Top 7 Tips For A Cautious Christmas With Pets

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — We're deep into the holiday season, as we gather to celebrate one another over food, drinks, games and other fun. There's more than one reason to be cautious — for example, if you've got pets.

Many potential hazards face our furry friends, and this time of the year can be very exciting yet at the same time very stressful not only for you, but for your pets as well.

Here are some pet safety tips from Cynthia Eldredge, VMDat the Croton On Hudson Veterinary Clinic:

1. It is important to watch that pets aren’t getting into unusual or unsafe foods during the holidays. Be clear with visitors and guests to avoid feeding table scraps, especially bones, and sweets that could contain xylitol, raisins or chocolate, which can be hazardous.
2. Adding many new treats to your pet’s diet may cause GI upset. It may be best to stick to items you know they like and tolerate well as presents.
3. Eating ornaments, tinsel, ribbons or parts of evergreens can be hazardous and create blockages or severe damage to the intestinal tract.
4. Chemicals added to Christmas tree water can be dangerous to drink.
5. Candles should not be left unattended with pets.
6. Firestarter logs have harmful chemicals that can cause problems if eaten.
7. Some holiday plants can be poisonous as well — ivy, holly, mistletoe and poinsettia for example.
8. If you're having visitors, and doors opening and closing a lot, make sure pets that are prone to sneak outside have tags or a microchip in case they get out and get lost.