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Can you believe the holidays are already here? Seems like we look forward to this season for so long and then it flies by in a flash. That’s why it’s so important to make the best of every moment.This year, don’t let your pet turn your celebrations into ruined memories. It’s easy to take preventative steps to keep your pet safe and happy and to avoid disasters. Here are some simple holiday tips for pet owners:
1) Christmas tree decorations can be hazardous. For example, if tinsel or small ornaments are ingested they can cause intestinal obstruction. Cats, ferrets, and puppies are particularly attracted to these items. Beware of glass ornaments that may fall and shatter to cut your pet’s paws. To avoid these problems you might discontinue placing shiny tinsel and tiny or fragile ornaments on the lower branches of your tree. You could put up a barrier to block entry to the room where the tree is kept. Electrified mats can be placed around the base of your tree to deliver a mild but aversive foot shock (it feels like static electricity) that should keep inquisitive critters away. At least, rethink the ornaments you use to decorate your tree and your home so that they are pet friendly.
2) Keep children’s toys, as well as wrapping ribbons and bows, well out of reach. These too can be ingested and create emergency problems. Give your puppies and dogs attractive rawhide bones to keep their mouths busy with safer distractions.
3) Seasonal plants such as mistletoe and poinsettias may have toxic effects if ingested in sufficient quantity. Young pets in particular like to chew on novel items and pets at any age may have a habit of nibbling on house plants. Elevate seasonal plants so that they remain safely out of your pet’s reach.
4) If you are entertaining at home, keep food and appetizers away from pets by serving them from elevated surfaces. Keep that garbage can locked away, too! Or, confine your pets while you entertain your guests without distractions. You can socialize your pets to people another time…Consider boarding your pets for the day of your party so they are safe and not under foot. A crate or pen can be useful for all pets so they can be confined to a quiet part of your home. Place a ‘Do Not Enter’ sign on the door to discourage curious adults and consider locking the door to keep out visiting children.
5) If you are traveling from home for a day or several days, ask friends, family, or neighbors to care for your pet cats or pocket pets (such as ferrets, hamsters, rabbits) in your home, if possible. Pets should be confined to a pet proofed room or to their familiar cages in your absence. Dogs should be placed in their pet sitter’s home or boarded at a kennel of your choice.
6) Follow your pet’s daily routine as closely as possible. We are all creatures of habit and there is a certain comfort to that. Changes in routine are stressful and inevitable, especially around the holidays. Try to compensate for this disruption by spending more quality time with your pet. For example, if you are going to a holiday party in the evening, take your dog for an extra long walk before you get ready to go so they are content to rest while you’re gone.
7) If your pets tend to be aggressive or fearful of people, suffer from symptoms of separation anxiety, or have any other behavior problems, this is not the time to attempt to retrain them. There is too much going on to give them the attention they deserve and will require to address issues of misbehavior. Make it your New Year’s Resolution to get help for your misbehaving pet. Your pets behavior problems can be dealt with after the holidays are over. For now, avoid the situations that could become disasters. And enjoy the festivities!
Around this time of year, it is tempting to acquire a new pet as a gift. Please think about this a thousand times before you adopt a pet on any whim. Statistics show that pets that are given as gifts have a higher rate of turnover to shelters and their owners may be less tolerant of any problems that arise. Pets are living, feeling, and loving creatures that deserve to be cherished for their lifetimes. All too often, acquiring a pet when the timing is not quite right can result in their abandonment or destruction. Pets are not disposable objects. That cute and cuddly Christmas puppy or kitten will require a lot of time and energy to make certain it matures into a pet that is loved and appreciated. Perhaps the holidays are not really the best time for that kind of commitment when there are so many other distractions to consider.
Warm wishes for a happy and healthy New Year to all,
Dr. Stefanie Schwartz is the staff veterinary behaviorist for California Veterinary Specialists. Dr. Schwartz sees patients at CVS in Carlsbad Monday through Wednesday. Appointments in Orange County are offered on Thursdays at The Veterinary Neurology Center in Tustin. To make an appointment at either facility, please contact CVS at (760) 431-2273. Read more about veterinary behavior and Dr. Schwartz by clicking here.
Read more articles by Dr. Schwartz on her website: http://petbehavior.org/.