Avoiding Pet Emergencies Over the Holidays

The holidays can be a wonderful time of the year. Many people love to decorate their homes, both inside and outside, as well as bake wonderful treats, and spend extra time with family. 

Even better, you can enjoy this time with your beloved pets by your side. However, this can also be a dangerous time for them, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some tips to help you avoid any emergencies over the holiday season. 

You must be careful with your Christmas tree. Though your tree might be the centerpiece of your decorating, the truth is that they aren't always the best for your pets. 

Playful puppies and kittens have been known to knock over a perfectly decorated Christmas tree, simply because it is in the way! They can also get caught in the cord of lights, which may make them fall over, too. Some curious cats and dogs will bite the cord, which can lead to burns. 

The decorations themselves can be hard to keep your pets away from. Many cats are drawn to tinsel; you may notice your cat wants to eat it! This can cause an obstruction or perforation, which could lead to emergency surgery. They may also play with dangling ornaments, batting at them until they fall off and break. 

For this reason, you may want to put something around your tree to keep your beloved pets away from it completely! 

Many Christmas and holiday plants are toxic to pets. Many people love to give plants as gifts, which isn't always a good thing if you own pets. One of the most common include lilies, which are very toxic to cats. Even if they only eat a small amount, it can send your cat to the emergency room. 

Other plants to avoid would include mistletoe, balsam, pine, holly, and Christmas cacti. Poinsettia plants, while not toxic, can cause drooling and vomiting so you may want to avoid them also. 

Watch table scraps. Many people seem to eat from Thanksgiving to Christmas, going from party to party. They may also have parties in their home, where some guests may feed their pets without realizing the consequences of their actions. 

Some of the main foods to avoid include chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, certain nuts, and any foods that contain xylitol. Your pets should also stay away from alcohol and caffeinated drinks. 

Many people want to give their pets a treat over the holidays and may give them some trimming and side dishes. These dishes may contain more fat than your pet is used to, which can lead to some serious conditions such as pancreatitis. 

If you have a nervous dog and are having a party, you may want to keep him or her locked away from guests. Even the most calm dog and cat can become overwhelmed by a houseful of guests, so it is important that your pet has a way to get away from everyone! 

You may want to set up a space in the back for your pets to relax. Make it special by adding their bed for favorite blankets. You may want to give them a new toy or a chew bone that will occupy them while everything else is going on. Some even do better if you leave music on, so that they don't hear everything that is going on outside! 

The holidays can be a great time for everyone, including your pets. That being said, you need to use caution with your Christmas tree and the plants that you get to decorate with. Lillies are the worst for cats so they should be avoided at all costs! You also need to keep your pets away from all of the food that you may be eating over the holidays. A lot of it is too fatty for their taste and it could cause some problems. Some parties are also too much for pets, so you may want to set up an area for them to relax and avoid it all!

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Previously published on Medium and/or Newsbreak.