The holidays are all about spending time with friends and family, including your four-legged loved ones. However, the festivities pose unique dangers to cats and dogs. As a loving pet owner, you want to do everything in your power to avoid emergency trips to the veterinarian. Here are a few dangers your pet faces this holiday season and how you can minimize the risks.

How to Keep Your Pet Safe During the Holidays 

1. Don’t Feed Them People Food

Avoid giving your pet table food, no matter how much they beg. A turkey bone can splinter when they chew on it, damaging the delicate lining of their mouth. Consuming fatty meats, like holiday ham and sausages, may make your furry friend obese, putting them at a heightened risk of pancreatitis. Additionally, chocolate is toxic to dogs, so put holiday candy in a place where paws can’t get them, like on a shelf or in the pantry.

2. Decorate Wisely

Curious kittens may be mesmerized by shiny baubles on the Christmas tree. Hang all decorations out of your feline’s reach so that they aren’t tempted to play or pull on them—ornaments can shatter and cut delicate paw pads. Dogs and cats may also try to ingest tinsel, which can cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed.

3. Use Fake Holiday Plants

Mistletoe contains substances in the leaves and stems that are toxic to pets, and ingestion will result in vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive drooling. Poinsettias may cause your furry friend irritation in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract if eaten, possibly leading to vomiting. If you want to use these plants as decor, opt for plastic versions instead.

If your beloved pet gets into trouble this holiday season, contact the reliable veterinarians at Mililani Town Center Pet Clinic in Hawaii. For over 29 years, these professionals have been caring for the community’s pets. They treat each animal with kindhearted compassion and are skilled at making even the most anxious patients feel at ease. As a full-service veterinary clinic, they offer everything from spaying and neutering to advanced surgery. View their services online, or call (808) 625-6744 to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian.