Winter & Holiday Safety Tips

THE PET TEACHER
In-YOUR-Home Dog Training
248-232-3655

The holiday tree sure looks interesting to your pet. Secure it to a wall or with a
ceiling wire to prevent it from toppling over if your pet should try to climb, use as a
scratching post or simply bumps into it.

Surround the tree with pet or decorative fencing (a cute split rail or white picket
style looks great) or be sure that your pet is always supervised when around the
holiday tree.

Artificial trees are safer than real trees. Many holiday trees have been treated
with preservatives or chemicals that can be toxic to your pet. Pets can ingest pine
needles that can cause gastrointestinal problems.

The smell of the tree may cause your pet to urine-mark it. It may help if you
bring the tree into an isolated indoor room for several days so that it begins to
smell like your home.

Keep electrical cords out of reach or wrapped in flexible plastic tubing. OR tape
them to the tree to make them less accessible for chewing.

Don’t hang lights so low that your pet becomes entangled in them or can chew
them. Unplug the lights when you’re not home to prevent your pet from getting a
dangerous shock if he should chew them. Tape lights to the wall or the window
casement.

Keep tinsel and ribbons out of reach so your pet cannot swallow them. If swallowed
it can cause the intestines to perforate. Liquid potpourri, fireplace salts/colors,
scented pinecones, angel hair, and styrofoam can be toxic if ingested or cause
intestinal obstruction.

Never leave candles unattended. Be sure there are never open flames and that
candles are in containers or glass domes. Securely anchor pillar candles to the
holder so they can’t be dislodged by a paw swat or a tail wag. Watch for fluffy
tails going by an open flame. Some pets think of hot wax as liquid and may try to
swallow it. Watch that your bird’s cage is not near an open flame.

Foods such as chocolate, raisins, grapes, coffee, alcohol, macadamia nuts and even
bread dough can be fatal if ingested in quantity by your dog. Don’t leave these
foods on tables in reach of the dog, be sure that trashcan lids are secure and
remember that gifts under the tree may also contain food items. See the page on
this website for dangerous foods.

Use a tree stand with a cover so your pet cannot drink the water, which might be
treated with aspirin or preservatives, or be stagnant and a breeding ground for
bacteria. Pine sap mixed with water becomes a poisonous drink for your pet.

Save the costumes for yourself. Even an extremely calm cat or dog can become
stressed if you dress him in a holiday costume. A few minutes for a photo is long
enough, then let him return to normal.

Children’s toys can become a poisoning or choking hazard. Be sure that small toy
pieces, plastic model cement, crayons and pencils are out of your pet’s reach.
Wrapping paper, ribbons, and tape can also present potential dangers. Glue is
extremely dangerous for your dog to ingest. Gorilla Glue is very attractive to dogs
and can kill them.

Keep decorating tools out of your pet’s reach. Scissors, knives, tacks, buttons,
sewing needles, pins and other sharp objects can be hazardous to curious pets.
Tell your guests not to give in to any begging. Turkey fat, rich gravy, ham, holiday
cookies, sips of champagne can cause severe gastrointestinal upset in your pet and
can even be fatal. Rich, fatty foods can predispose your pet to life-threatening
Pancreatitis or Bloat;bones can splinter and get stuck in your pet’s mouth, obstruct
his throat or perforate his intestines.

Pets often become upset when lots of activity interrupts their normal routine,
especially dogs. Make sure that your dog is fed and walked on their normal
schedule.

The increased activity can also disrupt your small nocturnal pet from normal
daytime sleep schedule.

Holiday plants can be poisonous to your pet. Holly berries and mistletoe are very
toxic when ingested and some can cause cardiac shock. Poinsettia, Hibiscus and
others in the lily family can cause digestive upset, irritation to the pet’s mouth and
even renal failure. Choose artificial plants for your holiday décor and remember to
check gift floral arrangements for dangerous plants.

With lots of holiday visitors, the doors are sure to be opening more than usual. Be
sure that your pets are wearing collars with ID tags and have been micro chipped in
case of an escape. If your pet does slip out the door, resist the urge to chase,
because it contributes to the game of chase. Instead, stay calm and encourage him
to return to you by enticing with a favorite treat. And then reward him generously
when he does return.

Your pets need a quiet place to retreat during holiday parties. Give them a
separate room with bed, water, food, litter box, toys, scratching post or ready
access to their crate so they can escape the noise. Visitors, especially children,
may not understand how to handle your pet. Have rules on who can handle the pet,
the treats and when to not disturb the pet. Discourage your guests from bringing
their own pets into your home during the holiday season. Keep the pets separated
and slowly introduce them, and always supervise them when together.

Watch for signs of stress such as eating less or not at all, changes in personality
or elimination habits, unwillingness to socialize, biting and other behavioral
changes. Contact your Vet and/or a reliable positive reinforcement trainer if you
see any of these signs.

Strangers can be very intimidating to your pets and they may become emotionally
upset when approached by unknown voices or frightening body language by your
guests.

Know your pet. Know what is normal behavior for your pet to help you recognize
when signs of illness or behavior issues are starting so you can seek help before
your pet’s condition becomes critical. Avoid medical, behavior and training
suggestions from well-meaning friends and instead seek professional veterinary and
behavioral assistance.

Spend quality time with your pet everyday, even during the busy times, to provide
reassurance and to better monitor them for signs of stress.

Antifreeze and other winterizing solutions may contain ethylene glycol. This is
sweet to the taste and readily ingested by dogs and cats – and it is HIGHLY
poisonous. ANY ingestion needs to be treated as life threatening and medical
treatment is required immediately. If you even suspect your pet has ingested
ethylene glycol, head to the nearest veterinary emergency care.

If you let out your dog or cat when it’s cold, be sure to monitor them to ensure
they aren’t developing frostbite or have ice stuck between their pads and can’t walk
from the pain. Dogs can develop frostbite within minutes, even if the temperature
seems warm enough to you.

Sidewalk salt can be harmful to dogs and cats. It can irritate their paws and
cause digestive upsets if ingested when they lick their feet. Always wash their
feet when they return from exposure to salt or use a pair of PAWZ boots
(www.pawzdogboots.com).

Have you ever licked a metal object on a cold day and got your tongue stuck? That
can happen to your pet if you feed them outdoors in metal bowls. Use a bowl
warmer, or plastic bowels, and monitor that they aren’t frozen. Don't leave your
dog outdoors all day with a metal bowl full of frozen water. He can get his tongue
stuck while you're gone and cause himself serious injury.

Honk your car horn before starting it on cold mornings to ensure that an animal,
like a cat or raccoon, hasn’t been warming near the engine. Keep your clothes
dryer closed between uses for the same reason.

WINTER/HOLIDAY SAFETY
TIPS FOR YOUR PETS