Lights, decorations, good food…every year, as we celebrate the holidays, we fill our homes with seasonal cheer for ourselves and our families. However, what may seem beautiful and harmless to us may pose hidden dangers to our pets. Don't let an emergency spoil the festivities!

Below are some common holiday hazards for dogs and cats and how to prevent them.

Holiday hazard

How to keep your pet safe

Electric cords

Keep all electric cords securely taped down  or out of reach of your pet. Dogs and cats  may chew dangling wires and  be burned or electrocuted.

Ornaments

Hang ornaments out of reach of your pet.  Dogs, especially, may eat ornaments  or wire hangers, which can get caught  in the stomach and intestines.

Chocolate

Keep all holiday foods away from your pet.  Chocolate contains ingredients (e.g., caffeine)  that can be lethal to dogs and cats.

Tinsel, ribbon, and string

Make sure these are kept out of reach   and properly disposed of.  If swallowed,  any of these can require emergency surgery  to remove. Tinsel also has sharp edges  that can cut the mouth.

Lilies, other flowers, and houseplants

Prevent your pets from eating plants   or flower arrangements.  Lilies are very poisonous to cats.

Christmas tree

Put the tree in a pet-safe room or   monitor your pet when he or she is  around the tree. Dogs and cats  may eat the needles  (even from artificial trees)  or drink the water at the base of the tree,  which can be toxic (especially if it contains  preservatives).

 

In many cases, if your pet has eaten or drunk something toxic, warning signs will include gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Other signs may include tiredness and lack of appetite, especially in cats that have eaten lilies. If your pet shows any of these signs, or if you think he or she has eaten something dangerous but is not showing any signs yet, please call your vet right away. Treating your pet 

as soon as possible is essential!