The holidays are here and we are preparing big meals, decorating and gathering with family and friends. We must remember our pets during the holiday season and make sure they are safe. If you are expecting guests and your dog gets excited when the door bell rings, make sure that he doesn’t run out. Keep him in another room or in the basement until the guests have arrived.

Keep a current ID tag on your pet at all times in the event that he does escape during a holiday party.

There are certain substances that must be kept away from dogs. They are: apple seeds, onions, raisins, grapes, chocolate, macadamia nuts and pear seeds. These are all toxic to dogs.  Remind your guests not to give your dog anything except his dog treats.  Do not leave food unattended, dogs love to snatch treats from the table and it just could be something that is toxic to them.

Some common plants are toxic. They are  azaleas, rhododendron, and foxglove and can all cause heart failure if ingested.

Make sure that you dispose of all of the trash right away. You don’t want your dog to get a hold of a bone and possibly choke on it.

It’s a good idea to keep your dog in a separate room during a party. Make them comfortable with some of his favorite toys and some soft music.

Christmas tree lights can be a problems if you have a puppy who likes to chew. Make sure that there are no hanging wires from the tree. A puppy would love to grab them, chew on them and possibly even pull the tree down! Try not to use tinsel. I almost lost a cat years back who chewed on the tinsel which got logged in his digestive track. It was really a close call.

Follow some of these simple instructions and have a great holiday!

Remember, pets are family!

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