The holiday season is a great time to gather with friends and family. Don’t let a trip to the emergency vet ruin the festivities. Be sure to follow these tips from Heart + Paw veterinarian, Dr. Amber Karwacki on how to keep your pet safe during the holidays this year and check out her recommended pet presents that are sure to please your furry family members at the bottom of the list!

• Be Careful With Decorations

  Secure your Christmas tree to ensure it won’t fall over if your pet tries to climb it or bumps into it. Make sure your pet does not drink from the water base of the Christmas tree as it may contain harmful bacteria or chemicals. Be mindful that ornaments and tinsel can cause serious health issues if swallowed by our furry friends. Watch that your pet is not chewing on the electrical cords. While the cords are not strong enough to electrocute your pet, they can give your pet a thermal burn in their mouth.

• Be Prepared If Traveling

  If you are traveling with a pet this holiday season, make sure your furry family member is wearing a tag with up to date information like phone numbers and address, and that their microchip information is current. Be mindful if your pet does not travel well. Consider boarding them if this is the case instead of putting them through the stress of traveling. Discuss in advance with your veterinarian about getting prescription medication for anxiety and car sickness if your pet needs these medications. Waiting until the day before travel might mean your pet has to go without their medication. Make sure that where you are traveling to is pet friendly and your pet will have an area set up for them.

• Keep Pets Far From Plants

  During the holiday season we love to decorate our homes with festive plants, but some of these like mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias are toxic if ingested by pets. Keep these plants out of reach or consider getting silk flowers if your pet likes to chew on plants. If you think that your pet might have gotten ahold of one of these plants, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately.

• Put The Trash Away

  Make sure to properly dispose of bows, ribbons, and other packaging after unwrapping gifts as they can be a hazard. Also, any leftovers such as carcass, bones, string, as well as all other trash could be dangerous if eaten by your pet. Always make sure that the counters are free of trash and food that is not being watched, and that any trash has been disposed of properly in a trash bag that is not accessible to pets.

• Recommended Treats + Toys

   

  • KONG and Nylabone toys for dogs that love to chew!
  • Food puzzle toys by Outward Hound
  • Treat ball toys for dogs
  • Tower of Tracks cat toy by Petstages
  • Cat tunnel toys
  • Indoor Hunting Cat Feeder by Doc & Phoebe’s Cat Co.

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