Holiday Hazard #6: Holiday Cheer
Slipping a dog, cat or other pet alcoholic beverages to see how they act when inebriated isn’t funny, and could be very dangerous, Cook said. “It can make them very sick, with vomiting and diarrhea.”
Holiday Hazard #7: Dangerous Foods
Certain foods on the dangerous list all year may be more plentiful around the holidays—or your guard may be down. Be sure your pet has no access to coffee grounds, grapes, raisins, onions, chewing gum, or mints with Xylitol. This sweetener, also used in baked goods and candy, is associated with liver failure and death in dogs, according to the AVMA. View a full list of dangerous foods here.
Holiday Hazard #8: Socially Shy Pets
Some pets simply aren’t comfortable around a lot of people. Some get scared; others get hostile. Whatever way your pet’s party-shy personality tends to turn, put it in a spare bedroom with food and water, out of the way of guests, Cook suggested.
Holiday Hazard #9: Escape Artists
Pets “can be like little kids,” Cook says. “They like to get out, too.” So you’ve got company—maybe guests who aren’t used to keeping track of pets—and someone leaves the door open and out they go.
Besides alerting guests to your furry escape artists, “make sure you have a way of finding your pet,” Cook said. That means either a microchip, or at the least, a rabies tag or ID tag with your contact information, the vet’s contact information, or both.
Holiday Hazard #10: Aluminum Foil
Crumpled up with food sticking to it, aluminum foil can be irresistible to a pet. If swallowed, though, it can cause puncture wounds in the gastrointestinal tract, Cook said.
The holidays can be a busy and stressful time, but it’s also a time to reconnect with your family, friends, and of course, pets. So be sure to take the proper precautions to ensure everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.
