Deck the halls with boughs of holly - but make sure that Fido and Fluffy stay safe with these tips!
The holiday season should be merry and bright for humans and our furry friends alike, but believe it or not, the festive season can be quite dangerous for pets. Here’s how to deck the halls with boughs of holly—but make sure that Fido and Fluffy stay safe!
Deck the halls
Many of the plants we associate with the holiday season, such as holly and mistletoe, are poisonous to pets. Keep these plants well out of pets’ reach. While poinsettias aren’t actually poisonous (yes, really!), animals often vomit after consuming this plant because of a sensitivity to the latex in the plant.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
While a Christmas tree may look like the ultimate scratching post, pet owners know that pets and Christmas trees can be a recipe for disaster. To make sure both stay safe:
(Don’t!) throw the dog a bone
No matter what Rufus tries to tell you, pets aren’t garbage disposals! Bones, particularly poultry bones such as turkey, can splinter and cause serious internal injury or even death when swallowed. Chocolate is also poisonous. Make sure all people in your house (even the out-of-town guests) know the rules when it comes to feeding the pets.
If you’d like to give your pet a special treat, make sure it’s specially made for animals—not humans.