During the holiday season, many people become distracted with decorating the house, wrapping and opening presents and entertaining guests. However, in the process, their pets are forgotten about and many of them can get lost, ill or injured.
According to Nancy Peterson, issues specialist at Companion Animals of the Humane Society of the United States, the Thanksgiving and Christmas times are the most dangerous times during the year for pets.
“There are so many things around the house that becomes unsafe for the pets,” said Peterson, who was also a veterinary technician.
Make sure the Christmas tree is secure so any dog or cat cannot tip it over and place the electric cords out of chewing range, Peterson said.
According to Sheila Beattie, executive secretary at the Inland Valley Humane Society and SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), there are also other precautions pet owners can take to keep their pets safe during the holidays.
When entertaining guests, there should be a quiet place where the animals can retreat to when the noise gets louder and the crowd gets larger.
“I have two dogs and it's just me and the dogs,” Beattie said. “But when I have a party it can be more than 10 people and the dogs are not accustomed to that. I would put them in a separate room.
“Loud noises and stressful situations can cause them to get upset,” Beattie added.
Keeping pets calm will be beneficial for the owner and guests as well as the animal.
“Pets that are usually loving and caring can snap and suddenly bite someone. Keeping the pets in a separate area can keep the pets safe and the guests safe.”
Chicken and turkey bones should also be securely disposed of so that any pet can't get a hold of them.
These bones are hollow and can easily break.
If the animals attempt to eat the chicken or turkey bones, it can cause severe splinters in their stomach, throat or intestinal tracts.
“It can also clog their intestines,” Beattie said. “Then, it would back up the waste and basically poisons the pet. It can be fatal.”
Other holiday items that can be fatal to pets when ingested are: tinsel; icicles; breakable ornaments and other Christmas tree decorations; holiday plants, such as poinsettias, mistletoe and holly; gift wrap paper and ribbons; and chocolate, which can be toxic.
According to David Lara, community resource officer at Inland Valley Humane Society and SPCA, another important thing to do is to always make sure the animals are wearing collars with identification tags, just in case they runaway from home.
“At New Year we always receive a lot of phone calls from worried pet owners because their pets runaway during the festivities,” Lara said. “Their pets freak out from the gunshots and the loud noise.”
Knowing the number to the closest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic is the one of the most important safety measures to take, Beattie said.
“Any pet owner can look this up in the yellow pages,” Beattie said. “They are open after hours and on weekends when regular vets are not.
“It is at a higher cost, but it is worth it when their pets can be saved.”
Lara's overall message to pet owners is to be aware and to keep the pets safe.
“Pet owners should take the procedures needed to keep everyone safe and these procedures should be taken prior to holding an event,” Lara said. “You think it won't happen to you, but it's better to be safe than sorry during this time of year.”
Peterson agreed with Lara’s point of view.
“The holidays are a hectic time filled with extra fun and danger for pets,” Peterson said. “Look at the world from the pets' point of view to make the busy holidays safer for them. And spend some time with animal friends.
“After all, isn't that the best gifts you can give them?”
Nila Priyambodo can be reached at npriyambodo@ulv.edu.