Animal Companions
Season's delights spell danger for pets
Hawaiian Humane Society
The holiday season brings many changes to your home. But while we humans love the traditions and welcome the changes, some may pose dangers for our pets. Here are a few timely tips:
Photos by The Hawaiian Humane Society
Hold the gravy: The holiday season brings out delicious goodies, some harmful to dogs and cats. Chocolates can be fatal, so keep the candies away from them. Don't feed your pets turkey, gravy, scraps of fat or human-food leftovers; they can upset the gastrointestinal balance in our animal friends. Turkey bones splinter and become very dangerous when chewed. Remember also that your clever pets may discover the chocolates and leftovers when you're not looking, so put food away promptly. Secure your kitchen garbage in a cabinet inside or a closed trashcan outside, where the animals can't discover it.
Electrical hazards can turn a happy holiday into a tragedy. Check the safety of your decorations and unplug lights when you're out.
Pet-proof the tree: An evergreen tree inside the house is a concept that your pet may not understand. Teach your pets that this tree is different than trees outdoors. Make sure the tree stand's base is broad enough to keep the tree upright when nudged by kids and pets.
To keep cats out of the holiday tree, hang citrus-scented ornaments, air fresheners or dryer sheets from low branches next to the trunk. For extra safety, place a cone-shaped cardboard obstruction about halfway up the trunk to prevent the cat from climbing all the way up. Position the tree so athletic cats can't use a table or shelf to launch themselves into the tree.
Safeguard the water: If you have a real evergreen, use plain water in the tree stand, or cover the stand completely with a tree skirt. Additives such as aspirin and Tylenol that may make the tree last longer are extremely toxic to animals.
Beware of electrical hazards: Check your lighted decorations for damage before you put them up again. Then check holiday lights often to make sure your pet is not chewing on wires or batting the small light bulbs. Puppies, kittens and rabbits, in particular, may regard wires as chew toys. Each time you leave home, remember to unplug the Christmas tree lights.
Decorate with care: Avoid tinsel, garlands and strings of popcorn since they pose a choking danger. Breakable decorations, especially those hung on Christmas trees, should be out of your animal's reach. Holiday decor often includes fragile figurines and candleholders that appear in new places. Don't place these near your pet's napping spots or travel pathways. Place unbreakable ornaments at the bottom of the tree. And avoid putting wrapped chocolate or other food under the tree — your pet will sniff them out and dig in when you're not looking.
Keep New Year's happy: Popping firecrackers and bright fireworks explosions can be extremely traumatic for animals, so it's not surprising that Jan. 1 is the day the Humane Society receives the most "lost pet" reports. To ensure a happy new year for all, bring your outdoor animals inside before the noise begins and make a safe, quiet place for them. Snap on your pet's collar and ID. Leave a radio on with some restful music that will distract them from the sounds outside. Your animal friends will appreciate all your efforts to keep them safe through the holidays.
