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Festive lights, fragile ornaments, and sweet treats all play a big role in many of our holiday celebrations. While these holiday staples may spread joy, they can also lead to something not so merry for your pets– an emergency trip to the veterinarian.
Before you deck the halls in your home, check out these tips from Santa Barbara Humane for keeping pets safe during this holiday season.
Be careful with seasonal plants. Poinsettias, holly, ivy, plus mistletoe make lovely holiday
decorations, but they are usually toxic if your pet ingests them. So , either keep your festive vegetation outside or place them somewhere in your house that your own pet cannot get to all of them.
Pet-proof your Christmas tree. Christmas trees and the decorations hung upon them can be quite alluring with regard to pets in your home. Anchoring your own tree can stop it through tipping in case your curious cat decides in order to climb it. To prevent your ornaments from being batted, chewed on, or even broken, hang them away of reach on the tree’s upper limbs.
Be wary along with wires. If your pet likes to chew, be mindful of how you power your holiday lights. A wire can deliver a good electrical shock if destroyed, and a chewed-on battery could leak and cause burns in order to your pet’s mouth and esophagus.
Skip the tinsel. Shiny tinsel may look like a toy to your cat or dog. But tinsel is surprisingly strong and does not break down well in the digestive tract, so it may become stuck in your pet’s stomach or intestine if ingested. It may be best to skip this decoration if you have a pet in the particular household.
Keep holiday sweets out of reach. Holiday treats may be tempting for everyone — including our own pets. Unfortunately, chocolate, grapes, raisins, currants, and the artificial sweetener xylitol can all trigger serious health issues in cats plus dogs, so it’s best to keep vacation sweets away from your pet’s reach.
As the 501(c)(3) non-profit, Santa Barbara Humane will be the oldest animal welfare agency within Santa Barbara County, serving the community for over 135 years. The organization’s two campuses in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria provide low-cost veterinary care, affordable dog training,
adoption, and socially-conscious sheltering for local animals, whether they are with a loving family or at the shelter waiting regarding a home associated with their own. Because Santa claus Barbara Gentle does not receive any federal funding, this relies on donor support to help thousands of animals plus families each year in Santa Barbara County.
