Holiday Pet Safety Tips

 The holidays are here and as you get ready, it is important to keep your pet’s eating and exercise habits as similar to their usual routine as possible. Also, here are some holiday hazards to avoid:
Christmas Trees: Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.
Avoid Mistletoe and Holly: Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested.
Tinsel: Kitties especially love this sparkly “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But swallowing, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract. Avoid tinsel with pets.
Candles: Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candleholders, placed on a stable surface.
Wires and Ornaments: Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach.
Candies: Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.
Food Leftovers: Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends.
Alcohol: If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them.
Selecting Safe Treats: Want to stuff your pet’s stockings? For dogs, stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer.
House Rules: If your guests would like to give your pets extra attention while visiting, ask them to feel free to start a calm petting session.
Hide Medications: Make sure all of your and guest medications are behind closed doors and stored away.
Private Space: Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—with fresh water and a snuggle spot. Shy pups/cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture or in their carrying case.
New Year’s Noise: Similar to 4th of July, partying, fireworks and late night activity can startle many pets.
Doggy Duty US is licensed, bonded and insured.  For more information, please call 661-418-7595 and visit online at www.doggyduty.us.