With December now upon us, most households are putting up Christmas trees, stringing lights and wrapping gifts. As we are a community that loves our animals, you’d be hard up to find a residence that doesn’t have a pet of some sort…whether it be dogs, cats…or yes, even a pig. But there are many holiday traditions that for us humans, are perfectly ok but for our furry family members could be very dangerous.
The Alberta SPCA provided us with some helpful tips to keep our pets safe during the holiday season.
- Keep Christmas plants out of your pet’s reach. Many plants including poinsettias, mistletoe berries, holly and amaryllis can cause your pet to become ill.
- Be aware of decorations that could be dangerous to your animal. Watch out for hooks on tree ornaments, tinsel or ribbon that is easily swallowed, and glass decorations that are prone to breaking.
- If you’ve seen the popular holiday hit movie “National Lampoons Christmas Vacation”, you’ll know that Christmas lights can be pretty dangerous for pets. Be careful with electrical wires; unplug your lights when you’re not around to supervise your pet. Before plugging wires back in, check them to make sure your pet has not chewed them.
- Secure your tree to the wall or ceiling with hooks and sturdy fishing line to prevent your tree from being toppled by climbing cats and curious dogs.
- If you have a real tree, cover the water at the base of the tree. Pine sap mixed with water can cause diarrhea, mouth sores, vomiting and loss of appetite. Additionally, pine needles can get lodged in an animal’s throat which can cause difficulty swallowing or choking.
- The holiday season is the time to spend with family and friends. However, visitors can make pets feel anxious. Be sure your pets have a quiet place to escape the bustle of holiday guests.
- There are a number of foods that we enjoy, but can be fatal to pets. Stick to your pet’s normal food and treats, and be sure to ask your guests not to feed your pets.
- Be aware of what you’re putting under your tree. Keep gifts out of your pet’s reach unless you know its pet safe. A box of chocolates ingested by your curious animal can be life threatening.
- After presents are unwrapped, be sure to promptly dispose, recycle or store away paper and ribbons as they make for dangerous toys for your animal.
From the very beginning, animals have always played an important role in the Christmas season so let’s keep them safe this Christmas.
Pets In The North Pole
Hear Ye, Hear Ye there is much to do,
But the reindeer up north have caught the flu!
The presents are wrapped, the sleigh is all set,
So instead of reindeer, we’re using your pets.
Just show them this note on Christmas Eve,
So when the time comes, they’ll be ready to leave.We’ll take dogs, we’ll take snakes, we’ll take hamsters and cats.
We’ll take frogs, we’ll take lizards, we’ll even take bats!
We’ll pretty much take whatever you’ve got.
For Santa’s sleigh, we’ll need a lot.Your pet should leave when you’re asleep,
So don’t make a sound or a peep.
When your pet comes to fly the sleigh,
I’ll make them fly, I’ll show them the way.We’ll soar through the night up high in the sky.
Looking down at the houses as we fly on by.
Oh, and thank you for helping Santa Claus.
From your old pal, Santa Paws.
Source: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/funny-christmas-poem-pets-in-the-north-pole#ixzz3sucp4AhN #FamilyFriendPoems
