Holiday Pet Safety Tips

(Santa Ana) – The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family and loved ones, but it can also be a stressful and dangerous time for your family pet. With Christmas and the New Year just around the corner, Orange County Animal Care Services (ACS) offers the following tips to help keep your pet safe during the holiday season.

• Hang breakables, tinsel, and other tempting decorations well out of paw’s reach. Tinsel, ribbon and ornaments are especially dangerous to pets if chewed and swallowed.

• Place holiday plants out of pet’s reach. Some seasonal plants, including mistletoe, holly berries and poinsettias, can be poisonous.

• Make sure strands of lights, loose wires, and extension cords are out of reach. Pets, especially puppies, often try to chew them and may get burned, shocked, or electrocuted.

• Metal ornament hooks can get caught in curious mouths. Use ribbon or yarn instead of hooks to hang ornaments.

• A Christmas tree should stand on a wide, flat base. Anchoring the tree with fishing line tied to a drapery rod or wall hook can prevent the tree from falling over on your pet.

• Cover your tree stand tightly with skirting. The water from the tree base can cause mouth sores, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Needles from both artificial and live trees are indigestible, and can be harmful to your pet if swallowed.

• Keep your pet away from holiday treats, especially chocolate. Some ingredients in chocolate are toxins and can be fatal to animals.

• When you entertain, provide a “safe haven” where pets can retreat when they get overly excited and there is a possibility of escape.

• If you are going away for the holidays, make sure that pet enclosures are secure and that your pets are wearing proper identification. Remember to make advance plans for their care during your absence.

While your pet is in a safe and loving home, please remember those less fortunate animals. Nationwide, millions of pets will be homeless this holiday season. Shelter animals appreciate toys, treats and love and attention as much as your pets at home. Please visit your local shelter today and share a little holiday cheer with some very deserving animals.

For more information about the Orange County Animal Care Center please visit our website at www.ocpetinfo.com.