7 Ways to Make the Holidays Safer for Pets: Holiday Pet Safety Crash Course

​Nothing can spoil holiday cheer like an emergency visit to a veterinary clinic. These seven tips can help prevent a holiday disaster with your pets.

7 Ways to Make The Holidays Safer for Pets

1. Keep people food out of the reach of your pet, and ask your guests to do the same.

2. Make sure your pet doesn't have any access to treats, especially those containing chocolate, xylitol, grapes/raisins, onions or other toxic foods.

3. Don't leave your pet alone in the room with lit candles, a decorated tree or potpourri.

4. Keep holiday plants (especially holly, mistletoe and lillies) out of reach of pets.

5. Consider leaving the tinsel off your tree if you have a cat.

6. Secure your Christmas tree to keep it from falling over if your dog bumps it or your cat climbs it. Hanging lemon-scented car air fresheners in the tree may deter your cat from climbing it.

7. Provide a safe place for your pet to escape the excitement (such as a kennel, crate, perching place, scratching post shelf or hiding place) if you’re entertaining guests. If your pet is excitable or scared, consider putting your pet in another room with some toys and a comfortable bed.

Plan in advance

Make sure you know how to get to your 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic before there's an emergency. Talk with your veterinarian in advance to find out where you would need to take your pet, and plan your travel route so you're not trying to find your way when stressed. Always keep these numbers posted in an easy-to-find location in case of emergencies:

• Your veterinarian's clinic phone number

• 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic

• ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: 1-888-426-4435 (A fee may apply.)

If you’re a client of ours at River Landings Animal Clinic, additional numbers to make note of are:

• Animal ER - (941) 355-2884

• Vet Care Express Animal Ambulance - (941) 592-5131

• 24/7 Pet Poison Control Center - (855) 764-7661

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Preparing Your Pet for the 4th of July + Fireworks

It’s almost July and you know what that means: barbeques, open doors, fireworks, and scared pets. This time of year can be especially frightening for our furry friends. In our experience, July 4th is the busiest holiday for lost pets in the whole year. Here are some ways that you can prepare your pets and keep them safe and calm before and during the celebrations:

• Take your dog out for plenty of exercise during the day before the festivities begin

• Keep pets indoors. They may feel safer if they are placed in a smaller interior room with a radio/tv playing.

• Close your windows. Dogs in particular can try and get out of the house by pushing out the screen. Dogs have been known to bolt through screen doors, so keep your inside door closed.

• Check your fence line for loose boards or openings that your dog could slip through or dig out of. We suggest you even keep a leash on your dog and walk them in the fenced yard during peak fireworks times. Never leave your pet unattended, even in a secure yard.

• Have current, clear photos of your pets on hand. If they do go missing, you will want to be able to quickly create flyers to distribute in your neighborhood.

• Make sure all your pets' microchips are registered and your contact information is up-to-date in your pet's microchip account, and that they are wearing visible ID such as collars and tags that display their name and microchip number clearly.

• If you have outdoor cats, make sure they are inside before nightfall during this season.

• Provide a safe space for pets to retreat such as a closed room with their favorite toys, blankets, pillows, and plenty of water.

REMEMBER: if your pet gets scared by the fireworks and escapes from your property, don’t panic! They are generally running away to find a hiding spot away from the loud noises and flashing lights. Do not chase or whistle for the animal, as it may make them more distressed. Alert local authorities, animal shelters, and put in a Lost Pet Report with your local Facebook and Neighborhood groups.

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Related Categories:

dog health

cat health

Halloween Safety for Pets

Keep your pet happy and healthy and out of harm's way this Halloween with these 5 tips!

Keep candies and candy wrappers away from pets.

Chocolate is dangerous and sometimes fatal for cats and dogs if consumed. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and subsequent loss of coordination and seizures. Don’t forget that the wrappers treats are contained in can be harmful or a choking hazard for your pet.

Keep pets confined indoors and away from the door.

Halloween is the prime holiday for vicious pranksters to take advantage of animals left outdoors. Avoid any harm done to your pet by keeping them indoors. Black cats especially fall victim to unjust mistreatment during the month of October.

Your door will also be frequently opening and closing, revealing strangers in unfamiliar attire. This may frighten or upset your pet, especially dogs, who become territorial. Secure your pet in a room away from the noise and activity of the night.

Keep pumpkin gourds and autumnal decor out of reach.

Although nontoxic, pumpkin in large quantities can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Lit pumpkins around your pets is also dangerous, as well as decor which they can chew on an ingest. This goes for your furry friend gnawing on electrical cords to lights, causing a life-threatening electrical shock.

Don’t dress your pet up in a costume unless you know they love it.

Check for their ability to move freely and do not constrict their ability to breathe or make noise. Also note any allergic reactions or odd behaviors prior to the day by trying the outfit on beforehand.

Identification preparation.

Be sure your pet either has a tag or is microchipped prior to the festivities should they find a way of escaping, be it due to all the activity or parties. Read up on the safe practices of microchipping your pet.

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Related articles:

• Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs

• Howl-o-Ween Treats
  

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Related: We have more information under our dog health + cat health category.