Holiday Food

Bottom line is not to give your pets any holiday foods meant for humans. Many foods that are treats for us can cause serious health issues for pets. Danger ingredients include chocolate, zylitol, turkey and turkey skin, yeast dough, and grapes or raisins. This is only a partial listing. So, to be safe, stick with only pet food and pet treat products.

Decorations

Decorations help us get into the holiday spirit and fill us with wonder, but for pets they can be dangerous. Below are some precautions that can be taken to keep your home safe while decorating:

Tree

• Attach to the wall or ceiling with fishing line to avoid pet caused tip-overs
• Avoid additives like sugar or asprin in the water of fresh christmas trees
• Make sure pet accessible ornaments are not dangerous (glass, salt dough based, etc.)
• Keep an eye on pets to assure they are not ingesting ornaments, tinsel or other decor

Lights

• Keep electrical cords away from pets, especially if they are teething or are prone to chewing
• Never leave a lit candle unattended with your pet

Scented Items

• Keep all scented candles, essential oils, wax melts and potpourris away from pets. The natural and artifical ingredients used to create your favorite scents can be a big danger to pets

Social Gatherings

If you are hosting a Christmas gathering, make sure you:

• Provide a quiet, comfortable place for your pet to retreat if they get overwhelmed
• Inform guests about your pets in case they have allergies or other pet concerns
• Watch the exits to make sure that you won't have a pet sneaking outside
• Make sure your pets are microchipped in case they do go missing during the holidays
• Following your gathering, take out the trash and remove all food and drink from the reach of pets

Holiday Travel

If you are leaving your pet behind:

• Choose a reputible boarder or pet sitter
• Familiarize them with your pets before leaving
• Make sure your pets are current on all vaccines

If you are taking your pet along:

• Know the laws and restrictions if traveling out of the country or even out of state
• When traveling by car, make sure your pet is properly restrained at all times
• Speak with your vet before traveling by air with your pet. Air travel can be risky for some breeds, especially short snouted dogs.
• Don't forget to pack for you pet, too!  Be sure to include food, treats, medications, and pet medical records in case you need to visit a vet while away.