Happy Holidays: Making the Season Pet-Friendly
Provided by Pfizer

We spend a great deal of time planning for fall and winter holidays. From October to January, our minds are filled with party plans, decorating schemes, menus and gift ideas for Halloween, Thanksgiving and the host of December holidays. With a little additional planning, we can help our pets safely enjoy the festivities as much as we do.

• Keep potentially poisonous holiday plants out of your pet's reach. Poinsettias, holly and mistletoe can be toxic to animals. Consider using artificial plants instead.

• When trick or treating rolls around, keep pets away from Halloween candy. Be sure to store chocolate and sweets out of reach. Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant that is toxic to dogs.

• Always keep candles - for jack-o-lanterns or holiday decorations - out of your inquisitive pet's reach to avoid singed whiskers or fur, and even house fires.

• Decorate with care. That red and green tree ornament may shimmer beautifully on the tree, but in your pet's mouth or under a paw, it can easily break and cause harm. Place decorations out of your pet's reach. Also pay attention to ribbon and tinsel. If ingested, these are two holiday items that can wreak havoc on his digestive system.

• If gifts are placed under the Christmas tree, take care to keep food gift items out of your pet's reach.

• Be sure your dog or cat is comfortable around unfamiliar decorations, such as trees or wreaths, before leaving her alone in the house.

• Avoid sharing holiday meals with pets. Dogs may experience digestive upset or other problems after eating foods uncommon to their diets. If you are hosting a holiday gathering, provide a small bowl of dog treats on the buffet, with a sign explaining that human treats may make your dog ill, but the dog treats are just fine.

• Keep turkey bones away from dogs. Turkey or chicken bones may splinter when chewed and can break into sharp pieces that may cut or tear the digestive tract. Instead, provide chewing treats specifically designed for dogs.

• Secure all electric cords out of your pet's vision range and reach - including those used for decorating purposes. These present the same danger of electrocution to our pets as they do to our children.

• When planning holiday getaways, consider what's best for your pet. If traveling makes him nervous or lodging will be difficult to find, leaving him with pet sitters or in a kennel may be the best idea. If boarding is a comfortable option, be sure to make your reservations early to ensure a spot in your first-choice kennel