Companion-piece to Saluki's safe holiday pets post

JoanofArdmore

Companion-piece to Saluki's safe holiday pets post

JoanofArdmore

The last paragraph is especially salient.

Keeping it a pet-tacular holiday season As you're preparing for your celebration during this Christmas season, don't forget about your pets. And I'm not talking about a present left under the tree with a gift tag that says "Bowser" or "Bootsie." If anything, I recommend that you don't put a gift under the tree for them. In the bustle of the holidays, it's easy to forget that you're bringing items home that aren't normally there and that you probably don't think twice about. But guaranteed, your curious furry friends have taken notice, and that curiosity could be dangerous. Keep in mind that you should think of your pets the same way you would small toddlers. And just like children, they'll get their paws into anything you leave out. Let's consider those gifts under the tree. Gift ribbons and bows can present a choking hazard. Pets can chew on them, where pieces that have been shredded can get lodged in their small throats. Also, skip tying that cute red ribbon around Fluffy's neck. Yes, it makes him look festive-just like that little reindeer outfit bought for him. But left unattended, animals can easily become hooked up on something and, in the worse case scenario, they can be strangled to death. Most of us have heard that poinsettia plants are poisonous to pets. But that's not the only greenery associated with the Christmas season that can make them sick. As you deck the halls with boughs of holly, be mindful of setting them out of reach of your animals. Ivy, mistletoe and hibiscus plants can all be dangerous if your pet eats them. But it doesn't stop there. Your Christmas tree presents its own set of hazards. Those beautiful glass ornaments draw the eye-including they eyes of your pet. What fun it is to knock one of them off of the tree and chase it all around the living room! But if Sparky picks it up in his mouth and it shatters, well, I don't need to draw you a picture. And the hooks that are attached to those ornaments can become lodged in the throat or poke a hole in the tongue or tender roof of the mouth. Not only will that result in an expensive emergency room visit-it could end up in your pet needing special food and feeding methods for the rest of his life. Obviously I'm not suggesting that you don't have a Christmas tree, but that you keep it out of reach of your pet and keep his level of curiosity in mind when you decorate it. Last but not least are the abundant treats that laden our holiday tables at this time of year. Those leftover bones and rich human foods have no place in the bowls of Felix and Fred. And chocolate, while a treat for humans, is actually toxic to pets, so be careful not to leave any candy dishes lying out on coffee and side tables. Also, keep an eye on your smaller human guests when they come over for a visit, many of whom want to share their treats with Scruffy. Their harmless intentions can also have you spending the evening at the emergency veterinary hospital.

I find that small children must ALWAYS be watched.!They WILL feed pets stuff they shouldnt have!

Anonymous

Thanks, Joan.  Last year my grandson who was only about 1 1/2 years old came in the kitchen crunching something (we were at his house in Charlotte).  My dd looked around and saw something red on his mouth and asked what he was "eating."  Low and behold it was one of those darn Christmas decorations..balls.  It scared her to death and she handed him over to me.  I took him over  to the sink and opened his mouth and was removing the "crunchy stuff."  Our voices were a bit loud (excitement and fear) and my poor little granddaughter was yelling she didn't want her brother to die.  My dd was scared beyond words.  She called the pedicatricians and did what they told her (I can't even remember).  Good thing....he was fine.

Yep, those ornaments can be a health hazard.  I'll send this to her because they have a dog that's in the house during the day by himself.  Who knows if he sould get frisky.

Thanks again.

Shirley

JoanofArdmore

Well the ornaments look so beautifully delicious..

Glad everything worked out fine, Shirley.

When my daughter was working her way thru nursing school, she got work at the hospital as a nurses aid.Around holiday times, she was always used in the ER.It was a learning process for all of us.

BTW-the worst problem in the ERs always?"Holiday burns."