The holidays are a time for joy, gathering and spending time with loved ones, but for pet parents, they can also be stressful. From your pet trying to eat what’s being cooked for Thanksgiving dinner to getting tangled up in seasonal decorations, there are plenty of potential hazards to be mindful of. With the right preparation, you can help your furry family member stay safe and happy this holiday season. Here’s a few helpful tips to ensure the holidays go smoothly.
1. Stock-Up on Prescriptions
The holiday season can be busy, and the weather can be unpredictable, which makes staying on top of your pet’s medications even more important. Don’t wait until the last minute, order your pet’s prescriptions ahead of time. Home delivery can ease the stress of getting medication, and you’ll always have what your pet needs delivered to your doorstep. Missing a dose is never an option when it comes to your pet’s health, and having extra medication on hand can give you peace of mind.
Plan for the unexpected. Winter weather, holiday closures, and even travel plans can make it harder to access your vet or local pharmacy. By stocking up ahead of time, you’ll be prepared for anything and can enjoy the holiday season stress-free.
2. Holiday Safety at Home
Decorations and Trees — Festive decorations can make the holiday season feel magical, but this can spark curiosity for pets. While ornaments, tinsel, and ribbon may look fun to play with to a pet, they can cause serious injuries if broken, chewed, or swallowed. Try to keep fragile or dangling ornaments higher up on the tree, so they are out of reach of your pet.
Pine needles from real Christmas trees can be slightly toxic to pets. Fir tree oil can also be irritating to the mouth and stomach. Ingesting these for pets can lead to an upset stomach, drooling and vomiting. Artificial trees may also contain toxic substances. If you see your pet trying to chew on the tree, be sure to stop them immediately and monitor them closely afterwards. Make sure your Christmas tree is secured to avoid tipping in case your pet decides to jump or climb on it.
Toxic Plants — Some of the most common holiday household plants are dangerous to pets. Poinsettias, Holly, Mistletoe, and Lilies can cause anything from a mild stomachache to more concerning health issues. Instead, pick pet-safe alternatives like artificial plants to keep your home festive and safe.
Candles and Cords — Candles can set a cozy holiday mood, but they can be risky around pets. Place candles on sturdy, high surfaces where wagging tails or curious paws can’t reach them. For cords, consider adding cord protectors, covers, or tucking them away to help prevent burns, shock or chewing.
Securing Trash — The trash can be full of tempting items that are dangerous to pets from turkey bones to chocolate wrappers. Keep the trash lid sealed tightly and take it out often especially after holiday parties or big meals. This can help prevent your pet from rummaging through the trash and making a mess, as well as potentially eating food that is harmful to them.
3. Watch the Doors
The holidays are full of spending time with loved ones, which means you may be more likely to have a steady flow of guests, from deliveries to family members coming and going. This can create a lot of opportunities for pets to escape with the door opening and closing. Even the most well-behaved pets run the risk of escaping out of excitement of seeing visitors.
To help keep your pet safe, make sure your pet is secure before guests arrive. By setting up a baby gate, using a crate, or a separate quiet room can help prevent them from escaping. Be sure to double check their ID tags and microchip information to ensure all of the information is updated. If they do manage to get out, having updated information can help increase their chances of a safe return.
4. Travel Safety
Whether your heading out of town for the holidays or taking a few short road trips it’s important to plan ahead for a safe and stress-free travel period with your pet. Always use a secure crate, carrier or pet seatbelt to keep them safe in the car. Loose pets can be a risk for drivers. If you have plans to fly, make sure you check your airline’s requirements in advance and choose an approved carrier.
Comfort is key to pets while traveling. Bringing along familiar items like their favorite toy, bed, or blanket can help ease their anxiety. Don't forget to bring extra medication in case of an emergency, food, a water bowl, a leash, and any other supplies they may need. Planning ahead can ensure smooth travel for you and your pet.
5. Mindful Hosting
The holidays can be an exciting time to spend time with family and friends, but the guests and the noise can be overwhelming for pets. Setting some clear house rules like not feeding your pet table scraps and letting your guests know in advance can help ease the stress of hosting and avoiding accidents. It can be beneficial for your pet to have a quiet space such as a guest room or quiet corner where they can take a break and relax.
A little bit of planning and preparation goes a long way to keeping the spirit bright during the holiday season. From stocking up on medications to creating a quiet space for your pet and being proactive, you can help to limit the holiday stress for you and your furry friend to ensure that you're focusing on what truly matters, spending time with your loved ones.