FixNation’s Top 10 Tips!
Whatever holiday you celebrate this year, make sure it’s a safe and healthy one—and that includes your four-legged family members! Here are some of our favorite suggestions, courtesy of FixNation’s clinical team:
Beware of wires, batteries and breakables. Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of kitty’s reach to prevent electrical shocks, cuts and burns.
Keep the noise down. Loud noises and celebratory poppers or noisemakers can scare pets. Create a safe place in your home where your cat can have some peace and quiet.
Mind the salt. Homemade play dough and salt-dough ornaments (even when dry) can be a tempting salty treat for cats, but can be harmful to their health.
Stash the meds. If you have houseguests, be sure to remind them to keep all medications safety stowed in a cabinet or drawer, not a purse or suitcase. Cats are super curious!
Keep an eye on candles. To prevent house fires and painful burns, never leave your pets alone with lit candles.
No people food for pets. Many of our favorite holiday foods can be harmful to cats, including sweets, fatty and spicy foods, and alcohol. Avoid giving pets turkey or chicken bones, too.
Step away from the snow globe. Some snow globes contain ethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance to all pets. A broken snow globe can lead to a potentially fatal intoxication. Keep ‘em out of paws’ reach!
Wrapped gifts. Many cats (and their guardians!) can’t resist a wrapped gift under the tree, so keep gift-wrapped treats stashed away until it’s time to open them.
Plant to watch out for. Contrary to what most pet guardians think, poinsettias aren’t toxic to cats (although they can cause a tummy ache). The plants you really need to wary of are holly and mistletoe, which can upset stomachs and cause heart problems when eaten, and various lilies, which can cause kidney failure in cats. Keep these plants out of the house, year-round.
Christmas trees. Make sure that the tree is well secured so it can’t fall over and injure your cat. Keep the tree water covered and inaccessible so kitty can’t drink it—it can contain harmful chemicals and/or be a breeding ground for bacteria. Lastly, avoid using tinsel for decoration, as it can cause severe vomiting and an obstructed digestive tract.
We wish you a safe and happy holiday!
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