How to Keep Your Pets Safe During the Holidays

Here are some of the things to watch for during this busy time, gleaned from a variety of sources.

Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias are poisonous to pets, so keep them out of reach of curious cats and chewing puppies.

Do the same with holiday lights and ornaments and the little hooks they hang from. Even an innocent-looking and tempting popcorn garland can be hazardous; like ribbons and tinsel, the garland's string can become caught in an animal's intestinal tract.

Along those lines, avoid using glass ornaments. If broken, they can cut your pet's feet yours, too, if you're not careful.

Be sure that lights and cords are secured properly. If possible, conceal the cords. Cords are tempting to pets who like to chew, and light bulbs can burn.

Even the tree can be a hazard. Real or artificial, those needles are sharp and can't be digested. If possible, keep the tree in a room your pets can't get to; at the very least, fence in the tree.

If you can anchor the tree to the ceiling with nylon filament, so much the better, especially if there's a cat in the house.

Small bones in that holiday turkey can lodge in your pet's throat, stomach or intestinal tract and cause major problems. No poultry bones should ever be given to dogs. Nor should pork bones.

Even beef bones can cause problems, because they can be crushed and become wedged in an animal's mouth or throat.

Bottom line: Leave the leftovers from the holiday feast for the human members of the family. (And dispose of garbage in secure containers out of your pet's reach.

Chocolate is toxic to dogs, even in small amounts, so keep gifts of chocolate even in their wrappings well out of your pet's reach.

Likewise, alcohol can be toxic to animals, so keep the party punch away from your pet.

Unsuspecting guests may not be as careful about opening doors as you are, so make sure that even your indoor animals have proper identification in case they slip out the door.

Finally, don't let the holiday bustle affect your pet's routine. If you forget to take dog for his usual walk and he has an "accident" on your carpet. During the Christmas season owners should remain just as careful and cautious with there pet as they are anytime of the year.