Pet Safety at Christmas: Be Careful with Decorations in Paw's Reach

Imagine the Christmas holiday from the point of view of your pets. Bright, decorative lights, scented candles, shiny colored ornaments that would be fun to bat around or chew, not to mention some new and delicious smells. And to top it off, just when you teach kittens and puppies to go potty outside, you go and bring the outside in, by putting up a Christmas tree.

Pets are easily puzzled. Cats especially seem to notice every little change in their environment. You can see it whenever you move an item of furniture. Then watch the cat walk into the room and stop suddenly. Sometimes their bellies drop to the floor in a defensive posture. Holiday decorations and celebrations are all about change, so expect your to be curious. It can be fun to watch, but their curiosity can also lead to sickness and injury or death.

Here are a few tips for keeping your pets safe this Christmas:

Some pets consider everything a toy, so be aware of what is within their reach.

Tinsel that is eaten by your pet can cause an intestinal blockage.

Glass ornaments that get broken and then eaten by a pet can cause intestinal bleeding or cuts in the mouth and throat.

Ornaments made with dried food can be poisonous.

Shiny, dangly balls can be an irresistible temptation to a curious pet. And it's even worse if they are attached to the tree with those handy metal hooks. If a pet who is left alone with the tree manages to get one down (and they always do) he may break and eat the ornament, and worse yet, the hook.

Tree needles, real or artificial, should be kept off the floor so that curious pets don't eat them.

Cover your tree stand so pets aren't tempted to drink the water, especially if you add tree preservative.

Watch electric cords that may drape around the tree. Be sure to unplug them when you leave home. Lonely pets can chew them and be shocked or electrocuted.

Remember, poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly are all poisonous if eaten, so keep them out of paw reach.

Be sure that candles are kept out of the path of a waggly tail or curious paw.

If you have a fire in the fireplace, don't let pets get too close in case burning embers fly.

At the dinner table be careful not to let pets have poultry bones and don't leave the bones where a pet can pilfer them. These bones are brittle and if eaten, can cause intestinal bleeding.

Don't give in the begging when it comes to rich foods like chocolate, alcohol, potato latkes, gravy, and poultry skin. These can be toxic to your pet, or at the very least, cause an upset stomach.