If you’re hosting a party or putting up holiday decorations this year, you should consider the needs of your pet. While Christmas trees, stockings, and other seasonal decorations may look nice, they can be a potential safety hazard for your pet. Because this can be a precarious time of year for your furry friends, the veterinarians at Covedale Pet Hospital in Cincinnati, OH, offer some tips on how to keep your pet safe during the festivities.

5 Holiday Pet Safety Tips From Cincinnati Veterinarians

1. Secure Your Christmas Tree

Whether you put up an artificial or real tree, you should secure it safely so your pet can’t knock it over, sustaining injuries and causing damage. Also, if you have a live tree, keep your pet away from the tree water, which may contain fertilizers and bacteria that could make your pet sick, requiring a visit to the vet hospital.

2. Say No To Mistletoe

Holly and mistletoe are festive, but if your pet ingests them by accident, they can suffer serious illness. Holly causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in pets, while mistletoe causes gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems.

3. Be Careful With Candles

Whether you’re lighting wintry candles or the menorah, place it somewhere your pet can’t reach. If they knock it over, it could start a fire.

4. Keep An Eye On The Food

You would never give your pet a poisonous chocolate cookie, but if they’re sitting on the table unsupervised, your pet might easily gobble up one—or more—unnoticed. Keep your food as far out of reach as possible

5. Toss The Tinsel

Shiny tinsel is appealing to pets, but if they swallow it, they could suffer from an obstructed digestive tract, which may lead to pet surgery.

Veterinarians know that this is a tricky time of year for pet owners. However, taking a few simple precautions can prevent a major animal emergency. If your pet needs to see a veterinarian in the Cincinnati area, call Covedale Pet Hospital at (513) 251-4666 to schedule an appointment. Visit the website to see a list of their services.