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Holiday Safety Tips
Now more than ever before pets are a very big part of
family get togethers during the Holidays.
Some potentially dangerous items that cat owners need to
beware of during the holidays include:
Christmas tree lights and electrical cords can cause fatal
shocks and/or burns to cats that chew on them.
Loose cords can entangle pets, leading to choking hazards,
or the possibility of the pet accidentally pulling over the
tree or other decorations.
Holiday foods such as chocolate, alcohol, nuts and spicy
sauces can be toxic and cause Internal problems.
Bones and plastic food wrap can cause choking and/or
obstruct a pet's digestive system, and may require
surgery.
A big thing to be aware of is ribbon. It can cause serious
internal problems if swallowed.
Any open flame is a potential burn hazard. Keep pets away
from candles, fireplaces and any other open flames.
Be cautious about dressing pets in holiday-related costumes.
A CAT IN THE TREE
A Christmas tree is an invitation for disaster for any cat.
One year we had a cat that went straight up the middle of
the trunk and sat there. Wouldn't move for nothing, so out
came the water bottle, sprayed him and he never went near
it again. This happened before the tree was decorated so
the spray bottle worked. DO NOT try this if your tree is
decorated! A good idea is to put your tree up a day or
so before you decorate it to see if your cat will even go
near it, then you will know what to do.
Several scat mats may work in discouraging your cat/s from
going near the tree, but this solution can be costly and
there is no guarantee that the scat mats will work.
If you cannot put your christmas tree in a room that can be
closed off to the cat/s, you will have to take several
precautions.
Make sure the lights are unplugged if you are not in the
room. Wire is inviting and dangerous if chewed by cats,
keep it well out of reach from any curious paws. Secure
all breakable ornaments with plastic bag ties. Be very
careful of tinsel. It is dangerous to cats and kittens
if swallowed. It can wrap around their intestines so it
would be best not to even use it.
Remember:
Mistletoe, holly, Poinsettas and other Christmas plants
are poisonous to cats.
There is no easy way of keeping your cat/s away from
a christmas tree, aside from spraying the end of the
branches with anti-chew spray, you just have to be very
watchful of your cat/s around this time of year.
It's not easy being green.
- Kermit the Frog
The pigmy shrew a relative of the mole is the smallest mammal in North America. It weighs 1/14 ounce less than a dime.
