Protecting Your Furry Soulmates During The Holidays

They are our soulmates in fur pajamas (or feathers, or scales, or…you get the picture!) so make sure they are protected during holiday festivities.

For pet lovers, the holidays aren’t complete without our furry friends joining in our festive fun. While we celebrate, we should ensure the safety of our pets is top of mind because what may seem safe to us might actually be harmful to them. Here are useful tips to follow this season to keep them healthy and happy.

‘Tis the Season for Decoration Drama

You’ve seen the TikTok fails of what happens when Cat Meets Christmas Tree… and it is not pretty. Keep your trees, lights or other large ornamental pieces securely anchored so they don’t tip and fall or break. Not only will this protect your prized ornaments but it will prevent all that weight from falling onto your pet.

Also ensure that water in the reservoir stand is out of reach from curious and thirsty pets, as fertilizer or other additives can cause digestive distress. Holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias can also cause gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular problems. Best bet? Stick with artificial plants, and keep tinsel out of the picture as well.

For feathery friends, avoid the urge to cosplay a Partridge in a Pear tree as birds may ingest small ornaments or other bits of harmful greenery. Birds, as well as other animals, are very sensitive to strong fragrances so avoid spraying fragrances or putting scented candles nearby.

Speaking of candles, it’s probably best to keep them out of your holiday décor. Yes, they are beautiful and cast a lovely seasonal glow, but they can be easily knocked over – or light up a tail! – in the midst of holiday excitement. Best to stick with battery candles instead.

Sweets and Treats

These are our beastly besties we’re talking about here and, naturally, they will be getting lots of treats during the holidays. For dogs, stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible. Kongs stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible are always a good way to keep your Very Good Doggie occupied. Watching your kitty play with a bit of ribbon or yarn is super cute, but if swallowed it can lead to expensive surgery to remove from a cat’s intestines. Try a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy, or an interactive toy instead.

Feasts for the Beasts

Libations are a natural part of the season for many but it’s important to keep alcoholic drinks out of reach for pets. If ingested, your pet might get weak, ill, or go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure. Keep human foods away from pets as well, especially chocolate or anything sweetened with xylitol. Also harmful: fatty or spicy food, garlic, onions, and bones are not to be given to animals. Best to keep food and drinks out of reach and secure the lids on garbage and recycling cans, and be sure to discourage guests (especially the kiddos) from feeding pets from holiday plates.

Jingle and Mingle

When hosting holiday parties, be conscious of your pet’s needs and your guests’ needs (especially those who are uncomfortable around animals). For example, make sure your pet has a quiet space to retreat to when they feel shy or overwhelmed. Check on them occasionally and be sure there is plenty of fresh water and a place to snuggle safely until things have quieted down. For a New Year’s party with confetti, fireworks, or noisemakers, keep in mind that strings of thrown décor can get lodged in intestines, while noise from poppers or fireworks can scare pets and/or damage sensitive ears. Adding calming snacks, weighted blankets, or anti-anxiety medication can help for animals that need a little extra care during festivities.

Pawsitively Clean & Hygienic

We love our furry little friends, but sometimes we don’t notice the distinctive smells they create. To a guest’s nose, it won’t take much to alert them that an animal lives there too. Good hygiene habits are perfect for practicing pet safety year-round and keeping your home ready for guests. Be sure to remove pet hair that can trigger allergies, keep cages and litter boxes fresh, and have towels and cleanser handy for any slobbery kisses that get shared.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Remember, as the season moves more into winter, no one wants their pet to furreeze. Not all pets are suited for the winter weather, so check with your vet at what temperature your pet might need a sweater, and remember to take it off inside to avoid overheating. For dogs, especially, take extra good care of their paws; try winter booties, wipe their paws after walks, and try to avoid stepping in salt or ice melt on walks. Be sure to rinse their paws as soon as possible to prevent harmful chemicals from being ingested or absorbed through the skin or paw pads. (FYI – sand is much more animal-friendly than chemical melts!)

Be wary of areas where your pet might be seeking warmth as open heat sources can pose serious burn risks. Most importantly, if you live in an area prone to power outages during storms or freezing temperatures, be sure you keep medications, food, clean water, and toys handy in case you need to evacuate or bunker down.

The holidays are a special time to make memories both for yourself and your beloved pet. Following these simple tips will ensure your animals stay safe into the New Year and beyond!