Bright lights, sparkly tinsel, and new friends! The holiday season is finally here. Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy or kitten or this is your pet’s first time experiencing the holidays, it’s important to prepare your furry friend for all the new things! To help you prepare, Gina and Shelley are going to touch on some helpful tips for you and your pets in the latest episode of The Pet Care Pro Show.

Christmas Pet Safety

One of the best things about the holidays is decorating your home with festive décor. Pet owners everywhere search for the best holiday pet safety tips and it usually revolves around decorating their house. When it comes to pet-proofing your décor, we recommend a few things.

• Avoid placing food-based ornaments and priceless ornaments at the bottom. That will help from them ingesting or destroying something personal.
• Keep your lights out of reach from your pets. Hide the cord as best as you can. I recommend also spraying the cord with a bitter spray. Chewing on a cord, especially one that is plugged in, can cause serious damage to your pet.
• Avoid buying real seasonal plants. Many plants that are used for the holidays, like poinsettias, are toxic to cats and dogs. Stick to a fake plant instead. If you’re not sure about different plants, check out this amazing database on toxic plants for dogs and cats.
• You love it and your pets want it. There are many foods that are hazardous to our furry friends. To see a list of some common food items that are toxic, check out our toxic food list on the Learning Center.

Are Parties Stressful for Dogs and Cats?

We want to celebrate the holidays with friends, maybe even host a party. Before you do that, be sure you’ve prepared a safe space for your pets. In this area, have their food, water, and toys ready for them. Be sure to also have a place for them to relax, such as a crate or a cat tree.

If you decide to let your pet roam the house, be sure your guests are aware and that they respect the space of your animals. Be sure you have all tags and microchips up to date, in case they slip out during all the festivities. For more tips on guests and parties, take a look at the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMA) website for a detailed list of holiday pet safety tips.

You can still decorate your home, have friends over and keep your pet happy all at the same time. Just be diligent on preparing your pet for this exciting time of year. If you have more questions , call us at 800.786.4751.