

*            Place festive decorations & most holiday plants (which happen to be toxic if ingested) out of reach of all pets.  Avoid decorating with small or low-hanging items, or even large items with parts that may appeal to pets.  They love to nibble on things & plastic, glass, ribbon, tinsel, etc and ingestion of any of these items could cause pets to choke, or result in the need for surgery to remove them from their stomach/intestines.

*             Use caution when you walk your pet outside with holiday decorations.  Take a flashlight and scan the ground for any small objects, discarded food in garbage bags, dangling lights, etc.  If you don’t realize your pet has eaten anything, you won’t be able to tell a vet in the event that your pet becomes ill & needs medical attention.

*            If you dress your pet in clothes for the holidays/cool weather, make sure the clothing is roomy, reflective and fire-retardant & remember to ensure that your pet’s collar still fits snugly & securely (have your pet’s tags on the collar just in case they get away from you!).  Check all parts that secure the clothing to your pet & be sure they are not too tight (i.e. around legs/paws, the belly/chest & the neck).  Any part that is tied too tight can cause discomfort, cut off circulation or choke your pet.  

*      Antifreeze is extremely toxic to pets (even in minute quantities), so be wary if using this in your garage, driveway, etc.  Rinse all traces away if any is spilled, and be vigilant with any outdoor pets that may find it around the neighborhood!  This is a silent killer & unless you see your pet ingesting it & immediately begin treatment, by the time your pet is showing signs, there is often little that can be done.  Please ensure your pet doesn't have access to Antifreeze bottles, drips, spills, etc.  If you believe your pet may have been exposed to Antifreeze, seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY!
  
    An attentive and prepared owner makes a safe, happy & healthy pet.  In the event that your pet does have problems this holiday season or any time, call us, or the Veterinary Emergency Clinic at 407-644-4449!  Have a safe & Happy Holiday Season!