The holidays can be a joyous time for celebrating with family, but make sure that the four-legged members of your family stay safe and protected.
According to medvetforpets.com, here are some things to be aware of for your pets this holiday season.
Curious pets are often attracted to ornaments hanging from the Christmas tree. But the sharp metal and plastic edges of ornaments can be dangerous for pets that mistake them for toys. Small ornaments can also be choking hazards. Avoid placing ornaments on the lower branches of trees if your pet attempts to take them off to play with them.
Holiday plants and decorations can be harmful to pets. While poinsettias are widely thought to be toxic to dogs and cats, ingestion may cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and result in vomiting, but they are generally considered low in toxicity. Plants that are harmful to pets include amaryllis, azaleas, chrysanthemums, holly, ivy, juniper, lilies and mistletoe; care should be taken to keep them out of reach of pets.
If your pet chews on electrical cords it can result in serious injuries such as electrical shock and oral burns. If your pet seems interested in chewing electrical cords, take precautions to limit their exposure to holiday lights. For example, use electrical cord covers and cord organizers to make electrical cords less accessible and out of sight.
Pet costumes should allow pets to move freely, breathe easily and bark or meow. There should be no dangling parts for pets to tear off and swallow. If your pet doesn’t enjoy dressing up, it’s best to let them be themselves over the holidays.