PET-PROOF YOUR HOME DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Imagine waking up one day to find your usual routine disrupted and the house filled with glittery new objects. For your pets, the holidays can be an interesting, and sometimes dangerous, adventure.
Just as you would child-proof your home during the holidays if you have little ones, keep your home safe for your four-legged kids as well.
Here are tips to keep your home safe for your pets this holiday season, courtesy of PetSmart:
♦ Nicotine can be fatal to pets. If guests smoke or use tobacco and you don’t, your pets may be curious about the cigarettes or cigars. Be sure to provide ashtrays that can be placed out of pets’ reach. If ingested, tobacco products cause serious gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiac arrest or death.
♦ Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias, though somewhat toxic, are only mildly dangerous, generally causing only serious stomach upset. However, lilies found in many holiday arrangements are very dangerous, especially to cats and can cause kidney failure if ingested.
♦ Small ornaments, especially balls and bells, are attractive to pets — but deadly if consumed. Consider decorating your tree with “pet safe” ornaments, and put garland and tinsel out of reach.
♦ Artificial snow, aluminum foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be poisonous and also obstruct the intestinal tract, causing severe gastrointestinal problems.
♦ Take a pass on bubbling Christmas lights and snow globes. The bubblers contain toxic methylene chloride, and snow globes often contain anti-freeze, which is fatal to pets.
♦ After the presents are opened, check for small parts from children’s toys that may be left within reach. Put children’s toys behind closed doors once gifts are opened.
♦ String tree lights, then hide the connecting cords under the tree skirt or tape them down to help prevent shocks, burns or more serious injuries. Even a well-behaved pet could trip on an electrical cord and take down the entire tree!
♦ Secure the Christmas tree by anchoring it to the floor with weights and run fishing line from the top of the tree to the ceiling. This will keep curious pets from knocking it over.
♦ Keep pets from drinking Christmas tree water! Never add fertilizers to the water, and change it regularly. This helps keep the tree fresh, and also avoids dangerous bacterial build-up. Consider using a decorative fencing around the tree to keep pets away.
♦ Don’t leave burning candles within pets’ reach or unattended. Candles can singe curious noses and paws, and can spark a fire if knocked over. Consider flameless candles.
♦ Reduce pets’ stress when entertaining guests. Keep pets in a quiet room or indoor kennel away from the action, and with their favorite bedding and toys. This will also keep them from escaping through doors left open by guests. It can also prevent fighting among pets that usually get along but might become competitive over attention.
—Candy Waylock


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