Deck the halls with holiday trimming? As you get your home ready for all the holiday fun, remember to consider the safety issues for Rover and Snowball. Candles, trees, and other decorative items can be hazardous for your pet if the proper precautions aren't taken. Here are some tips to protect your pet and still be full of good cheer!
1. Pets As Gifts
It may be fun to watch Junior's face light up as he receives a furry little friend as a gift, however responsible pet giving involves adult commitment to the pet's overall health and well-being. Although it boosts a child's self-esteem to call a pet her own and she can certainly take on quite a bit of pet care, a pet is a living thing and a member of the family. Don't leave the responsibility solely up to the kids. Be repared to nurture the pet -- newt or Newfoundland -- with the best the household has to offer, independent of what the child is able or willing to do. If you are giving a pet to an adult friend, make sure that your friend has seriously considered all aspects of pet ownership before you surprise them with a new best friend. A pet care book makes a perfect stocking stuffer for those receiving pets as gifts.
2. Cancel The Chocolate!
No holiday chocolate for Max or Fluffy! For pets, chocolate is a tasty toxin, which causes serious health problems. It contains a compound called theobromine, which, like caffeine, is dangerous to dogs and cats when eaten in large quantities, says Mary Labato, D.V.M., clinical assistant professor at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, Massachusetts. Baking chocolate, with nearly nine times more theobromine than milk chocolate, is particularly dangerous, but either kind can cause problems, she warns. A toxic dose of theobromine for a 20-pound dog is about 1,000 milligrams -- the amount found in 28 ounces of baking chocolate. If you're not sure how much your pet already ate, call your vet immediately for advice.
3. Bows Are For Presents, Not Pets
A holiday bow around a pet's neck can at worst strangle an animal that catches it on a paw and at best embarrass her in front of her friends. Much preferred are snap-away collars, which detach under pressure greater than that exerted by a straining dog on a leash and are available in holiday colors at upscale pet stores. If you can't resist the idea of putting antlers on your Great Dane or a Santa hat on your guinea pig, do it quickly, take a snapshot for the holiday card, and take off the topper right away. Most such items aren't made for wear and tear, safety, or comfort.
4. Ensure Pet-Friendly Trimmings
Some cats will ignore the holiday tree; some will consider it Santa's gift to the indoor kitty. To find out which variety you have, bring in the tree a day before you decorate it. Should a feline approach it with malice aforethought, slip four or five pennies inside an empty soft drink can and toss the can close by the tree. The noise is likely to startle the cat, and she should get the message: Paws off. Leaning trees are tempting for pouncing cats. Be sure to tether the tree to a nearby window and hang the most valuable and/or breakable items near the top. Also, skip the tinsel. Instead, use any of the vinyl garlands and specialty lights now on the market. They'll brighten the tree, and you won't have to worry about your pet eating them and causing digestive problems or choking. Place fragile or chewable decorations well out of reach. And avoid arranging winter scenes on the coffee table or cards on the hearth.
5. Safety First, Before Decorating An Aquarium
Be festive, not flashy! Holiday lights on the outside of the aquarium are a nice, reasonable touch. But make sure they're all the way on the outside! Even small fish can splash water on the bulbs. This can cause bristling electricity and maybe give humans or fish an electric shock (which can kill the fish). And by no means use blinking lights, which will stress the fish and possibly give them ich (a condition that causes slimy spots on fish and can be fatal if untreated).
6. Make Sure Meal Time Comes Before Holiday Dinner
To avoid having your pet be tempted by the abundance of food during the holidays, feed your pet before the feasting begins. If your dog or cat is full, they won't be tempted to ask for more food. If the begging persists, it could reflect habits that are present in your home. If you feed your pet table scraps while you're eating, there's a surefire chance that you've encouraged your pet to beg. To combat begging, consistency is the key. If you are consistent about both the amount of pet food you give your pet and when you give it, you'll greatly lessen the chances that he'll beg or scavenge for food. Another tip is to feed your animal pet food, not people food! Holiday leftovers should not be a part of your pet's diet.
7. Cover Holiday Candle Flames
If candles are part of your holiday celebration, consider using holders that have glass domes, cups, or cylinders that cover the candle or flame. In households with indoor pets, these are far preferable to traditional tapers because they're harder to tip over and less likely to singe fur. And no matter what kind of display you choose, don't burn candles unless an adult is there to monitor the paws of curious pets.
8. Plan Ahead For Holiday Pet-Sitters
Won't be home for the holidays? Make sure you have the right pet-sitter for your pet! Look for a pet-sitter who really loves animals in general and yours in particular. One good way to find out is to mention that you're looking for someone responsible to help take care of your animals and wait to see whether you get a nibble before you mention that you're willing to pay. Have your pet-sitter come over a few times before you leave to practice feeding the pets in your presence. This gives you a chance to gauge the person's interest level (is she asking questions about which pets want what and how much?) and competency, and it also gives the sitter your endorsement in your pets' eyes.
9. Forewarn Holiday Vistors About Four Paws
When you invite someone to your home, make certain that person knows that your pet will be on the premises. Even people you've known for a long time may not remember that you have a dog or cat. So let them know that Murray is an indoor pooch! When you're expecting visitors for only an hour or an evening, go out of your way to accommodate those with allergies or those who don't appreciate pets as much as you do. If you have smaller pets, it's best to keep them out of reach from children who may not know how to handle them. And don't forget it's completely within bounds for you to insist that visitors refrain from squeezing or teasing your pet.
10. Don't Feed Fishy Too Much!
Even adults will compulsively feed fish at someone else's home. With children, it's almost a given. Plan a feeding for all to witness during the visit, and explain that the fish will meet an untimely death if they get a single additional food flake! If a public feeding won't fit into the schedule, hide the food wherever you keep your medicines and put a sign on the tank that says "Absolutely No Feeding."
11. Holiday Guests and Barking
If your pooch is inclined to bark at the sound of the doorbell, holiday dinner night will be a nightmare for you! Some dogs seem to think that the doorbell or a knock on the door is their signal to start barking, so condition your dog to look forward to the ringing of the bell or knocking of the door without the vocal hysterics. A common reason that a dog barks is he sees something that frightens or intimidates him, so be sure to expect your dog to be extra vocal on if he sees any unfamiliar guests.
12. Let The Parakeet Join The Party
Any cage can sustain a bow -- on the outside, where little rodent teeth won't nibble away at it. You also might try a festive pattern for your bird's nighttime cage cover-up, something in red and green for Christmas or in an African weave to commemorate Kwanza. Have a safe and happy holiday season!
Article courtesy of:Petsmart.com
