Get Your Home Pet Ready for the Holiday Season

It’s hard to believe the holiday season is here already. As you start to transform your home into a winter wonderland, be sure to consider your pets and their safety considerations. Naperville Animal Hospital is here with some helpful tips on creating a pet-friendly home this holiday season:

Avoid Dangerous Decorations

Christmas decorations come in all shapes and sizes, and many of them are very dangerous for pets. Try to opt for shatter-proof decorations that do not have tiny parts that can be swallowed. Say no to tinsel, which looks like a tempting treat to pets, and make sure any strings of lights are hung in a spot that your pet cannot reach. You should also be careful with cords, which can cause electric shock if your pet takes a bite out of them.

Choose Pet-Safe Plants this Holiday Season

Holiday plants are usually a fun and festive addition to your winter decor, but there are many of them that are toxic to pets. If you have pets, avoid bringing the following into your home:

• Poinsettias
• Lilies
• Mistletoe
• English ivy
• Holly
• Amaryllis 

Although the live version of these plants can poison your pets, there’s no harm in livening up your decor with some fake ones!

Be Careful with Your Tree

Unfortunately, real evergreen needles (and tree water) can cause gastrointestinal problems in animals, so if you have a pet that is prone to nibbling on everything, you might want to avoid real Christmas trees and instead get a faux fir tree. Try to keep decorations on the top half of the tree where curious puppies cannot reach them. If you have a cat that will knock decorations off even high branches, you might want to affix them to the tree with some floral wire.

Keep Watch Over Toxic Foods

Many favorite holiday treats are dangerous for your pets. As you start your baking and meal preparation for your holiday meals, use caution with the following ingredients that are toxic to pets:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Onions, garlic, and chives
• Xylitol
• Candy
• Nutmeg
• Raisins and grapes
• Salt
• Sugar

If you are having guests over this holiday season, be sure to let them know that these ingredients cannot be shared with your pets.

Naperville Animal Hospital is here to help you with all your pet health needs. From pre-holiday wellness checks to post-holiday training, we have the veterinary and lifestyle services to ensure your pet has a happy and healthy life. Call (630) 355-5300 to learn more.