The season is here again. The holiday that packs tons of social activities among families and friends. While humans would be busy enjoying the spirit of Christmas, it is worthy of note that some animals are not left out and would also share in the same spirit.
As pet owners, have you thought of ways to keep your pet safe during Christmas? What factors have you put into consideration when your pet’s safety during Christmas is on the line?
It is critical that understand how delicate this season is, although fun and cheerful, can quickly turn the story around for your pets. One should remain vigilant around your pet.
More attention should be paid into what your pet eats during the festive season. You would have to – being particular about what they eat – make sure you don’t share human food with your dog, cat, goat, or whatever pet you own.
You should also be careful with the way you leave food around in places your pets might quickly get access to.
Some frequent snacks and tests we enjoy during the holiday – especially avocado, ham, macadamia nuts, raisins, and grapes – can lead to some severe health complications, and in some cases, death.
You may have to be strict with your pet during this period, so you don’t fall for their pleading tricks like crying and smooching. Sometimes being strict is just what is best for your pets during Christmas.
We know that cats and dogs metabolize and digest foods differently. So it might be best not to feed them the same food we eat, especially since our food goes through the delicate process of cooking and preparation that may not suit your pet’s well-being.
In other words, food that may be perfectly fine for us can as well be poisonous to them.
You might have to keep your pet away from spots you keep your Christmas presents (under the tree), handbags, socks, left-over foods, and other stuff that they might feed on and get sick.
You can’t expect your dog always to choose what’s right for them; it’s vital that you make the right choice for them.
Dogs enjoy eating chocolate, even when it’s bad for their health, and chocolates are mostly shared during Christmas. It’s imperative that you keep your pet dog far from foods that might make them sick.
There are simple sure ways to keep your pet safe during Christmas, but it’s essential that you know what food you need to keep far from your pet’s.
It is also necessary that you immediately contact your local vet if you suspect your pet has eaten something that won’t go well with their body system.
Foods that aren’t safe for pet
- Caffeine and alcohol are not suitable for your pets.
- You don’t want to feed your cats or dogs grapes, fruit cake or Christmas pudding because they are deadly to them. Their kidneys would typically be affected. It not only causes vomiting, lethargy excessive thirst, it can also be fatal to them.
- Chocolate for cats and dogs can cause elevated heart rates, diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures.
- There is an abundance of persin in avocados, which can cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, cardiac arrest, and even death. Pet birds are especially sensitive to persin, so you shouldn’t feed it to any of your pets since you don’t know how they might react to it.
- Chives and onions contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can cause anemia and damage red blood cells.
- Feeding your pet dog macadamia nuts can cause weakness, vomiting, and tremors if consumed by dogs.
- Xylitol, which is a popular ingredient in sugarless gum and sugarless treats, is extremely unhealthy and can cause hypoglycemia in dogs. This can also lead to liver failure and seizures.
- The pits and seeds of plums, peaches, apples, and persimmons contain a substance that degrades to cyanide. Cyanide is generally known to be toxic. Pits of peaches are choking hazards that can lead to blockages and cause significant damage to the intestine.
- Pork crackling, turkey skin, fatty meats, and sausages not only excess calories but can cause vomiting, intense pain, and bloody diarrhea. This definitely isn’t the right way to keep your pets safe during Christmas.
- Blockages in the small intestine can occur if you feed your pet sweet-corn cobs, and this might have to be surgically removed. Do not allow your dog to chew on that.
Choosing the right Christmas decorations
The above-listed foods aren’t the only thing your pet might find tasty during the festivities. You should put the health of your pets into consideration when picking your Christmas decorations at the store.
Ensure that the decorations aren’t hazardous for your animals. Be sure to avoid toxic plants, and also make sure you pick a safe tree. Be careful enough to keep your pets away from swallowing light bulbs or chewing on power cords.
Delicate ornaments and sharp objects should also be kept appropriately, so your animals don’t get access to them. You may want to skip the tinsel if you own a cat, as they may accidentally ingest it, and this may cost you.
Animal-friendly decorating techniques you can try;
- Ensure you firmly secure your Christmas tree to the floor, ceiling, or wall and that the tree won’t easily topple over.
- Keep small decorations and lights away from your pet.
- Switch to solar or battery-operated candles. You could decorate your home using shatterproof ornaments like those made from paper, wood, or plastic.
- You may have to cover cords with tapes or plastic casings.
- LED light seems more efficient, durable, and cool to the touch.
- Unplug lights and other electrically powered decorations when not in use.
Since Christmas is the season of sharing, there are many other ways you can spoil your pets. Pet food can be frozen or added to their toys so that your pets can slowly extract the food.
You could take your pets for a walk or play fetch. Also, restrict too many people from feeding your pet as you might lose track of what is being fed to your animal.
These are possibly the best ways to keep your pets safe during Christmas. If you have suggestions or questions, kindly use the comments section below. Merry Christmas in advance.
