Holiday Pet Safety for Altadena
Our lovely moderate climate means pets do not have to worry about dangerously cold, snowy weather, but that doesn’t mean there are no threats to be had! The holiday season is one where festive decorations and sumptuous foods take center-stage. Yet these items can cause serious damage to our pets when played with or ingested. What’s more is that parasites such as fleas, ticks, and heartworms don’t take any holiday in our moderate climate—they’re a threat all year long. Take our holiday pet safety tips to heart and help your pet steer clear of some of the holiday cheer.
Parasites for Every Season
Since we enjoy warmer weather all-year round, parasites are a constant presence. Year-round parasite prevention is essential for Southern California pets, keeping them safe from fleas, ticks, and heartworms, which are transmitted through mosquito bites. While these pests are a nuisance, they also harbor some serious diseases such as Lyme disease, which can cause extensive complications to our pet’s health and well-being. Keep up the parasite prevention throughout the holiday season to keep those pests at bay!
Deck the Halls with Your Pets in Mind
Beyond the constant pests, decorations present another danger. Many of the festive décor we pull out for the holidays can be a tempting play-thing to our pets. Yet playing with fragile ornaments, nibbling on holly, and swatting at the Christmas tree can turn from harmless fun to a harmful situation. Keep these decorations out of paw’s reach!
- The Christmas tree can easily topple over when climbed or played with.
- Ornaments can shatter and damage paws and mouths or be ingested and cause intestinal obstruction.
- Tinsel is a cat’s dream toy, but its fragile nature means a playful nibble becomes a swallow, and even very small pieces can cause damage to your cat’s digestive system.
- Holly and mistletoe are both toxic to pets and can cause digestive upset and obstruction.
Keep the Feast to Yourself
It might sound selfish, but your human foods, even the healthy ones, can be toxic to your pet and cause them serious harm. Don’t share any of these holiday foods:
- Baked goods are too sweet and rich for pets to handle well. The high sugar and fat content can cause digestive upset resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
- Fatty meats like ham, turkey skin, and gristle, even in small amounts, can cause a serious condition called pancreatitis which can be fatal.
- Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in candies and some baked goods, so keep your pet away from the treats!
- Onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks are all a poisonous to our pets. Don’t share any dishes that contain one or more of these pungent veggies.
Should you have any questions or concerns about holiday pet safety, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
