TIPS

Holiday Tips

Safety Tips for your Home: Pet guardians during the winter holiday season need to know the pet hazards that could cause problems for animals. Some things to consider inside your home:

• No Bones Please: Avoid giving bones to your dogs or cats, particularly turkey bones. Poultry bones easily splinter and can cause serious injury, while bone fragments can cause intestinal blockages or lacerations.
• Healthy Treats: Chocolate and other sweets should not be given to animals. Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that can be deadly to cats and dogs, though not harmful to humans. The best thing you can do for your pets over the holidays is to keep them on their regular diet. Look for special animal treats instead of giving your animals cookies or sweets meant for people.
• Poisonous Plants: Many popular holiday plants are poisonous to animals including mistletoe, holly, ornamental pepper, Christmas rose and poinsettias. Remember to keep these plants out of reach of pets - especially birds.
• Avoid Tinsel: If you have a Christmas tree and pets, you have a recipe for trouble. First, make sure the tree is well secured. Try to place decorations above paw height and use string to hang the bulbs instead of hooks, which are easily dislodged. If possible, use nonbreakable ornaments. Avoid using tinsel or angel hair. Cats and dogs will ingest both, which can cause intestinal problems. Cords for lights should be made inaccessible to pets - especially from chewing puppies and exploring kittens. Keep in mind that the chemicals added to the water reservoir of your Christmas tree to keep your tree living longer won’t do the same for your pet. The chemicals are toxic to animals, so keep the reservoir covered.
• Watch Toys: Avoid purchasing pet toys with small or soft pieces that can be chewed and swallowed. Nylon bones tend to splinter less than plastic ones. Be sure to inspect pet toys regularly and discard deteriorating ones.

Outside with your Pet: During the winter season nature provides outdoor animals with natural insulation in the form of a denser haircoat and an added layer of fat just under the skin to help retain body heat. This adaptation does not mean, however, that animals are immune to winter cold.

For outdoor animals snow cover and ice can make it difficult even for large animals to reach their usual sources of food and fresh water. Think about bringing animals indoors. Otherwise, remember that animals need more calories to fend off the cold, so in addition to providing daily fresh water, be sure to give them extra food. When the temperature drops bring pets indoors - dogs and cats are safer indoors.

Here are more tips for cold weather animal care...

• Dogs in Pick-up Trucks: It is never appropriate to transport a dog in an open pick-up truck - especially in winter. Wind chill plus slippery conditions, which result in higher accident rates, put your dog at risk. Bring your best friend up-front in the cab - or leave him at home where it is warm.
  
• Ice-Free Water: If you keep any animals outdoors during winter weather, be sure their water supply is checked twice a day to keep it ice-free.
• Anti-Freeze: Many animals like the taste of antifreeze and will readily consume it when given the opportunity. However, antifreeze, even in the smallest amounts, can have a very harmful and often fatal effect on your pet.
  
• Salt: The salt used to melt snow irritate the pads of pet's feet. Wipe off your pet's feet before they lick their paws.
  
• Warm Engines: Cats and wildlife gravitate to warm engines during cold winters. Be sure to bang on your hood to avoid injuring an animal in your engine.

The holiday season is a time for caring and giving, and with a little common sense you can ensure your pets have a safe enjoyable winter season with you.