Twelve tips for the holiday season
Ottawa Humane Society
Thursday, December 22, 2005
OTTAWA, ON – The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) is reminding pet owners that the holidays present many hazards for pets. The same things that make Christmas special to people may cause problems for their animals. Here are the OHS’s Twelve Pet Tips for Christmas to keep your companion animals safe, healthy and happy.
The busy social season1. Holidays are a busy time for visiting and being visited—you may be away for extended periods or have a house full of guests. If you’re away, have someone check in on your pet or board your pet. Note that your pet’s vaccinations will have to be up-to-date to be accepted at a boarding facility.
2. If you’re entertaining, you may wish to keep your pets in a quiet room away from the noise and activity. If they’re mingling among the guests, make sure you’re monitoring them so that they don’t share your guests’ holiday finger foods!
The glittering Christmas decorations3. Christmas ornaments should be “pet-friendly.” Avoid using tinsel on trees! Curious animals are attracted by the shiny strings and may swallow them, which can lead to serious injury—and expensive surgery! Ornaments hung on lower tree limbs should not be breakable. Also, keep your tree free of decorations made of food!
4. Barricade the water trough around the tree to prevent your pet from drinking the water, which may be dirty and contain pine needles, which are indigestible or tree preservatives, which can make pets very ill.
5. Be careful with Christmas lights! Secure electrical cords and conceal outlets…pets may chew on cords; and keep pets away from open flames.
6. Some Christmas plants are toxic to pets. Keep your pets away from mistletoe, holly, poinsettias and amaryllis. If ingested, they may cause vomiting, diarrhea and/or other problems. If your pet has ingested something you’re unsure about, call your veterinarian!
The carefully purchased and lovingly wrapped gifts7. After gifts have been unwrapped, discard or store wrapping paper and ribbons, which could be dangerous play toys for pets.
8. You’re not the only one looking under the tree with curiosity…if you don’t know what’s in a package, don’t leave it under the tree! You may find out the hard way that Aunt Jane got you a delicious box of Belgian truffles. Note that chocolate is toxic for cats and dogs.
The sumptuous holiday fare9. Table scraps and left-overs aren’t just too rich for your pets, bones in the meat could lead to serious complications or death.
10. Ensure that edibles in Christmas stockings or on the tree are unreachable by your pet and away from dangerous places, such as the fireplace.
The winter wonderland11. Always ensure that your pet is wearing adequate identification. With more frequent comings-and-goings, it’s easy for your pet to slip out of the house unnoticed.
12. On colder days, limit your pet’s exposure to the out-of-doors to short time periods.
For media enquiries, contact:
Michelle Tribe, Communications Coordinator
725-3166, Ext 262
A word about the Ottawa Humane Society: The Ottawa Humane Society is a registered charity founded in 1888. The Society works in and with the community to provide leadership in the humane treatment of all animals, to address the causes of animal suffering, to encourage people to take responsibility for their animal companions, and to provide care for animals who are neglected, abused, exploited, stray, or homeless.
Sharon Miko
Outreach Manager
Ottawa Humane Society
725-3166, ext. 261
2005 is the Year of the Cat at the Ottawa Humane Society…help us support a cat-friendly community!
Print this page
