Holiday safety for your pets
By: Lisa Chelenza
The holidays are a fun time for the entire family, but there are hazards to our pets in unlikely places. Today, our annual holiday safety tips for your pets.
Many plants including Christmas rose, holly, mistletoe and lilies are toxic to pets. Keep them out of your pet's reach or choose artificial.
Holiday paraphernalia can be dangerous to pets. Cover or tack down electrical cords.
Keep tinsel and glass ornaments out of your pet's reach. Place breakable ornaments high up on your tree and never leave ornament hooks lying around.
Read warnings on the item like spray-on snow; they can be poisonous.
Batteries are very dangerous. When chewed by an animal they can cause burns and mouth ulcers. If swallowed, they can possibly perforate the gastrointestinal tract and require surgery.
Never put ribbons around your pet's neck or allow it to play with the plastic, foil wrapping or six-pack beverage holders.
Most cats like to climb Christmas trees, so be on the lookout. You wouldn't want them to come crashing down and become injured as well as destroying your grandmother's antique ornament in the process.
And let's not forget about reptiles, birds and fish. They are sensitive to temperature changes and some air fresheners, so be sure to monitor their environments closely. Move them away from drafty windows and heat sources. These can cause drastic shifts in temperature.
In the event of an emergency, have your vet's numbers available and place a "please save my animal" sticker on your doors in case you are not home to alert authorities. A large blank address label can do the trick.
