Whether it’s a Winter Solstice celebration, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Year’s Eve, consider creating a checklist for your animal friend. Look for ways to include him while ensuring his safety and well-being.
Consider your animal’s personality, activities, and the number of guests expected. Does he thrive on visitors, enjoy children and other animals, or would he prefer observing? Are there times he might like to be included and played with or will he need a quiet room or space of his own?
Animal Intuitive Darcy Pariso
Ask family members or a trusted friend to supervise your animal friends during food preparation and greeting guests. Explain how they can help create a positive experience. Communicate signs that indicate your pet is feeling overwhelmed or distressed that are unique to him, then share how to de-escalate a situation, if necessary. Accidents and stress decrease dramatically with a well-crafted plan.
Make your list sooner than later, post it, enlist help, check that each job is understood, then review it with your “support team” prior to the celebration.
General Safety Tips:
1. Secure your animals in a safe, escape-proof area during a party, fireworks, storms or anything that may frighten them. Consider purchasing Bach Flowers Rescue Remedy or CBD hemp oil for anxiety or fears.
2. Check your animal’s collar. Is his pet tag secure with current contact information? Is his microchip up-to-date? Many lost pets do have microchips, but sadly they were never recorded.
3. Traveling – Take your animal’s bed or blanket to help them feel comfortable.
4. Put any medications away and ask guests to keep theirs packed away.
5. Alcohol – Be sure to place unattended alcoholic drinks where pets can’t get to them. If ingested, they may become very sick, or even go into a coma or respiratory failure. Dogs are attracted to eggnog and sweet drinks.
6. Be mindful of your pet’s feelings. Provide a quiet place to escape, especially if there are young children present. Show children how to play with them.
7. Keep their exercise schedule as much as possible.
8. Puppy or kitten proof an area for new pets and provide supplies they might need.
Food:
1. Have a designated spot away from the table for pets during meals to prevent them from getting into foods they shouldn’t, and secure the lids on garbage cans.
2. Leave the leftovers: Avoid spicy and many human foods, as well as bones from fish, meat, or poultry. Some bones become brittle and splinter into sharp needle-like pieces when chewed. Cooked or uncooked pieces can get lodged in the intestines or stomach and perforate the bowel leading to surgical removal or even death.
3. Avoid fatty foods which can cause pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis is very painful and requires intensive care of their intestinal system.
4. Dark chocolate has more theobromine than regular chocolate and is poisonous to dogs and cats.
5. Bittersweet and baking chocolate have higher health risks than an average candy bar and are more common during the holidays.
6. Avoid anything sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol is in peanut butter, sugar-free candy, breath mints, chewing gum, cereals, jellies/jams, baked goods, sugar-free pudding/jello, vitamins, mouthwash, toothpaste.
7. Beware of macadamia nuts, which affect the nervous system, digestive systems and muscles of animals. Grapes and raisins damage the kidneys.
Plants, Holiday Specific:
1. Lilies are toxic to cats and even brushing past one flower can leave pollen on their coat. These toxins are ingested during grooming and can cause kidney failure. Be careful with all floral arrangements and plants around cats.
2. Poinsettias are toxic to dogs and cats. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems. Holly, when ingested, can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
3. Pine needles are toxic to pets and can irritate the skin of those with allergies. Needles will puncture organs if eaten. Water your Christmas tree often to eliminate dry fallen needles.
4. Anchor your tree to prevent it from falling on your pets. Ferrets and cats like to climb. Spilled water may contain fertilizers and cause stomach upset.
5. Discard ribbons and bows including anything attached to your animal’s collar to prevent possible choking. They can also twist around animal’s intestines causing life-threatening problems
6. Check twinkling holiday lights for signs of chewing or fraying. Electrical shock can occur if plugged-in. Help prevent accidents by using a grounded three-prong extension cord.
7. Keep lit candles up high and be sure to extinguish them. Hot wax can burn paws.
8. Check electrical cords for chewing. Electrical shock can cause death and tongue lacerations.
9. Stick with chew toys such as Kong’s. Stuff them with healthy foods or find chew treats that are easily digested. Give kitty a catnip toy or ball she can’t swallow.
10. Beware of cleaning products, perfumes, after-shave, potpourri, glue and batteries.
11. It’s best to keep animals in a room away from the tree when you are out or go to bed.
With a little preparation, you can look forward to creating happy memories, for all, for years to come.
If you suspect an accidental poisoning, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center National Hotline immediately: 888-426-4435.
For more information:
Canine Journal
Pet Education.com
Pet Health Network
