South Texas Living Magazine (1) Dec. 2014 | Page 4

Pet Safe

The 12 Days of
Pet-Safe Holidays
(Family Features)
Pictured: Sadie and Chico Goetsch

The holidays can be a hectic time
for everyone. While you're busily
gearing up for guests and parties,
it's important to remember your
pet's safety to ensure a festive and
fun season is enjoyed by all.
From bright decorations to holiday
house guests, it can be easy to
overlook a few household dangers
that may cause harm to your
favorite companions. Here are a
few things to keep in mind to keep
your fuzzy friend safe and jolly this
holiday:
12. Covered Cords: Cords used
for holiday lights can be tempting
to chew for many pets. Take time
while decorating to tape down
or cover cords to help prevent
shocks, burns or other serious
injuries.
11. Tempting Table Scraps: Rich
scraps such as drippings, gravy
and poultry skin can cause pets
to suffer from upset stomach,
diarrhea and even pancreatitis,
which are not only terribly painful
but can be fatal. Giving your dog
poultry bones is also a bad idea as
they can splinter and get stuck in
your dog's gastrointestinal tract.
10. Radiant Ribbons: Cats may
be interested in playing with or

eating tinsel and ribbons hanging
from trees. These decorations
should be placed high on the tree
or not used at all because they can
potentially cause serious intestinal
damage if swallowed.

poisonous for dogs, so skip them
as decorations or make sure they
are out of reach.

4. Guarded Glasses: Alcohol and
pets do not mix. Place alcoholic
drinks safely out of reach and patrol
9. Dinging Doorbells: Consider the party to be sure your guests do
putting your dog on a leash before the same. Alcohol poisoning can
people start arriving. Not only will be fatal.
you be able to control him if he
begins to jump, you'll also avoid 3. Calming Coats: Using a
him running out the door.
ThunderShirt can calm a nervous
dog by applying gentle pressure
8. Tasty Treats: Keep human party to the body. In addition to the
snacks out of reach from animals traditional coat, there are now
and offer pet-friendly options cold weather ThunderSweater and
instead, such as BLUE Santa Stew ThunderCoat options.
Holiday Feast and Santa Paws
Snacks.
2. Nearby Numbers: Keep contact
information for your veterinarian
7. Quiet Corners: Provide pets and the nearest emergency
with a quiet place to retreat so they veterinary clinic readily available in
can choose whether to come out case of a holiday mishap.
and visit or keep to themselves
when company arrives.
1. Towering Tree: Seasonal trees
are sure to attract a pet's attention
6. Patient Puppies: Tell your guests and should be secured to keep
that your puppy is in training, and from toppling over if a pet should try
he needs to be polite before they to climb them, use as a scratching
say "hello" to him. Have your dog post or simply bump into them.
sit, using a treat if necessary, and
once he's sitting and calm let your For mor