10 Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe During the Holidays

No pet parent wants their holiday ruined by a sick pet and a trip to the vet. But, did you know there are a lot of pet dangers that pop up around the holidays that can create a life-threatening situation if you’re not aware of them? To ensure you and your pet have a peaceful happy holiday take a look at these ways to keep your pet safe during the holidays!

1. Be Aware of Poisonous Plants

Several holiday plants are toxic to pets.

These include such common plants as poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, lilies, and other toxic plants.

For a stress-free holiday, keep plants away from your pets, and make sure you know the number of an after-hours vet, just in case.

2. Watch Open Doors

During the holidays, doors are opening and closing all the time.

Watch your pets and make sure they don’t slip out.

As always, one of the best ways to keep your pets safe is to ensure they always have their tags on and are microchipped.

3. Don’t Give Food Scraps

There are lots of foods that people can eat that pets never should, including turkey, alcohol, and chocolate.

The list of hazardous foods goes on and on.

To keep your holiday happy, stick with giving your pet their usual food and treats.

4. Watch Your Electrical Cords

If your pet likes to chew, watch the electrical cords going to your Christmas tree lights and other decorations.

You may want to tuck or tack the cords out of your pet’s reach.

If they chew on them, they could get a nasty shock!

5. Be Careful with Low Hanging Decorations

When decorating your tree, be careful what you hang low.

Your dog wouldn’t be the first to pluck an ornament from a tree, and your cat wouldn’t be original in deciding to eat tinsel.

If necessary, block your pet from the tree or the room the tree is in.

6. Be Careful with Chemicals

Antifreeze is highly toxic to pets.

All it takes is a teaspoon or two and your pet can be in a very life-threatening situation.

Keep your pet safe by using something like Prestone Low Tox antifreeze, which uses propylene glycol to make it safer for pets.

And if you need to use an ice melter, get a non-toxic one like Safe Paw that won’t irritate their paw pads.

7. Consider Anchoring the Christmas Tree

Whether you’ve got a dog or cat, you may want to anchor your Christmas tree to the wall or ceiling so they can’t knock it down.

The result would be a big mess and potential injuries.

8. Watch the Christmas Tree Water

It can be dangerous if your pet drinks Christmas tree water.

There can be tree fertilizer chemicals in the water, or if the water is old, it can be growing bacteria.

9. Keep Candles Out of the Way

Your cat may decide your scented candle really does smell good enough to eat.

Or your dog may not be aware of its own fluffiness and could catch its tail on fire.

Keep your pet safe, and put candles, lit or unlit, out of their reach

10. Don’t Bring Pets to the Party

If you’re having any kind of gathering, keep your pets out of the way.

They can easily get into trouble while you’re busy with the party or may feel crowded and stressed.

The last thing you want is your pet snapping at your little niece.

Keep everyone safe and happy by locking your pet out of the way.

How do you keep your pet safe during the holiday season?