At Home

Create a safe place for your pets

With guests and coming and going and your increased activity preparing for parties and buying presents, it would be easy for your dog or cat to slip out the door without immediately noticing. Guests and party noises can stress out even calm pets. Give them a place where they feel safe where they can go get away from it all. Make sure it is a comfortable familiar place, away from the party. Give your pet his favorite toy or chewie, or just let him nap.

Maintain regular routines

Exercise

Pets are creatures of habit. As our schedules and environments change during the holidays, pets may become confused and stressed out. Minimizing stress for your animal means being aware of his daily routine and expectations. By keeping your regular schedule, even if playtime and walks are shorter, you help reduce stress in your pet and also prevent them from gaining holiday weight. It also gives you time to re-connect so that he knows even if things are a little crazy right now, you are still family.

Feeding

It's tempting to share the goodies and lavish dinners with your pets but the rich and fatty foods can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, or even worse, a life threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Chocolate candy or baking ingredients, even in small amounts, can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Larger amounts can cause abnormal heart rhythms, nervous system malfunctions, and even death. Feeding people food to your pets can also contribute to weight gain. If you feel you must treat your pet, make sure to have a supply of his favorite treats so he can have something special, too.

Ask your guests to help

Remind guest not to leave their plates or glasses where your pet can reach it. Alcoholic beverages are especially dangerous: an ounce of alcoholic beverage can put a small dog into a coma. If a guest sees your animal eating what he shouldn't, allow them to tell your pet "no" and get you right away.

Decorate safely

It may sound like a good idea to trim your tree with edible decorations like popcorn, but this is actually dangerous to pets! These kinds of decorations can cause upset stomachs, or worse, if they ingest the string. Plants to be aware of are poinsettia, which can cause drooling, oral pain, and vomiting; and mistletoe which causes vomiting, labored breathing, shock, and death from cardiovascular collapse. If your pet eats the needles from a real or fake tree, they can get intestinal blockage.

Christmas trees are tempting to pets. Secure large trees to the wall to prevent tipping, or consider a smaller tree that can fit on a tabletop. Fasten all your tree decorations securely, with the more fragile ones towards the top. Avoid tinsel, which is attractive to cats, but can cause intestinal blockage if ingested. Make sure that cords are covered or tucked out of reach; more cords mean more to chew on, and this can lead to electrocution. Display candles on high shelves so your pet does not get singed or burned.

Dressing up

Unless you know your pet loves it, refrain from dressing him up like Santa or a Reindeer. Costumes can restrict movement or get caught and harm your pet. Buy them a holiday collar and leash instead or a beautiful holiday blanket.

Cleaning up

Secure your garbage in bins with tight lids, especially if you have thrown away any food. Tin foil with food remnants looks like a treat to dogs; they can chew up holiday throwaways, which can result in intestinal perforation and/or obstruction.

Gifts that come in the mail are always a nice surprise, but if any of them contain food, your pet will know before you open it. Dogs have been known to tear into packages when they smell food. Even if it is not food, curious pets may tear into the package to see what's inside.

Presents

Return paper and other gift wrapping materials to their storage places after gift wrapping is finished. Put away children's toys after they are opened. Ingested toys can cause choking and intestinal blockage, and must usually be removed through surgery.

Outside

If your pet isn't used to the cold, don't make him stay outside longer than necessary. If your cat spends most of his time outside, bring him in the house. Watch your dog for signs that he is ready to go back in the house. Animals are susceptible to frostbite in which skin may turn reddish, white, or gray and it may be scaly or sloughing.

Keep your dog on a leash during walks. If he runs off, the snow covers familiar sights and scents and he'll have a hard time finding his way home. Ice, salt, and mud can cause irritation to foot pads, or make your pet sick if ingested, so be sure to thoroughly wipe off his paws and belly when you come inside.

Beware of antifreeze year-long but more so during the winter, when it is used more often. Clean up any spills immediately and keep it safely out of your pet's reach.

If you have an outside pet bring him inside when it is cold. If your pet must remain outside, make sure he has an appropriate shelter that will keep him from getting cold. Check food and water often; the water may freeze and the food can turn moldy.

Travelling

If you want to take your pet with you when visiting friends and relatives during the holidays, be sure to contact them in advance to find out if your pet is welcome. The safest way to transport pets is to have them ride in a crate in the car. Give them their favorite toys or treats to occupy the time. Stop for breaks every hour or two to stretch their legs and potty. When you do get out of the car, keep him on a leash, even if you don't normally do so. It is easy to get lost in an unfamiliar area if he runs off.

Make sure all vaccines and health issues are up-to-date. Bring an extra couple days worth of any medicine in case you are delayed. Keep a collar and tag on your pet. Write your phone number on the collar with a permanent marker, in case the tag falls off. It's a good idea to include your number and the number of where you will be staying. Microchips are great because you don't have to worry about them being lost.

If you are not taking your pet with you, you need to decide if you want to put him in a kennel or hire a sitter. This site can help your decision: www.canismajor.com/dog/choseken.html.

As Gifts

Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah are not appropriate times for introducing an animal to his new home. The pet will be thrown into a hectic situation; there is usually too much activity for an animal to feel comfortable in his new home. With all the excitement of the holidays, people tend to forget that there is a ten to twenty-year commitment involved in caring for a companion animal. Before obtaining a pet, the entire family should be consulted. All adults living in the household should meet and spend time with the new pet before adopting a companion dog or cat.