










Making the Holidays
Pet Friendly


Decorations
Candles, ornaments, tinsel, ribbon, draidels, wrapping paper
Dangers: Burns (candles), choking, intestinal blockage, stomach infection, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, stomach pain, fever
Tips:
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It's best to brighten your house with something other than tinsel.
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Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!
Holiday Plants & Trees
Holly, Lilies , Mistletoe, Poinsettia & Christmas tree water/pine needles
Dangers:
Nausea, vomiting & diarrhea (holly),
gastrointestinal upset, cardiovascular problems, even death (mistletoe), kidney failure in cats (lilies), mouth irritation (poinsettia), gastric distress (pine needles)
Tips:
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Use artificial plants made from silk or plastic.
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Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet.
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Instead, give your dog a coconut husk, branches or a plastic bottle without a cap. These are free, non-toxic, and in abundant supply!
Food & drinks
Alcohol, bones, chocolate, fat trimmings, nuts (specifically almonds, walnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts), general overindulgence, water with preservatives or sap in Christmas tree stand
Dangers: Choking, obstruction, lacerations (bones), pancreatitis (fatty foods), to gastric and respiratory distress (water from preservatives/tree sap), to coma, seizures, and death (alcohol, chocolate)
*One Hershey's bar is poisonous to a chihuahua
Tips:
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Keep pets away from the table and unattended plates of food.
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Secure lids on garbage cans.
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Put unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them.
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Stick with chew toys or balls that are basically indestructable, can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digested.
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Remember, pets on leashes tend to get into less trouble.
Electrical Cords & Lights
Holiday lights & eletrical cords
Dangers: electrical shock, death, burns, difficulty breathing, abnormal heartbeat, loss of consciousness
Tips:
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Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach.
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Don't hang lights on lower branches or areas your pet can reach, they can receive a powerful electrical shock if they bite or chew on the cords.





To help calm anxious pets, try Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats! These natural pharamones can help calm animals when their in new situations, surounded by new people and scared of loud sounds.
The Secret to Happy
Dogs and Cats
New Years
Poppers & Fireworks
Dangers: Surgery, strings/confetti lodged in intestines, damage to ears
Tips:
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Make sure your pet is secured in a safe, non-escapable room during fireworks or use of confetti poppers.