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Pet proofing your home during the holidays
A recent survey by the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association revealed that almost 90 percent of pet owners include their four-legged furry friends in holiday celebrations. Sadly, what should be a festive occasion often turns into a financial and emotional nightmare for pet owners.
Here are some holiday pet safety tips to follow as you decorate your home this holiday season:
- Make sure to secure your Christmas tree to a wall or ceiling, as cats and dogs are notorious for knocking trees right over.
- Pinesap mixed with water, fertilizer and additives make Christmas tree water toxic to your pets. Also, stagnant or long-standing tree water can harbor millions of bacteria, which if ingested will cause nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Be sure to use a water container that doesn’t allow your pets access to take a drink.
- Evergreens are not for everyone. If you have one though, plan to regularly sweep fallen needles to avoid a trip to IVEC. If ingested, they can puncture holes in your pet's intestine.
- Replace metal ornament hooks with tightly knotted fabric, 1/4-inch ribbons, lightweight twine or yarn to slip easily over the branches of the tree. Metal clamps are another great alternative.
- Watch out for electrical cords. Pets often try to chew them and will get shocked or electrocuted. You can spray the cords with Bitter Apple, which can be found at pet stores. Its bitter taste discourages pets from chewing. Apple cider vinegar works also.
- Hang your treasured ornaments higher on the Christmas tree. Use wooden, medal, or resin-cast on the lower branches versus glass ornaments, which break easily and may cut a dog's feet or mouth. Sharp breakable ornaments and tinsel are very dangerous to pets.
- If you have a plastic tree, a small amount of Citronella oil shaken into a bottle of water and misted on to the tree creates an unpleasant smell for cats. Spray some pine cones with Citronella and pile them around the base of the tree. Cats won’t dare to walk on them!
- Be aware that certain plants like ivy, mistletoe, holly, amaryllis and poinsetta can be poisonous to pets. All contain parts that will cause gastrointestinal upset and vomiting, but if enough plant material is ingested, seizures, coma or death is possible depending on the toxicity level.
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