You are not alone if you think the holidays are stressful – your pets do too!  All of the rushing around, presents in the house, wrapping paper, decorations, lights, food, smells, the tree, guests etc. create a different environment for and upset the routine of your pets.  Consequently, as their caregiver need to take some extra precautions for them during the holidays.

The first and most obvious area of concern relates to food.  Certain foods can be toxic to the animal.  These can include:

• chocolate
• alcoholic beverages
• coffee
• onions
• salt
• yeast
• fatty foods
• grapes
• raisins
• macadamia nuts

Although you may not feed your pet any of these foods, keep your pets away from the trash, the coffee table with the snack trays and keep foods on countertops sufficiently away from the edge of the counter such that they cannot stand up and eat your turkey dinner or the package of chocolate chips you plan to use when you bake cookies.  You cannot believe the number of dogs I have seen that have gotten into the chocolate chips on the countertop or eaten a wrapped box of candy under the tree.  Discourage your guests and yourself from giving your pets treats.  Treats often result in soiled carpets and an unscheduled trip to the veterinarian.

Plants are another area of concern.  We tend to have more plants around as decorations during the holidays.  These often include

• lilies
• poinsettias
• holly
• mistletoe

These plants are poisonous to dogs and cats.

The Christmas tree itself is definitely often an attractive nuisance to the pet.  Keep the ornaments, lights and tinsel to a minimum on the lower branches.  Electrical wires can be chewed with fatal results to the pet and also cause a serious fire.  Ornaments and tinsel are sometimes ingested.  Cats, kittens and puppies seem to be especially attracted to the tree and all of its glitter.  Very often a cat will try, with great success, to eat a ribbon.  Unfortunately, ribbons do not pass well through the intestinal tract, and; therefore, must be removed surgically.

Lighted candles can also stimulate the curiosity of your cat with serious consequences.  Obviously, the wax and flame can burn the pet and perhaps cause a fire in the home.  Be sure you have a good fireplace screen that will keep the pet away from the fire and hot ashes.

Finally, be especially sure that all of your pets have collars with identification tags on them at all times.  With guests in the house  and extra activities, it is easier for them to slip out and, perhaps, go unnoticed for a longer period of time.

If you do suspect a health problem with your pet whether from too much of the holidays or otherwise, please make an appointment to see your veterinarian immediately.  Waiting to see if the pet will get better or postponing the visit until the holidays are over is risky for the animal and will likely result in a greater expense to the owner.

Certain of the information in this article was gratefully derived from the SPCA of Texas website.