Keeping Your Pets Safe During the Holidays

The holiday season can be a wonderful time for both you and your pet. However, it is important to be aware of the risks to your pet during this season. Common holiday decorations can pose a threat to your pet. Our team here at Trilby Animal Hospital in Toledo can help you identify holiday risk, and what to do if anything happens to your animal.

Holiday Decorations Can Be Dangerous for Pets

Ornaments are another common cause of danger to your pets during the holidays. Low hanging ornaments can pose as choking hazards to your pets. They can also break, leaving behind shards that can hurt your pet. Make sure to buy durable ornaments and do not place them at a level where your pet can mess with them.

Any decorations that use electricity and wires could shock your pet if he or she chews on the wires. If a pet ingests tinsel, it can cause a lot of digestive issues and blockage.

Decorations are something that a pet usually never gets used to. It is very easy for any pet to knock over or mess with holiday decorations around the home. Make sure any heavy decorations do not have the possibility of tipping over. As a safeguard for holiday trees, you can tie fishing wire to the base of the tree and attach it to a screw on a neighboring wall. This ensures that there is no way for your pet to knock it over. Before bringing a live tree home, it is important to check whether your pet is allergic to it.

Certain plants, including amaryllis, poinsettias, balsam, cedar, holly, and even mistletoe can make your pet severely ill if ingested. Potpourri is also something that can pose as a poisonous threat to your animal.

Make Sure to Keep an Eye on Those Holiday Gifts

As with any other holiday sweets and chocolates are more frequently around the house which can be harmful to your dog. Baked goods may contain sweeteners that are dangerous to pets. It is important to keep any sweets away from your pet to ensure his or her safety.

People use candles more frequently during the winter season, especially during the holidays. Though candles are a pleasant addition to the atmosphere, it is important to make sure your pet does not knock it over or get too close. Some pets will try to smell the lit candle and can potentially singe their whiskers in the process.

Contact Us for Help

If your pet experiences any issues during the holidays, know that our team is here to help. We at Trilby Animal Hospital are committed to providing our patients with quality veterinary care. Contact us today to see how we can help you and your pet during this holiday season.