Healthy Pets, Happy Holidays - Keeping Your Best Friends Safe and Sound

It might be said that there are two kinds of people in this world: those who put antlers on their tiny dog at holiday time, and those who don't.

I may or may not cop to being in the former category. But if I do, it's only for the occasional five-minute photo op, and nothing more. We're more aware of his safety and comfort than perhaps our own (maybe another post on pet co-dependence should come around at some point?), and this is especially true in the days between the first Halloween candy and New Years Day black-eyed peas. Given that the candy pops up in August these days, that's a good chunk of the year.

Anyway, our dog is a part of our pack, and we're in growing company, because pets are part of more lives and households than ever. According to a 2007 survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association an all-time high of 71.1 million households in the United States, or 63 percent of all homes, house pets as well as people. This means that the animals are around for the holidays just like we are, and the stresses that can impact human beings at this time also affect them.

There is what I find to be an overwhelming amount of information online about pet care and safety. At the risk of repeating some or most of it here, I'll break it down into some broad categories, with a lot of help from my blogging friends.

No Christmas Puppies

First rule - do not bring a new pet into your home or your life during the holiday season. Or, as one of my personal pet blogging heroes, Gina Spadafori, terms her entire category on Pet Connection: "No Christmas Puppies." Scroll back through the archives to November, 2004, for a daily reason why not to purchase puppies at holiday time, specifically from puppy mills, but really from anywhere. She kicked off November this year with a similar post.

A couple years ago I wrote a reason for every day in the month leading up to Christmas why it’s important to not not not support this sick, sick industry with the purchase of a Christmas puppy. By Christmas I was feeling so little goodwill to all that it was scary. Not a good way to start the year, and I cannot repeat this particular endeavor because I have a gun and might use it. Lucky for puppy-millers, it’s really, really hard these days to fly with a gun to Pennsylvania (where the Amish, of all people, run puppy mills) or Kansas/Missouri (where the state governments encourage farmers to get into puppy farming.)

No, No. No. Instead, I will just say this: Don’t buy a pet-store puppy. Heck, don’t buy a Christmas puppy at all. Read the series, and find out more than 30 reasons why.

But what if you're careful? What if the dog or cat is not from a pet store or is even a rescue? The truth is that the holidays are not the best time to bring a new pet into your life, period. As Gina said in her series,

1) Christmas is a bad time to introduce a puppy to your family. Winter is a hard time to house-train, socialize and raise a puppy. Summer, with its longer days and better weather, is much more agreeable to the proper raising of a lifelong companion. As to Christmas Day itself … what a mess! There’s just too much going on this day, and that’s too stressful for a pup to deal with. Sick puppy on Christmas Day? It’s a real possibility. Have you priced emergency veterinary care lately? Do you even know where to go?

This article by Ruth Ginzberg on PetRescue.com gives more reasons why holiday time is a bad time to introduce a new pet to the family, and the Humane Society of the United States says that the best gift you can give is waiting to adopt until after the holidays.

Instead of buying a puppy or kitten as a gift, consider waiting to adopt a pet after the holidays. You could even build some excitement for a post-holiday adoption. You could give a loved one a "gift certificate" from a local shelter, or a snapshot of a shelter pet, or even a stuffed animal representing a shelter pet—all which can be used as "passports" to adopt an animal later. You could also wrap up some useful pet supplies—a dog bowl, a cat collar, a scratching post, or an exercise wheel for a hamster or gerbil (animals that are popular during the holidays)—and give those as "passports" as well.

This not only promotes responsible adoption, but provides a little fun, too. After the holidays, if your loved ones decide they are indeed willing and able to adopt a pet, you can bring them down to the local shelter where they can use their "passport" to adopt their new friend.

The alternative to this scenario can be sadder than the Island of Misfit Toys.

Food/Allergies/Other consumable issues

From October to January, most homes have seasonal foods on hand for parties or special dinners - not to mention the "trick or treat" chocolate and sugar fix that just passed us by. If your house is anything like mine, in fact, I'd say it's a little bit ridiculous how much food appears all of a sudden, and let's not even talk about the office. And because of the focus on heavy meals, party foods and desserts, a lot of it is rich, sweet, and altogether dangerous for pets.

Chocolate is bad for dogs and cats - bottom line. It contains a chemical called theobromine that is toxic for them, depending on the amount consumed and the size of the dog. I've unfortunately watched someone go through this entirely preventable sadness. A co-worker's fairly large lab once got into the pantry and died from eating baking chocolate. It is not just a myth - it can happen. I do a regular sweep of the house to make sure that no food has ended up on lower surfaces where my always-scavenging Boston can reach - or to where he can climb.

HeartyPet.com has a good section on pet safety in general, but specifically what is and isn't toxic for them to ingest.

HOLIDAY FOODS & BEVERAGES THAT ARE TOXIC TO PETS

* Alcoholic Beverages: Alcoholic beverages can cause alcohol poisoning. If ingested, the animal could become very drunk and weak, may become severely depressed or may go into a coma.
* Yeast Dough: Uncooked yeast dough, if ingested (most cases are with dogs) can rise in the stomach and cause severe pain. Pets who have eaten bread dough may experience abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression. Since the breakdown product of rising dough is alcohol, it can cause an alcohol poisoning. Many cases like this require surgical removal of the dough. Even small amounts can be dangerous.
* Chocolate (bakers, semi sweet, milk and dark): If ingested, chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate. This can be seen with the ingestion of as little as 1/4 ounce of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog. Chocolate poisoning does not seem to be a problem in cats, although it is possible if enough would be ingested.
* Nicotine: Tobacco products can be fatal to dogs and cats if ingested. Signs of nicotine poisonings often develop within 15 45 minutes. Symptoms include excitation, salivation, panting, vomiting and diarrhea. Muscle weakness, twitching, depression, coma, increased heart rate and cardiac arrest can follow.
* Coffee (ground, beans, chocolate covered espresso beans): Contain caffeine which is a stimulant and depending on the dose ingested, stimulation, restlessness, increased heart rate, tremors, or seizures could be seen.
* Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts can cause muscular weakness, depression, vomiting, disorientation, tremors, abdominal pain and muscle stiffness in dogs. The effects can last 1-3 days. This has not been reported in any other species.
* Grapes and Raisins: The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is aware of recent reports of dogs alleged to have developed kidney failure following ingestion of large amounts of grapes or raisins. There has also been one case of renal failure occurring in a cat who ate raisins. Veterinary toxicologists at the APCC are currently investigating these cases in an attempt to determine the causative agents or disease processes. At this time the exact role of grapes or raisins in these cases is unclear.

The Food Bowl has a post specifically about things to watch out for on and around the Thanksgiving table, and helpful links to PetEducation.com's comprehensive lists of foods to avoid for dogs and and cats.

Katrin and Monty of Monty's Training Diary have more links to poison control resources for pets.

Elaine Vigneault posted a link to the ASPCA's alert about the dangers of sweets in particular for pets this Thanksgiving. It includes a link to the ASPCA's Poison Control Center. Any questions about household items, plants or foods and their toxicity for pets can likely be answered here.

Even if your dog or cat doesn't normally scavenge for food, the holidays can be a strange time and behavior can change. I've found both of my Boston Terriers on the kitchen and dining room table because some goodie was up there that they couldn't reach without a canine reconnaisance mission, the likes of which I'd never witnessed before. And I can't tell you how panicked I was when my 14-pound female discovered a peanut butter and chocolate egg at Easter. New things can and are triggered by new sights and smells.

Pet blogger Christie Keith had a similar experience, which she wrote about in her recent article on holiday safety for pets on SFGate.com. (Your Black Cat tried to post a link to this article The link didn't work, but I might not have found it otherwise, so thanks!)

Be careful to thaw meat well out of the reach of your pets, and remember cats can get pretty much everywhere. And don't underestimate the wiliness of dogs when it comes to stealing food. I once walked into my kitchen to find that my dogs had somehow gotten my thawing Thanksgiving turkey out of the sink, and were sharing it on the kitchen floor. In addition to the potential risk to your pets, having to buy a new turkey on Thanksgiving morning is both inconvenient and expensive. Trust me on this.

And what about poinsettias, anyway? According to the ASPCA's Poison Control Center, they're not necessarily as deadly as commonly thought.

Says the APCC’s Dana B. Farbman, CVT, “In reality, ingestions typically produce only mild to moderate gastrointestinal tract irritation in pets, which may include drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.” So while it’s still a good idea to keep this plant out of your pets’ reach to avoid stomach upset, you need not banish it from your homes.

Parties, Social Stuff and General Sensory Overload

Holidays often mean people - more people, and lots of them. Does Uncle John get on your nerves? Do the little kids run around in a house normally populated by adults only? Pets used to a fairly stable environment may have trouble processing these changes. It's no fair to have 50 people over and yell at the dog for doing what dogs do - reacting to changes in the environment.

I'm making Larry from Michigan Pug Rescue a BlogHim, because his post about Thanksgiving makes a good point about pets who are anxious about new faces and noise.

Holidays bring families and friends together and may cause anxiety in your pet. There is always that chance of the quick sneak attack when your pet runs out the door as friends or family are coming in. Keep a harness or collar with an ID tag on it. The extra protection is two fold; you can grab the collar or harness when they try to run out and if they do get through your line of defense, they can be identified with the ID tag. Of course, a microchip also adds identification protection that cannot be removed. Where possible keep your furry children in a confined area to avoid sneaking out through that front door. Provide them with their bed and toys so as not to make it appear as a punishment.

SuperCoolPets.com linked to none other than Dog Whisperer Cesar Milian's 7 Tips for a Dog Wonderful Thanksgiving. (These tips can be transferred to other holiday celebrations that include the same bounty of food, drink and togetherness, of course.) This tip is the best of the bunch regarding extra people in the environment:

Educate your guests. When you have guests, let them know the dos and don'ts of the household; everyone should enforce the same rules, boundaries, and limitations.

This means you should not be afraid, as I once wasn't, to step between your dog and the relative bearing the plate of salt and vinegar potato chips, who thought "it would be funny" to see if he liked them or not. Social graces go both ways, and it's important to stick up for your pet. Comfortable? Not always, but always, always necessary.

Comings and Goings

Traveling with a pet? DoggedBlog has some great ideas. And Nona from the Roanoke Time's Happy Wag blog has tips for boarding a pet if you're traveling to (or away from) a holiday celebration.

PopArtPet has a useful list of questions to ask a potential kennel if you're the one hitting the road.

Petwork.com quoted PetSit USA owners on the importance of looking early and carefully for a place for your pet to stay while you're away. There's still some time before the December holidays kick in, even if it's way late for Thanksgiving. At least it's good advice for next year.

For those who choose to hire a professional pet sitter for the first time, it is even more crucial to begin looking for one as early as possible. Because it will be necessary to schedule what is commonly called a meet and greet, ample time will be needed to arrange this meeting. During the meet and greet, the pet sitter will come to the pet owners home to meet them and their pets, determine the exact type of care the pets will need, complete the necessary paperwork, get house keys and security codes, and go over the fees and payment options.

“Many people who have never used a pet sitting service are unaware of how popular these services are, especially during the holidays,” says Therese Kopiwoda, owner of PetsitUSA.com. “So, unfortunately, some pet parents start looking for someone to care for their pets a week or two before they leave town. Quite often what they find is that most pet sitters are already booked, so as a result they may leave their pets in a situation that is not ideal. The way to avoid this is to start looking for a pet sitter far in advance of the holiday season.”

The (Not Always So) Great Outdoors

The most wonderful time of the year is often the coldest. Depending on what part of the country you live in, it can get really cold. (Hello! Flurries in NYC today!) It's common sense of course to watch out for pets when the temperatures drop.

Carlotta at Cool Dog Hall of Fame posted about pet safety in the wintertime. Watch out for the ice, salt and chemicals on paws and on mouths, and give them extra layers if they need them.

If your dog spends a lot of time outside, take precautions. If you have a small dog or a dog who suffers from the cold, such as an Italian Greyhound, you will need sweaters or coats for him. If you live in an area where roads or sidewalks are frequently salted and you walk your dog, you probably need to get some doggy boots. The salt is bad for your dog's paws and you don't want him licking it off and ingesting it.

If your dog plays outside in the snow make sure you check his paws when he comes inside. Tiny icy snowballs will build up between his toes making him uncomfortable. Help him get rid of them.

Pet dogs really shouldn't be sleeping outside in extremely cold weather. If your dog lives outside, please make sure that he has good, warm shelter, or bring him indoors. Obviously, people with working dogs must make sure that their dogs have good shelter at all times and are well-cared for.

Another big danger in cold weather is anti-freeze. It has a sweet taste and dogs will drink it if given the chance. If you use it near your house, make sure that you put it away where your dog can't get to it and clean up any spills. It only takes a tiny amount to kill a dog. I know from experience — my brother left some out when I was a kid and my Irish Setter drank some. Even though Red was rushed to the vet for treatment, we couldn't save him. There are some dog-friendly anti-freezes now if you look for them that don't attract dogs.

Tinsel and Trimmings

Household decorations can be dangerous for pets. Christmas and Kwanzaa trees and greenery, lit menorahs, and candles for everything under the sun all present possible hazards for pets. Robin at PAW-Rescue posted this list of safety tips specific to the home environment.

* Many holiday plants can lead to health problems in dogs and cats. Among the plants to keep out of reach are holly, mistletoe, poinsettias and lilies.

* Snow globes often contain antifreeze, which is poisonous to pets.

* Pine needles, when ingested, can puncture holes in a pet's intestine. So keep pet areas clear of pine needles.

* The extra cords and plugs of holiday lights and other fixtures can look like chew toys to pets. Tape down or cover cords to help avoid shocks, burns or other serious injuries. Unplug lights when you are not home.

* Anchor Christmas trees to the ceiling with a string to keep it from falling on pets.

* Do not let pets drink the holiday tree water. Some may contain fertilizers, and stagnant tree water can harbor bacteria. Check labels for tree water preservatives and artificial snow, and buy only those that are nontoxic. Some folks use screens around trees to block access to electrical cords and gifts.

Very important: do not put aspirin in the water (some folks do this thinking it will keep the tree or plant more vigorous). If a pet ingests the aspirin-laced water, his health or even life can be at risk.

* Pets, particularly cats, can be tempted to eat tinsel, which can block the intestines. Hang tinsel high and securely to keep it out of reach of pets.

* Keep other ornaments out of reach of pets. Ingestion of any ornament, which might look like toys to pets, can result in life-threatening emergencies. Even ornaments made from dried food can lead to ailments. And remember, shards from broken glass ornaments can injure paws, mouths and other parts of the body.

* Put away toys after children open their gifts. Small plastic pieces and rubber balls are common causes of choking and intestinal blockage in dogs. Ingested plastic or cloth toys must often be removed surgically.

* Avoid toxic decorations. Bubbling lights contain fluid that can be inhaled or ingested, snow sprays and snow flock can cause reactions when inhaled, styrofoam poses a choking hazard, tinsel can cause choking and intestinal obstruction, and water in snow scenes may contain toxic organisms such as Salmonella.

* Keep candles on high shelves. Use fireplace screens to avoid burns.

Halloween may have passed, but I wasn't joking about the costumes. (I bet you knew that already.) Sheila on Care.com wrote a post about Halloween pet safety that works well for the rest of the season too.

Costumes. Some pets actually do love to play dress up—but the majority do not. And most will only put up with a costume for a short period of time before trying to extract themselves from it. If you do decide to dress up your pet for Halloween, make sure the costume fits, isn't restrictive to their movement (or with elastic that is just plain uncomfortable), doesn't obstruct their vision in any way, and has no small pieces or removable decorations that they could bite off or swallow. Check out these pet costumes from Target and PetSmart for ideas that are designed and manufactured specifically for your dog's (or cat's) size and breed.

The bottom line is, look out for your dogs and cats. Don't freak them out at parties, or trick them out in costumes so outlandish that not only will they sense that they ought to be humiliated, even if they don't know why, but they run the risk of choking or becoming overheated. Celebrate with them, but know when they've had enough. And please, please, put all that chocolate on the top pantry shelf.

Laurie White blogs at LaurieWrites.