Veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne joins Jeff to offer tips on keeping your pet safety over the holiday. She has some very specific – and important – advice on decorating as well as plants and foods to avoid. Listen to Dr. Carol on Need to Know with Jeff Angelo
The holiday season is here and that means more fun, more celebration, and more time spent with family and friends. But if you’re a pet owner, it also means more risks and potential dangers that could put your furry friend in harm’s way.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the common risks for pets during the holidays, how to prevent them from happening, pet safety tips for traveling, creating a pet-friendly home, holiday treats and toys for pets, emergency pet care tips, and pet insurance and care during the holidays.
So let’s get started and make sure your pet is safe this holiday season!
Introduction to Pet Safety During the Holidays
The holiday season is an exciting time for all of us, but it can also be a risky time for our pets. With the festivities, decorations, and visitors, it can be difficult to keep your pet safe — but it’s important to do so. Pets can get easily overwhelmed and stressed by all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, so it’s important to take the necessary steps to keep them safe and sound.
Here are some tips to help keep your pet safe during the holidays:
- Be aware of the potential risks and hazards
- Be mindful of your pet’s activity
- Make sure your pet is supervised
- Keep decorations and plants out of reach
- Keep your pet away from the food
- Provide a comfortable and safe space for your pet
By following these tips, you can help make sure your pet is protected and safe throughout the holiday season.
Common Holiday Risks for Pets
The holidays can be a dangerous time for pets, so it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and hazards. Some of the most common risks and hazards include:
- Poisoning: Many holiday decorations and plants can be poisonous if ingested by pets, so it’s important to keep decorations and plants out of reach and away from your pet.
- Stress: The holidays can be a stressful and hectic time for pets, so it’s important to create a calm and peaceful space for your pet and to be mindful of their activity.
- Injuries: With the added decorations and visitors, it’s important to be aware of your pet’s activity and keep them supervised.
- Eating: The holiday season is a time for celebration, which can mean more food and treats for our pets. But it’s important to keep your pet away from the food and to provide them with their own treats and toys.
By being aware of these potential risks and hazards, you can help keep your pet safe this holiday season.
Tips for Prevention During the Holidays
The best way to keep your pet safe this holiday season is to be proactive and take the necessary steps to prevent accidents and injuries. Here are some tips to help keep your pet safe during the holidays:
- Keep decorations and plants out of reach: Many holiday decorations and plants can be poisonous if ingested by pets, so it’s important to keep decorations and plants out of reach and away from your pet.
- Be mindful of your pet’s activity: With the added decorations and visitors, it’s important to be aware of your pet’s activity and keep them supervised.
- Provide a comfortable and safe space: The holidays can be a stressful and hectic time for pets, so it’s important to create a calm and peaceful space for your pet.
- Keep your pet away from the food: The holiday season is a time for celebration, which can mean more food and treats for our pets. But it’s important to keep your pet away from the food and to provide them with their own treats and toys.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your pet is safe this holiday season.
Pet Safety While Traveling
Traveling with your pet during the holidays can be a great way to get away and spend some quality time together. But it’s important to make sure your pet is safe and secure while traveling. Here are some tips to help keep your pet safe while traveling:
- Make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations: Before traveling, make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations and has a valid health certificate.
- Use a pet carrier or crate: Make sure to use a pet carrier or crate that is safe and comfortable for your pet.
- Make sure your pet has access to food and water: Make sure to bring enough food and water for your pet, and make sure they have access to it throughout the trip.
- Plan for rest stops: Make sure to plan for frequent stops so your pet can use the bathroom and get some exercise.
By following these tips, you can help make sure your pet is safe and secure while traveling this holiday season.
Tips for Creating a Pet-Friendly Home
Creating a pet-friendly home is one of the best ways to keep your pet safe during the holidays. Here are some tips to help create a pet-friendly home:
- Keep decorations and plants out of reach: Many holiday decorations and plants can be poisonous if ingested by pets, so it’s important to keep decorations and plants out of reach and away from your pet.
- Be mindful of your pet’s activity: With the added decorations and visitors, it’s important to be aware of your pet’s activity and keep them supervised.
- Provide a comfortable and safe space: The holidays can be a stressful and hectic time for pets, so it’s important to create a calm and peaceful space for your pet.
- Keep your pet away from the food: The holiday season is a time for celebration, which can mean more food and treats for our pets. But it’s important to keep your pet away from the food and to provide them with their own treats and toys.
By following these tips, you can help create a pet-friendly home this holiday season.
Holiday Treats and Toys for Pets
The holiday season is a great time to spoil your pet with some special treats and toys. Here are some tips for choosing the right holiday treats and toys for your pet:
- Choose treats and toys that are safe: Make sure to choose treats and toys that are safe and non-toxic for your pet.
- Make sure the treats and toys are age-appropriate: Make sure to choose treats and toys that are age-appropriate for your pet.
- Limit treats and toys: Make sure to limit the amount of treats and toys you give your pet.
- Monitor your pet’s activity: Be mindful of your pet’s activity and make sure they’re not playing too hard or too long.
By following these tips, you can help make sure your pet is safe and sound while enjoying the holiday treats and toys.
Emergency Pet Care Tips
In the event of an emergency during the holidays, it’s important to be prepared and have a plan in place. Here are some tips to help prepare for an emergency:
- Have the contact information of your veterinarian on hand: Make sure to have the contact information of your veterinarian on hand in case of an emergency.
- Know where to find emergency pet care: Make sure to research and know where to find emergency pet care in your area.
- Have a pet first-aid kit: Make sure to have a pet first-aid kit on hand in case of an emergency.
- Have a plan: Make sure to have a plan in place for your pet in case of an emergency.
By following these tips, you can help make sure you’re prepared for an emergency this holiday season.
Pet Insurance and Care During the Holidays
Having pet insurance is a great way to keep your pet safe and secure during the holidays. Pet insurance can help cover the cost of emergency pet care, as well as routine vet visits and vaccinations.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right pet insurance for your pet:
- Research pet insurance companies: It’s important to research and compare different pet insurance companies to find the right one for you and your pet.
- Read the fine print: Make sure to read the fine print and understand the coverage and limitations of the policy.
- Choose a policy that fits your needs: Make sure to choose a policy that fits your needs and budget.
By following these tips, you can help make sure your pet is safe and secure during the holiday season.
Conclusion
The holiday season is an exciting time for all of us, but it can also be a risky time for our pets. With the festivities, decorations, and visitors, it can be difficult to keep your pet safe — but it’s important to do so.
By being aware of the potential risks and hazards, taking the necessary steps to prevent accidents and injuries, traveling safely with your pet, creating a pet-friendly home, providing your pet with holiday treats and toys, preparing for an emergency, and having pet insurance, you can help make sure your pet is safe this holiday season.
So let’s all make sure to keep our furry friends safe and sound during the holidays!
Dr. Carol Osborne is an author and world-renowned integrative veterinarian of twenty-plus years. After graduating from the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Carol completed a prestigious internship at the Columbus Zoo. Shortly afterward, she launched a very successful private practice and became the founder and director of the non-profit organization, the American Pet Institute.
Dr. Carol offers traditional veterinary care for dogs and cats with a softer, natural touch. Her approach highlights the importance of nutrition and utilizing holistic avenues in combination with traditional treatments. Currently, she offers holistic therapies and traditional veterinary medical care for dogs and cats at the Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Call our Office Today at (855) 372-2765 or complete this Form to Email our Office.