SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Santa Barbara Humane is offering tips to the community on how to keep your pets safe and healthy ahead of the holiday season.
Festive lights, fragile ornaments, and sweet treats all play a big role in many of our holiday celebrations.
While these holiday staples may spread joy, they can also lead to something not so merry for your pets, like an emergency trip to the veterinarian.
Before you deck the halls in your home, directors of Santa Barbara Humane said be careful with seasonal plants.
Poinsettias, holly, ivy, and mistletoe make great holiday decorations, but they are toxic if your pet ingests them.
Experts advise to keep your festive plants outside or place them somewhere in your home so your pet cannot get to them.
In addition, they advise to pet-proof your Christmas tree. Christmas trees and the ornaments hung on them can be alluring for pets in your home.
Anchoring your tree can stop it from tipping if your cat decides to climb it.
In order to prevent your ornaments from being chewed on, hang them out of reach on the tree’s upper limbs.
Also, if your pet likes to chew, be mindful of how you power your holiday lights. A wire can deliver an electrical shock if chewed, and a chewed-on battery could cause burns to your pet’s mouth and esophagus.
As for holiday sweets, try to keep them out of reach. Holiday treats can be tempting for everyone including our pets, but chocolate, grapes, raisins, and the artificial sweeteners can all cause serious health issues in cats and dogs.
