KCAC: 8 Ways To Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season
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Christmas and New Year’s and all the days in between can be a stressful time for our furry friends, especially if most of the festivities are at your home.
So Kane County Animal Control is offering this countdown of eight safety tips to make your pet’s holiday season merry and bright.
Tip #1: Give Your Pet a Quiet Place for the Holidays
Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to — complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the celebrations.
A soft playing radio will also help to minimize the noise coming from your guests.
Tip #2: Get Animal-Loving Guests Involved
If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you’re busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or combing/petting session.
Tip #3: Keep Meds Safely Out of Reach
Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too.
Tip #4: Don’t Leave Lighted Candles Unattended
Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface.
And if you leave the room, put the candle out!
Tip #5: Keep Your Tree Safe and Standing Upright
Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water — which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset — from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea.
Remember to keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach. Pick up those pine needles as they may get stuck in the fur of your pet’s paws or be ingested.
Tip #6: Fill Pets’ Stockings With Non-Risky Toys and Treats
Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kong’s that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible.
Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery.
Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer.
For more exciting pet gift ideas, head to www.thegoodypet.com.
Tip #7: Be Aware of Poisonous Holiday Plants
Plants make a house warm, cozy and pretty but many cats love to eat plants. Make sure to keep poisonous ones away from pets.
This includes Poinsettia, Lilly, Amaryllis, Mistletoe and Holly.
Tip #8: Keep Pets Away From Dangerous, Unhealthy Holiday Food
We all know not to feed our pets chocolate or anything sweetened with xylitol. Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food or the left overs in the garbage.
Fatty, spicy foods and bones should not be fed to your furry loved ones.
If your celebration includes adult cocktails, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get them. Keep your pet safe and healthy and not spent at the emergency vet. Pets, too, can join in our festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly vet bills.
SOURCES: Kane County Animal Control / ASPCA website
About Kane County Animal Control
Kane County Animal Control oversees rabies registration, protects public safety and ensures the humane care of animals through sheltering, pet placement, education and animal law enforcement. KCAC is responsible for the enforcement of the County Animal Control Ordinance. Together with local law enforcement and city animal controls, KCAC ensures the humane treatment of animals in Kane County. Depending on where you live in Kane County, you may be served by your local animal control facility, your police department, a state-level agency, or KCAC. For more information, visit the KCAC website and Facebook page.
