Cover the Tree With Water and Other Ways to Protect Your Pet During the Holidays
Some people may think this is the most beautiful time of the year, but their pets may not like the holidays as much as they do. First, it likely disrupts their normal sleep schedule of 20 hours a day. Plus, there are all these weird things hanging out in the house that they are not allowed to play with, let alone new people in their house that might be worrying them.
But in addition to skipping regular sleep and snacks, the holidays also come with additional risks for pets. “While the holidays are a time to celebrate, it’s important to prioritize our pet’s health and safety by keeping potentially hazardous jewelry and food behind closed doors,” says Dr. Tina Wismer, DVM, Senior Director of Poison Control Center Toxicology animals ASPCA. Life hacker.
Here are some tips from Wismer for keeping your pets safe and sound for the next few weeks.
Food safety
Festive gatherings almost certainly mean there will be food around. Pets may see this and think this is their lucky day, but as people in a situation, we must help them avoid temptation. “Keep pets away from the buffet table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to close the trash can lids,” says Wismer.
And while you are doing this, advise your holiday guests not to feed your dog (or any other pet) prohibited human food. “Even a small tidbit from every party guest can quickly fill your dog’s belly and cause health problems,” she adds.
Some foods are worse for pets than others, and here are a few things Wismer advises to stay away from them:
- Sweet, fatty and spicy human foods
- Bones
- Chocolate
- Dough
- Cake
- Alcohol
Safe decoration
The decorations you install in your home also pose a health hazard to your pet. “The shiny, glowing tinsel is especially attractive to pets, but even a small amount of tinsel eaten can cause severe vomiting, dehydration or obstruction in your pet’s digestive tract and possibly require surgery,” explains Wismer.
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to living Christmas trees. First, be sure to secure the tree securely so it doesn’t fall and hurt your pet. Second, cover the water tank with the tree with a skirt or towel. “Water from trees can contain fertilizers and other chemicals that can be dangerous if consumed by pets,” says Wismer.
How to deal with stress and anxiety
Vacations are a tough time, including for pets. Everyone’s habits are disrupted, they are in turmoil, and there may be more people in the house than usual. All of these can be troublesome for pets, Wismer said. Plus, if you’re having these holiday get-togethers, you have a million things going on – between shopping, cooking, cleaning, and hosting – and you may not have the same amount of time to spend with your pet as usual. …
“It can help if you stick to the most consistent routine,” says Wismer. “And even in the midst of the holiday season, keep your pets busy and happy with exercise, play, interactive play, or puzzle toys.”