Tips for a Safe Pet Holiday

This will be our 2nd Christmas with our dog, Murphy.  The good thing is that he’s pretty much done with all of that annoying puppy chewing and destroying of things that don’t belong to him…LOL!  But that doesn’t mean that he won’t become curious with all of the the commotion going on during the holidays.

Keeping your furry family members safe during the holidays can be a difficult task. Many pet parents plan to include their furry companions in the festivities. This holiday season, it’s important to be mindful of your pet’s eating and exercise habits. Also, remember to steer pets clear from harmful toys and other gifts. Dr. Julie Hansen, DVM, cVMA is the Program Chair of the Veterinary Technology program at Argosy University, Twin Cities.

Here are Dr. Hansen’s tips for a Pet Safe Holiday:

Great DOG gift ideas:

• Stuffed animals with squeakers (be sure to make sure the dog doesn’t “liberate” the squeaker and swallow it!)
• Chewing treats: look for products with the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal of approval. These will help reduce plaque and tartar. See http://www.vohc.org/AcceptedProductsTable.pdf
• Sweaters and coats for small dogs in cold weather
• Boots for dogs that love to go for long walks in the snow
• Tennis balls and soft frisbees for dogs that love to retrieve
• Treats! But give in small quantities

Great CAT gift ideas:

• Scratching posts and boxes
• Hiding spaces – boxes, tunnels, cat condos
• Anything with catnip!
• Small balls to chase (but not if you also have a dog that might eat them!)
• Treats, especially dental chewing treats!
• Toys you can use to play WITH your cat

Gifts to avoid:

• Any toy too small for your dog – choose toys that they can’t swallow
• Deer or elk antlers – these natural chews are unfortunately too hard and can easily break teeth
  • If your dog is a big chewer, look for softer chewing items (Kong products are great) that won’t be able to be chewed apart easily
  • Don’t leave your dog unsupervised with anything they can chew apart
• Human “treats” – especially anything with chocolate, raisins, and/or macadamia nuts – all of these are toxic to dogs
• Avoid toys with strings or ribbons that your cat could ingest, unless they are always supervised while playing

Murphy just had a birthday and has already killed the stuffed “squirrel” so I’m sure he’ll be looking forward to a few new things under the tree as well.  Are you planning to get your pet a few gifts this Christmas?