Deck the Halls, Safely!
Decorating for the holidays? Here are some tips to avoid common holiday mishaps from a veterinary perspective.
Keep curious chewers in mind! Puppies and kittens are especially prone to exploring with their mouths. Keep electrical cords and Christmas lights out of reach to prevent chewing, burns, or electrical shock. Consider skipping the tinsel. If swallowed, it can cause a serious intestinal blockage.
Christmas Trees. If your cat likes to scale the Christmas tree, make sure it’s securely anchored to prevent tipping. Prevent your pet from accessing the water well of a live tree, which can cause some GI upset. Avoid adding chemicals to the water, just in case your pet sneaks a sip!
Decorate with care. Holiday plants like poinsettias can cause mouth irritation or stomach upset if ingested. Keep decorative plants well out of reachāor consider using fake plants instead of the real thing.