Holiday Hazards for Pets: What to Be Aware of

The holidays are in full swing, and soon Christmas and New Year’s festivities will commence. While this year may be more laid back than years past, there is still plenty of activity that can get your dog or cat in trouble. Be proactive about minimizing dangers and keeping your pet safe.

  • Chocolate and sweets: Dark chocolate and baking chocolate especially can be dangerous to dogs. You also want to avoid anything that contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener. Make sure food is stored out of your pet’s reach.
  • Fruit and nuts: If you’re serving these as appetizers, keep any grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, almonds, pistachios, or walnuts away from your dog. These foods can be potentially toxic and make them sick to their stomach.
  • Fat and bones: If you’re making a turkey, chicken, or ham this year, it can be tempting to slip your dog some of the fat trimmings or a bone. Fat can lead to pancreatitis, and bones can accidentally splinter or get caught in their throat or digestive tract.
  • Plants: While poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, lilies, and chrysanthemums may look beautiful on display, they can cause severe gastrointestinal issues for your dog or cat if they start munching on the flowers or leaves.
  • Decorations: Put any edible or breakable ornaments higher up on tree, and skip the sparkly tinsel. Tinsel can get tangled in your pet’s intestinal tract requiring surgery, and broken glass can be dangerous if eaten or stepped on. It is a good idea to secure the tree to a wall or other sturdy object to keep it from accidentally falling over.
  • Candles: Once again, they may look and smell nice, but if your pet gets too close, they could end up with singed whiskers or fur. Even worse, they could accidentally knock the candle over and set something on fire.
  • Gift wrap: While it’s not ideal for your pet to be munching on wrapping paper, it’s the ribbons, bows, stickers, and other adornments that can pose an issue. Much like tinsel, ribbons or twine can get tangled up and cause an obstruction.
  • Open doors: As people come and go, or kids run from inside to outside and back, an open door can be an invitation for your pet to slip out. You don’t want them to get lost or be stranded outdoors. Keep pets away from entrances and secure them in another room when you know there will be a bustle of activity.
  • Fireworks: Many people celebrate the New Year with fireworks, but these sudden and loud noises can spook your pet. Keep them in an interior room where they can’t get outside, and turn on some music or television as a distraction. Sitting close by can also help keep them calm.

If you know the holidays will be busy, whether you’re traveling or having people over, make sure you pet is safe and secure by boarding them at Lake Wylie Pet Resort. You won’t have to worry about where they are or what they’re getting into while your attention is diverted. Plan ahead and schedule your pet’s stay today!