Preparing Your Pets for the Holidays: Tips for a Safe and Stress-Free Season

It’s ironic that a season overflowing with goodness and gratitude also has the potential to cause certain calamities. When it comes to pet holiday safety, it’s important to temper all the fear and worry with sweet offerings that make the holidays so worthwhile and memorable. We can help you get ready for all the great things the season supplies all while standing guard for the possibilities for illness or injury.

Taking Cues From Them

Some pets are easy-breezy about routine disruptions, new faces in the house, and even longer stretches of solitude. Others are naturally upset about these types of changes around the holidays. 

If possible, try to keep your pet’s routine the same. 

• Meal times, bathroom breaks, and exercise opportunities are deeply meaningful to pets and bring them a great deal of security and confidence. 
• If you can’t keep things consistent for them during the holidays, hire a pet sitter or dog walker, or sign them up for doggie daycare. 
• Due to a heightened sense of fear or confusion, pets respond with a fight-or-flight instinct around the holidays (especially if you’re hosting a large gathering at home). 
• Be sure that your pet’s collar is in good shape, and ID tags are legible. Replace if needed. 
• Update any new contact information attached to your pet’s microchip. 

Safety & Security

Check the windows and doors of your home to ensure that your pet cannot easily slip out when you least expect it. Be sure that fence posts and gates are in good shape and not easily breached from digging or hopping over. 

Set up a quiet place for your pet away from the noise and traffic during holiday parties at home. Encourage them to rest in their open crate, have fresh water on hand and plenty of treats and toys. A long walk or run prior to your gathering can reduce jitters and add to their general sense of well-being. 

Holiday Foods to Avoid

A huge emphasis is placed on holiday goodies, like cookies, roasted nuts, and spiced drinks. To decrease the risks associated with the following holiday toxins and hazards, never offer these to a hungry, curious pet:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Xylitol
• Chocolate
• Grapes/raisins
• Garlic, onions, leek and chives
• Uncooked yeast dough
• Fatty foods
• Bones

Store rubbish in secured bins and never leave your pet unattended near the table or in the kitchen.

Plants and More

Dangerous plants and decorations, including poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, lilies, and even the Christmas tree can present serious threats to holiday pet safety. Never allow your pet to chew on or eat these plants, secure the tree to the wall or ceiling, and cover up the tree stand so they can’t drink the water.

The Christmas tree can be very tantalizing to pets, especially if they are drawn to blinking lights, shimmering colors, and a sense of movement. Remove all breakables from the tree, if needed, lift any electric cords off the floor, and supervise your pet while near the holiday decorations.

Always Here to Help

From all of us at Arlington Animal Hospital, we wish you and your pet a very happy, safe holiday season. If you need us, please call us at (703) 920-5300.