Williams: Having a pet-friendly holiday season

The holidays should be a joyous time for families and friends, but I often wonder what our furry family members must think about this time of year. Of course they don’t know the meaning behind the holiday season. All they know is there are lots of new sights, sounds, smells and food everywhere, which can be very appealing.

However those sounds can also be scary, the smells overwhelming, and while there is an abundance of food, most of it is off limits. They certainly hear the words “no,” “leave it,” “get down,” “off,” “get away,” a lot more than usual. Maybe it’s not so appealing after all. The truth is, the holidays can be downright traumatic and potentially hazardous to pets, but it doesn’t have to be if we keep some important things in mind and follow some simple guidelines.

First up, decorations can be deadly. Therefore we need to decorate cautiously and make pet-friendly choices. Cats and some dogs, especially puppies and adolescents, are naturally curious and love to inspect new things. Can you imagine how much fun getting a hold of long, shiny strands of tinsel and ribbons on packages or tearing up wrapping paper must be to a dog or a cat? While it may be fun, ingesting tinsel and stringy ribbon can cause serious damage to a dog or cat’s intestine. Tinsel has no place in a pet-friendly home. Lights, extension cords and other electrical decorations can also be very attractive to pets. Even if your pet normally doesn’t bother extension cords and electrical outlets, the addition of new ones could very well catch their interest. It’s natural for animals to want to sniff new things, and sniffing can lead to licking, chewing and playing with. All new electrical cords should be concealed or kept out of reach and checked frequently for signs of bite marks or fraying. Never leave pets unsupervised around hot wires and electrical decorations that are turned on. If you have a live tree, keep pets away from the tree water. The chemicals added to it can make them sick.

There used to be a belief that Poinsettias were toxic to pets but this has been dispelled. However the plant isn’t meant to be consumed by humans or animals. The leaves are covered with a milky sap that can irritate the mouth and gums. So, though it won’t kill, it’s best to keep poinsettias out of reach. Mistletoe, on the other hand, can be extremely toxic to pets, so don’t even bring it into your house. If you simply must have a kissing area, opt for the artificial version! There are also many species of Holly Berries and leaves that are toxic as well. They may be pretty and seasonal, but the risk to your pet is just not worth it. Again, go artificial, artificial, and artificial!

When it comes to food, the main thing to keep in mind is that any radical, rapid change to your pet’s diet is never a good thing. The holidays are filled with rich, fatty foods and any food that is high fat, or sugar laden can upset a pet’s stomach or even cause life threatening pancreatitis if enough is consumed. However there are some foods that are extremely dangerous and should be kept away from your pets at all cost, such as onions, raisins and grapes, and of course chocolate. Do not allow your pets to consume these foods in any quantity, period! Educate all family members, especially children, and guests who come to your home about these dangers, including reminding party guests not to set down that cup of holiday-spiced egg nog or glass of wine when your pet is roaming around! Well meaning family and friends may think they’re being nice by sharing holiday foods with your pet. If you’re into baking, prepare a batch of dog biscuits (or salmon snacks for your cat) for your guests to safely give to your pet. Bite-sized pieces of meat and poultry and bits of raw or cooked veggies and fruits are always a safe and healthy choice. If your pet consumes anything questionable or potentially harmful seek veterinary advice immediately.

The commotion, hustle and bustle, and visitors can be exciting for us, but might not be for our pets. If your home is normally quiet and your daily routine predictable, drastic changes can be stressful to them. Lots of people coming in and out of your house means your door will be opening multiple times. Many pets get lost during the holiday season. If your dog (or inside cat) is not properly trained to stay inside or come back immediately when called some ground rules and procedures for guests entering and leaving should be adhered to. Untrained pets should be secured whenever the door opens and closed, either in a separate room or area, or on a leash, and definitely make sure she is wearing identification or is microchipped in case she does get out.

Dogs and cats are creatures of habit and thrive on routine and stability, which the holidays are anything but. However it is possible to have a pet-friendly holiday season without giving up all our fun if we remember not to let Fido and Fluffy get lost in the shuffle. Set aside some quiet, quality-time with them to give them a sense of normalcy and reassure them that they’ve not been forgotten. This would certainly be the most welcomed and practical present your pet could ever receive!

Stafford resident Laurie C. Williams is a certified pet dog trainer and local business owner. She appeared on the television reality show “Greatest American Dog” with her Maltese, Andrew. Reach her at onesmartpooch@aol.com.