Keep pets happy during holidays

By Sekai K. Mutunhu
Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle

Pets can relieve stress in humans, but they can also cause it, especially if they act out any unhappiness during the holidays.

To prevent your pet from wreaking havoc on the festivities, the American Animal Hospital Association, an international organization of veterinary care providers, recommends providing a quiet, familiar place where your cat or dog can retreat if the strange noises, smells and faces become too much.

Keep pet stress to a minimum by maintaining a sense of normalcy: Stick to regular feeding and exercise schedules, and spend quality playtime with your animal every day. "Pets, especially dogs, are creatures of habit, and as soon as you alter their schedule, they get upset and nervous," says Dr. Paul Black, a veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of Pittsford, N.Y.

A few more tips from the American Kennel Club, the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

• Don't dress your pet in a costume unless you know your pet loves it.
• Don't use tinsel on your tree or leave ribbons on the floor. Dogs and cats often eat them and have serious digestive problems.
• Water the Christmas tree regularly to keep the needles from drying out, and pick up needles that have fallen. If eaten, pine needles can puncture your pet's intestines.
• Cover the water in the base of the tree stand. The water can contain harmful chemicals.
• Anchor your tree to the top of a wall with rope to keep your pet from toppling it.
• Make sure your pets don't chew or play with electric cords. Keep cords hidden by routing them through PVC pipe.
• Place holiday plants out of reach. Poinsettias, mistletoe and holly are poisonous.
• Don't share holiday treats, especially chocolate, with pets. Candy can cause restlessness, vomiting, heart disturbances and even death.