Tips To Keep Your Furry Friends Warm, Safe This Holiday Season

SALEM, MA — The holidays are a wonderful time to snuggle on the couch, by the fire or next to the Christmas tree with your little furry friends.

But this time of year can also be a dangerous one for pets with people treats that are toxic for dogs and cats, and harsh weather that can harm our four-legged pals if they are not properly protected.

"Most people with dogs know that they need to keep them away from chocolate, but there are plenty of other possible hazards related to the winter holidays that they may not be aware of," said Susan O'Bell, service director of Angell Animal Medical Center’s Primary Care Department. "Plus, with chocolate and other things they might eat, there are a lot of factors to consider before rushing into the emergency room."

"We love our pets, but many of them have been known to get a hold of things that they aren't supposed to, and chances are that might be easier for them to do when we're distracted or busy."

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O'Bell recommends watching out for these hazards in particular:

• Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which can cause serious illness or even death if too much is consumed.
• Alcohol can be harmful to humans, but also to pets, as it causes their blood sugars and blood pressure to drop, which can lead to seizures and respiratory failure.
• Stagnant water sitting in a Christmas tree holder can be a breeding ground for bacteria that may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea if consumed by a pet.
• Holiday plants pose varying dangers to pets: Eating holly and mistletoe may cause gastrointestinal upset, all parts of lilies are toxic to cats and could potentially cause life-threatening kidney failure, and poinsettias may cause upset stomach.
• Decorations, including ribbons and tinsel, are not necessarily toxic, but may result in gastrointestinal blockage that could be life-threatening.

"Regardless of what your pet eats, we recommend checking in with your vet before heading to the emergency room," O'Bell said. "Your primary care provider knows your pet best, so if you’re able to tell them what was eaten, they can determine based on factors like size, breed, and history whether you should go to a hospital or if there’s an at-home remedy you can try.

"However, if your primary care practice isn’t able to field a call, you should check in with poison control or a local emergency room because time could be of the essence."

O'Bell said the winter season can also pose a danger outdoors.

Ice melt can burn dogs' paws, so boots and other paw coverings are recommended for areas where it is necessary to use it.

Even outdoor cats should be kept inside when temperatures are at their most frigid.

"Cats that are outside in cold weather might try to stay warm in car wheel wells or under hoods," O'Bell said. "If people don’t know about the cats, they could start the car, which can cause severe burns."

She also recommended sweaters and coats for short-haired dogs, such as beagles, greyhounds, chihuahuas, bulldogs and pitties, noting that owners should make sure clothing does not restrict movements, which could lead to injury.

Experts also recommend setting up "safe spaces" for dogs and cats when guests are around — especially if they are not used to large crowds or strangers in their homes. This will cut down on anxiety and limit chances for a nip, scratch, hiss or bark.

Even friendly dogs may become territorial, so it is advised that dogs that don't know each other be introduced outside of the home with a crate available if a separation is necessary.

More holiday safety advice may be found on the MSPCA-Angell's website.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)