Enjoy Celebrating Christmas with Your Pets

Christmastime is a time of memories and traditions. By following safety tips for pets at Christmas, you can include your pet in the Christmas plans. Plan safe Christmas activities for your pet and create some new Christmas memories that include your furry (or not so furry) friends.

Safety tips:

Foods to avoid: Pets should never be given chocolate, which can be toxic in cats and dogs. Other foods that should not be given to pets include: Grapes, garlic; onions; macademia nuts; broccoli; caffeine containing foods or drinks and avocado.

Christmas decorations can cause major problems for curious pets. Shiny and bright, tinsel can cause digestive problems when swallowed. Tinsel can lead to obstruction and lead to surgery. Avoid using tinsel for decorating if pets have access to it. Even if placed high on a tree, curious cats or dogs may jump or stand up to get to it, resulting in a toppled tree and terrified or injured pet. Place Christmas bulbs high on the tree where pets cannot easily reach them. Do not leave pets unsupervised in the same room as the Christmas tree.

Excited children can unintentionally upset a pet at Christmas. Dogs and cats can bite and/or scratch when scared by loud, active children or aggravated by kids pulling their tails, ears, etc. If young Christmas guests are old enough to understand and follow directions, explain the rules for handling your pets. If pets are not comfortable around strangers and noise, keep then in a separate room away from the commotion. Give them a favorite toy and/or snack to keep them content.

Plants: There are many types of plants that are toxic to cats and dogs. Avoid placing these plants where a cat or dog can get their paws on them: Mistletoe, Buckeye plant, azalea, lillies, aloe plants, cyclamen, daisies, gladiolas, Poinsettia, Christmas Rose, and American Holly. These are just a few of the plants dangerous to pets. When bringing a new plant into a home with pets, always check to see if it is toxic to your pet. Check online with your local vet, Humane Society or ASPCA.

ACTIVITIES:

If leaving home for the holidays, consider taking your pet with you at Christmas. If driving, keep your pet in a pet carrier and take rest stops to give yourself and your pet a break. If flying, consider booking your pet on a flight with Pet Airways. The flights are strictly for pets (with humans on board to check on the pets every 15 minutes). Your pet will stay in main cabin and have a pampered flight. Be sure to book ahead of time, as these flights fill up quickly.

If your pet is well socialized, comfortable and well behaved around your Christmas guests, go ahead and include them in the activities. Be sure and inform your guests what is off limits for your pet and what foods your pet is not allowed to have.

Bake a special treat or cake for your pet at Christmas. These are cheaper than store-bought treats, without the preservatives. Check out the library or web for a wide variety of pet recipes.

Plan a Christmas party for your pets. Invite family/friends who would enjoy spending time with your pets (leave the non-pet people to attend the human parties). Plan some fun activities for the pets, such as laser lights or toy mice for cats or a special walk in a nearby park for dogs. After the humans and pets are tired from the activities, wind the party down by opening the pet Christmas presents and serving home baked pet treats to the pets and human foods for the people.

Make a stocking for your pet at Christmas. Fill it with favorite types of toys, treats or pet clothing. Help your pet open the stocking. Set aside some of the treats for later so they don't eat them all at once.

Get your pet dolled up for Christmas. Pamper them with a trip for the groomer. If your pet will tolerate it, have the groomer dress them in holiday attire, add festive bows and have their nails painted. Now your pet is ready to have a picture taken.

Get Christmas pictures taken with your pet. Have them made into Christmas cards. Enlarge your favorite poses and put in a Christmas frame to enjoy every Christmas.

Spend some extra time to with your pets during the Christmas season. Mark your calendar and keep the time free from any other activities. Pets love their humans. Whether just sitting on the couch petting your cat or playing fetch with your dog, your pet will appreciate spending extra time with you at Christmas.

Sources:
www.aspca.org