Some festive foods are not safe for pets.
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Holiday Safety Tips for Pets
Whether you plan to visit friends and relatives or you’re hosting guests at your home, here are ways to avoid holiday pet hazards and help pets stay safe while you celebrate.
Pet health and safety are high priorities for pet owners all year long. In fact, according to one study, a typical pet owner spends more than $1,300 annually to care for a pet—and that’s on top of adoption fees and first-time supplies.
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While pet parents are used to everyday care, it’s important to consider ways to keep your best friend safe and healthy when routines change during the holidays. Here are some holiday safety tips for pets for those times when you’re entertaining at your place or taking your furry friend to a gathering elsewhere.
FOOD & DRINK
Some festive foods aren’t safe for pets. Here’s a list of things to avoid:
• Everyday foods: Chocolate is toxic for dogs and cats. Onions, raisins and grapes are also poisonous to pets.
• Xylitol: This artificial sweetener—found in a range of products, including gum, breath mints and baked goods—has been linked to liver failure in dogs.
• Table scraps: Items that are fatty, salty or spicy can upset pets’ systems, as can bones and raw eggs.
• Nuts and pits: These items can cause choking or blockage. Some fruit pits are poisonous.
• Foods with citric acid: These foods can create digestive upset or affect the nervous system.
• Alcohol: Beer, wine and spirits can cause illness. Consumption can even be life-threatening.
The ASPCA has compiled a comprehensive list of human foods and drinks that can be harmful to your pets. In addition to what's listed above, avoid giving your pet avocado, coffee, caffeine, coconut and coconut oil, milk, dairy, garlic, chives, raw/undercooked meat, salt, salty snack foods, and yeast dough.
A good rule of thumb is to make sure trash containers are out of reach and tightly sealed. But even with these restrictions, your pets don’t have to miss out on treats. Try a paw-some recipe for your pets to enjoy. A recipe for Dog-Gone Delightful Biscuits is at the bottom of this page.
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Keep a close eye on your pet with holiday decorations around the house.
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DECORATIONS
Some holiday decorations can be pet hazards.
• Christmas trees: Keep your dog or cat from eating branches or pine needles and from drinking the water in the tree stand, which may contain bacteria or dangerous chemicals. None of these is good for your pet’s digestive system.
• Plants and flowers: Common household or decorative plants can cause problems if your pet eats them. Amaryllis, mistletoe, balsam, pine, cedar, lilies, poinsettias and holly can be dangerous and even poisonous to pets.
• Decor: Keep homemade ornaments, especially those made from salt dough or other food-based materials, away from pets. Broken ornaments can injure pets, and tinsel, potpourri, candles and electrical wiring should also be kept away from pets.
Some children may be rough on pets if visiting for a holiday gathering.
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VISITORS & GATHERINGS
Celebrations can get noisy, so make sure your pet has a quiet and accessible place to retreat to. If you’re the host, inform guests ahead of time if your pet will be present at the get-together or if other guests plan to bring their pets. If you’re a guest, make sure your pet is welcome and inquire if others will be bringing pets. Determine beforehand how well the attending pets get along with each other. And remember that some exotic pets may make guests uncomfortable.
Be sensitive to children who may be afraid of animals. Introduce kids and pets to each other carefully, and closely monitor the interaction between them. Also, consider the opposite problem: children who are unafraid of pets and may be rough with them.
Keep an eye on your pets, so they don’t sneak out of the house while guests are coming and going. Ensure that your pet is properly identified with your contact information, and consider using and registering a microchip.
RECIPE
A DOG-GONE DELIGHTFUL BISCUIT
AAA Four Diamond Topnotch Resort in Stowe, Vermont, shared a recipe for peanut butter and pumpkin dog treats. These bone-shaped biscuits are made with nutrition-packed pumpkin puree and whole-wheat flour, so you can feel good about what you’re feeding Fido.
Ingredients
1 1/3 cups pumpkin puree
½ cup smooth peanut butter
4 large eggs
3 cups whole-wheat flour
Instructions
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all wet ingredients until smooth.
3. Slowly add flour until dough is no longer sticky.
4. Roll out dough to ¼-inch thickness.
5. Cut out desired shapes (e.g. bones).
6. Place on greased sheet pan.
7. Bake 20-25 minutes until edges are golden.
8. Let cool completely.
NOTE: Ask a veterinarian before introducing new foods into your pet’s diet.
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