Holiday Safety Thought #2

Christmas decorations create a beautiful and an almost magical display in our homes.  For us humans these pretty ornaments and plants are understood to be just that - decorations. However, our pets are often fascinated with these new "toys" that seem to them to offer fun, play, and even a treat to munch on.  Please take great care and protect your precious dogs, cats, and other pets!

Christmas trees need to be secured so they can't topple over if our pets try to jump on or climb.  Fast moving dogs can upside down an unsteady tree in a heart beat. Locate the tree where it is safe from exploring critters who are curious about an outdoor tree moving inside! Friends of mine placed their tree in their enclosed porch with glass doors. The humans get to enjoy it without worrying about their pets toppling their tree or, much worse, their beloved pet getting dangerously hurt.  

I knew that eating tinsel and various ornaments can cause intestinal blockages, but I never gave much thought to the needles of the real or artificial tree. They can perforate the intestines' wall and cause life-threatening leakages and infections. This is another big reason to locate our trees out of reach of our beloved pets.

Popcorn balls or strings are yummy temptations and can cause our pets to tug at the tree and destroy our lovely evergreen. Remember that mistletoe, holly, and poinsettia plants are toxic and will poison our loving, four-legged family members  

Electrical lights and cords can electrocute and kill when chewed on or strangle when played with and our pets get wrapped up. Secure all wires

Fires in the fireplace are cozy but please protect your pet from getting burned by placing a sturdy fire screen.  One of my pups loves the warmth so much that she gets much too close. Her tail could easily go up in flames if a safe barrier were not there to keep her out of harm's way.  This applies to burning candles as well.  Keep them up and away from your pets and the possibility of getting knocked over.  A friend's apartment went up in smoke quite literally from a candle being knocked over by a wagging tail.

A good rule of thumb is to think first and use only decorations that we are absolutely positive will not become a potential danger to our pets. Err on the side of caution every time. I would rather have a safe and happy holiday than one spent in the veterinarian's hospital.

God bless you all and have a blessed, peace-filled holiday. Thank  You 

Tips for Thanksgiving Safety

Our pups can become quite determined to have some of our special Thanksgiving dinner and treats.  Even Heidi is determined to beg and receive some of our human food, going so far as to push her bowl to my feet!!  However, not all the human food is pet-friendly, and it up to us to ensure their health and well being.  Safety must be first!  And we need to be careful and attentive to make certain that our furry family members won't become sick or even worse.  We all need to remember to NOT give into their irresistible begging or my own desire to give them a "special" meal.  None of us will be very thankful if they eat dangerous food, plants, or drinks.

Here are a few things we need to keep in mind:

• Bones, raw or undercooked turkey, and heavy fats can cause distress in the digestive system. IA small bite of boneless, well-cooked turkey is okay.  We have to remember that:  1) too much of anything isn't good; 2) raw or undercooked meats can contain salmonella bacteria; 3) bones are extremely dangerous.  Check even the smallest pieces of turkey to make absolutely certain that there are no bones. 
• Small amounts are best.  Sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, tidbits of turkey, a few drops of gravy, or baked bread on top of their regular meal makes it extra special.  Please don't spoil your holiday.  Unbaked yeast can become a life-threatening situation that endangers our pets' lives.  The raw yeast in unbaked or under-baked dough creates gases that expand in the digestive tract and can cause bloat.  Bloat is a real emergency that can only be treated with emergency hospital intervention.
• Alcohol is life threatening. A drunk pet is NOT funny.  Keep all drinks high enough so their long tongues can't reach inside the glasses.   f you plan to bake Thanksgiving desserts, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.
• Desserts are delicious but raw batter contains raw eggs which may contain salmonella bacteria and cause food poisoning.  A smidgeon of baked pumpkin pie is okay!
• Special Treats for our Special Pets.  We can create a very specialmeal and occasion for our pets by buying them treats made especially for them.  We can visit our favorite pet supply store and purchase a new, safe chew treat or toy.  We can even stuff their hollowed toy with a healthy treat and give them hours of delicious enjoyment. 
• Please DO NOT overindulge our precious pets.  Upset tummies, vomiting, diarrhea, bloat, and pancreatitis threaten their lives and it our responsibility to keep them healthy and safe.
• Remember:  If it isn't good for we, the human, it isn't good for our pets either!!  Best - keep our pets on their regular diet throughout the entire holiday season.

There is also more information offered by ASPCA People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets