The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate family - human and animal alike. However there are some seemingly harmless holiday traditions - decorations, treats, gifts - that can hurt your pet. Of course the ideal scenario is to train your pet to stay away from these potential dangers; however, this isn’t always realistic, especially with kittens and puppies. Here is a list of tips on how to make sure your special pet is safe this holiday season:
Holiday Plants. Holly, mistletoe and pointsettas are all toxic for pets and should be avoided or used with caution in pet households.
Holiday lights look beautiful hung over doorways, mantles and of course on trees. When my cat was a kitten, he used to like to chew on the plastic cord. No harm was done, but I had to be sure to keep on eye on him. If you see your pet going after the lights, keep him or her away from strands of lights when lit.
Ornaments. Some cats and dogs love batting ornaments around - again, if there are any in particular that seem to be especially attractive to your pets, move them out of reach or take them off the tree all together. When our cat was a kitten and our dog was a puppy, they both could not be left unattended with the Christmas tree and when we weren’t home, we would close off the room with the tree.
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Tinsel is a big danger in a pet household. Looks very attractive - it’s sparkly, it dangles - perfect pet toy, especially for playful cats and kittens. Not only could they pull the whole tree down, but talk about a choking hazard. It’s safest to keep it up high on the tree or better yet, skip it all together.
Edible tree decorations. Pre-pets, I used to string popcorn and cranberries and hang candy canes on the tree. Looks pretty, but dangerous for pets. Again, a good idea to skip edible ornaments with curious pets.
Gifts. One year my husband wrapped some expensive chocolate for me and put it under the tree on Christmas Eve day. We went out for dinner and my lab “opened” the gift and was sick for two days. Talk about a fun Christmas. Make sure all edible gifts are placed out of your pet’s reach. I had a holiday party one year and a guest kindly brought banana bread and wrapped it so I didn’t know what it was. Again, my dog found it first and ingested the whole loaf, wrapping and all. Now I make a point of asking guests if their gift is edible and then put it up high. And then there is the paper and ribbon used to wrap presents. My cat is obsessed with ribbon and wrapping paper and chews on it incessantly. I have to again make sure I keep an eye on him and put any gifts away when necessary to keep him safe from swallowing the ribbon or paper.
Remember your pets. The holidays are busy with parties and shopping; often your pet’s usual schedule is disrupted. Remember he still needs his walks and play time with you. Don’t forget about him!
Happy holidays from the Pet Lovers at rachaelray.com!
12.14.08 @ 8:02 pm
And don’t forget to buy a little present for your dog or cat, too!
12.16.08 @ 10:02 pm
I live in the city of oshkosh wisc. They are trying to ban and regulate certain breeds of dogs. As a pitbull lover and responsible owner I wanted to share this with you and ask for advice and help to stop this over govermenting and make people aware of the ignorant people in our city!http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081216/OSH0101/812160363/1128/OSH01
12.20.08 @ 12:01 pm
Just a short not about poinsettias, do some research, and ask your vet, a few years ago, when our two border collies were puppies, they had a lovely holiday salad of 5 or 6 poinsettias plants that we had set up for a holiday party. We freaked also believing they were toxic, we jumped on the internet, and found this to be an old wives tale, not really trusting all you read on the internet we called our vet and they confirmed that while not exactly good for them as a food source, it was not toxic. and they would be fine. So, I’m not sure where that tale comes from, but I try to pass our little experience along when ever I hear it. Happy Holidays..
12.20.08 @ 4:39 pm
i can’t find anywhere on this site to say thank you, so i am posting it here in hopes you see it and know how much your generous donation to the wake county animal food bank is appreciated. i have to dogs, live in wake county. i work for wral.com and read a story about your donation. what a gift you’ve given to those folks who aren’t able to afford their pet’s food. i can’t imagine how much more suffering these families in financial crisis would endure in having to give up their biggest cheerleader, best friend and selfless companion. your donation will save more than pets, i bet it will save families too. you’ve inspired me to make a donation too!!!
12.28.08 @ 1:16 am
So Sorry for the typographical error she has 100 plus animals!
12.30.08 @ 12:44 pm
My Shetland Sheepdog, McGregor, got some of your new
burger grill treates for Christmas. He has now been nicknamed “Land Shark” by my brother who provided the snack and was feeding him. He jumps, snaps on to the teats, just like a shark. He has not discovered what to do with the peanut butter treats just yet. Thanks for the great treats. Hope to find the dry in our area soon.
12.30.08 @ 4:58 pm
well another note it is busy time and you could lose track all together.. i believe i overfed our cat he got a tract infection due to the food i didnt know was bad for him (friskies)and on x-mas morning i found him dead. he was my 9 yr old daughters and i pray i just would have paid more attention and didnt get caught up in the holiday.
12.31.08 @ 1:06 pm
Rach - need help. I met a lady yesterday who is trying to make a change and I am trying to see what I can do.Started for her by falling out of a tree and breaking her arm and leg - could not walk. Her dog Scout, saved her life and she wants to give back now that she is able (that short story of what happened).
She has decided to help the helpless.Please take a look at her page http://www.doggiestreetfestival.org . Will you help? She seemed surprised that I would ask you but I have seen your heart when it comes to our canine family.
12.31.08 @ 8:31 pm
kristin,
where is wake county? we have 3 pits, all stray and rescue and love them to death. we are very involved with our local animal control center. there is no funding for sick or injured animals turned into the city but the wife of the director has taken it upon herself to establish a charity and we have raised over $5000 to date. a local vet donates his time so now animals have the care they need when abandoned/seized.
01.05.09 @ 10:13 am
I ahve two rescued dogs a chiweiner and a pit/lab mix the best dogs ever and I have a reg. weiner that has nothing but health problems thanks to noutrish dog food he is not having the same issues. I also have my mom using noutrish and she also rescues animals from cats, dogs and horses. We love the dog food and the fact it goes to help pets. Thanks Rachael my weiner was saved by your dog food.
01.08.09 @ 8:25 pm
Hi Rach, Suggest you explore a collaberation with Cesar Millan, “The Dog Whisper”. Your love of dogs and dog food line and charity may just be a match for both. He has a show on National Geographic channel on Griday nights.
01.09.09 @ 7:57 pm
I’m in wa. state, Does anyone know if any stores carries her Dog food?
01.10.09 @ 6:39 pm
her food is sold at the local pet stores like petco, petland, petsupplies plus and so on. they dont have a wide variety unfortunatly here. but that is where i would check first.
hope this helps
01.14.09 @ 10:14 pm
I did not know of RR dog food line. I am going to look for it now. I have an aging golden retriever and a mini-dachsund/yorkie pup. Hats off to you RRay and all fellow animal lovers! YEAH they are great arent they? I have horses, chickens, ducks and even a goat! They are my best friends.
02.16.09 @ 3:19 pm
I know this is well after the holiday season but I’d like to share another deadly decoration. Not many people know snow globes contain ethylene glycol (anti freeze) Poison control had little knowledge of the contents and my crusade has changed that.They use it because it keeps the liquid from freezing during transport. Most come from China, no warning label. I lost my 10 month old kitty on Christmas eve two years ago after he broke the globe, ingested the liquid by cleaning himself. Even after being dried off there was still enough toxin to shut his kidneys down and cause death in 3 days after my heroic efforts by many vets. Please do not display snow globes where pet or human can touch. I think of Charlie every day and Christmas will never be the same.
04.06.09 @ 8:30 am
Dear Rachael,
Sometimes we have trouble getting our two Huskies to come in from the yard. We just have to say one word, “Isaboo” and they come running!!! They just love those treats.:-) Thanks.
Elaine
Georgia