Keeping Your Pets Safe Over the Holidays

"Tis the season for giving. A recent poll revealed that 35% of couples who own pets spend more on their animals than they do on their partners! How about a matching dog sweater with the name of your favorite university embroidered on it? Or maybe a Woofgang Pup Pizza, some edible holiday cards, or a neat little kit to take impressions of your pet's paw and frame it for posterity? Of course the rather expensive fully-automated litter box is always a yearly favorite.

Seems like in a lot of households Fido or Kitty is the center of attention around the holidays. But as both pets and humans get caught up in the spirit, it sometimes can be a dangerous time of year for our pets.

A few years ago I had a little mixed dog named Max who was part Black and Tan and part Chihuahua. Max was a precocious little pup with a curiosity that was several times larger than he was. He would try to steal the chew toy right out from under the neighbor's dog's nose, and that dog was a Doberman by the way. One winter he hit a patch of ice as he was running across the yard and almost knocked himself out on a tree. One year, around Christmas time, I decided to give him a little treat. Though most of the time he never got table scraps, this was after all, the holidays. The only problem was several other guests and family members had decided to treat him over the course of the evening and he didn't refuse any of them. Around midnight, after everyone had left, I heard the most terrible moaning coming from the kitchen. Max was lying on the floor, his abdomen distended, looking like he was in terrible pain. After a call to the vet it was determined that Max had indigestion from all of the fat and salt in the ham he had eaten. The vet told me to try to get him to swallow a little Pepto Bismol. Both of us were pink by the time he burped a couple of times and seemed to get better. Here are a few tips to keep your pets safe during the holidays:

It's ok to give a gift to your pet, but don't give a pet as a gift for the holidays. Since it's such a hectic time of the year a lot of pets given as gifts end up in the shelter. It's better to give a gift certificate from a local shelter instead. It can be redeemed when there is more time and things have settled down.

Noisy holiday celebrations and lots of unfamiliar people coming and going can create stress for your dog or cat. It's a good idea to have a safe quiet place in the house where they can escape from the chaos of holiday celebrations.

Holiday decorations with their blinking lights, pine needles, and fragile glass ornaments can be dangerous to curious pets. Make sure your tree is on a flat stable surface. Cover up the tree stand so they can't drink the stagnant water. Rub extension cords with some kind of taste deterrent like bitter apple or lemon. Keep toxic plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly berries out of the reach of your pet.

If you're going to travel during the holidays, it might be better to leave your pets in a kennel or at home with a sitter. According to the Air Traffic Association more than 5,000 pets are killed during commercial travel each year.

If you have a dog, keep him happy and fit with winter walks. Don't leave dogs out unattended to long. If they get wet, be sure to dry them off with a towel when they get back inside. Avoid using a hair dryer.

This may sound foolish, but animals can gain weight over the holidays too. Even if they are given the right kind of food, make sure you monitor the amount. They may also be inside more and less active during the cold weather.

Always supervise pets around fireplaces and space heaters. Put out all of the holiday candles before leaving the room.

Pets and wildlife sometimes curl up on the engine for warmth in the winter, so it might be a good idea to check before starting your car. Also be aware that antifreeze tastes good but is highly toxic to animals.

With a little extra attention, common sense, and care the holidays can be very merry for both you and your pet.