Pet Safety For the Holidays

Aloha and Happy Holidays!   We enjoy the holiday season along with our four legged children, our cats and our dogs. I would like to give you some tips on making sure your holidays stay happy by bringing to your attention some facts about the season!

Poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly are among the most dangerous and your pet could experience kidney failure if he or she eats any part of a lily. Keep the out of reach! Taking care of our pets is pretty much like having a toddler in the home. You need to “child proof” your environment, in this case for your pets! If you do have an emergency you can call the animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.

When you are hosting party, many pets are not used to a lot of people coming and going on their turf! Especially young children, between the ages of 5 and 9. Hold your dog’s collar, as they sniff the palms of your guests. If your dog growls or seems agitated, move him to a room all his own. Or don’t invite those people back! Dogs are very good at judging a person’s character. If my dog doesn‘t like somebody, I generally do not invite them in.

Don’t feed turkey or chicken bones to your dog. They can splinter and choke your pet or cause other internal damage. Onions, garlic, grapes, raisin and candy, especially sugar free candy are all toxic to your best friend. Get them special dog and cat treats for the occasion. Chocolate is also very bad for your pet. The caffeine and other ingredients in chocolate is toxic to pets and can last for more than 24 hours.

Here in Hawaii, a lot of fireworks are set off for New Year’s Eve. Make sure you call your vet and get some sedatives for your dog. Cats, I have never had a problem with, they don’t like the noise, but they will go find a hiding spot and stay there. The general rule is to give your dog 1mg per body weight of your dog. Of course, ask your vet! However, sedatives effect each animal differently. My 45 pound Bob dog would be saggy eyed and staggering on one 25 mg sedative from the vet. Be careful with sick or elderly animals. If you haven’t had a recent check up for your dog, and you can’t pick up a sedative from your vet, you can use over the counter, Benadryl. They come in 25 mg tablets and I found them to be less effective, so I would give more. You need to tranquilize your dog at least an hour before all the noise and bomb blasts start. Bring them inside and avoid the danger of them chasing after the fireworks, or getting lost.  I hope you can take advantage of this advice! If you know of any other dangers to your animals, please leave a comment, especially if you have cats that have reactions to fireworks, since I have never experienced that.

I saw a funny picture the other day of a cat looking at a Christmas tree with the caption saying, “Oh Christmas Tree, oh Cfhristmas Tree, your ornaments are history!” This is so true! I always use my cheap decorations lower on the tree or you can tie you tree to the ceiling. I noticed when they were young they really went for the tree, but now, I have less broken ornaments. I alswyas have a squirt bottle full of water and just give your baby a spritz with the water, that will keep kitty away from the tree, at least for when you are not looking! You can also use string instead of the little metal hooks to hang your ornaments.

This blog is in memory of my best friend and beloved Bob, who was with me for 15 and a half years. Thank you, Bob, for all the wonderful memories. I wish we had another Christmas together. Be happy at Rainbow Bridge and I will see you again!

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