15 Holiday Safety Tips
Posted By SLCo Animal Services
December 10, 2020
The holiday season is upon us and the best gift for your pet and you would be to prevent a holiday disaster. Here are 15 pet safety tips from Salt Lake County Animal Services.
Even with this year’s changes in our schedules and so many people working from home, you may not notice what your pet is up to, if they snuck a “toy” off the Christmas tree and swallowed it. Maybe you had to run a quick errand and come home to presents under the tree torn, or the tree toppled over.
Pet parents need to be especially diligent during the holidays. Decorating the house with holly and mistletoe are common, however, these can prove fatal for pets. Even plants like amaryllis and daffodils are toxic for pets.
Here are a few good tips to make sure your pup is safe.
1. Anchor your Christmas tree securely so pets can't knock it over.
2. Get a Faux tree: An artificial tree is much safer for your pets.
3. Don’t decorate the bottom part of the tree. This could prevent your dog from being enticed to reach those easy to grab ornaments.
4. Block off the Christmas tree by using a pet gate in front of it.
5. Avoid glass ornaments. Glass ornaments can easily break and your pet could eat the glass.
6. Be careful of the water in the Christmas tree stand, stagnant water can contain bacteria.
7. Keep wiring and extension cords out of reach. You do not want your pet to become tangled, bite the wires, or pull them off.
8. Keep wrapped gifts and wrapping paper out of reach. If your pet eats wrapping paper it can cause an upset stomach or even worse, a blockage.
9. Chocolate is a very popular Christmas treat but can be very toxic to your pet.
10. "No" to table scraps. Not only can this cause unwanted behaviors (begging) but it can be unsafe to your pets and cause medical problems.
11. Keep an eye on your dough if baking and do not give your pets cooked bones they can easily splinter and cause dental damage as well as internal perforations.
12. Monitor entrances in snowy weather and make sure that no ice melting chemicals are tracked in on your shoes; they are very toxic to dogs.
13. Ensure all children are familiar with your pets and know how to interact with them safely.
14. Do your best to keep your normal schedule. Animals thrive on routine. Make sure to keep as close as you can to their normal routines of feeding, sleeping and walking.
15. Make sure that your pets’ new toys are size appropriate and monitored to make sure they do not chew or swallow small pieces.
Most of all have a very Happy and Safe Holiday and a Happy New Year.
Homemade Dog Treats are the best way to show your pet that you love them like family! These Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats are an easy dog biscuit recipe that your fur baby would request every week if they could.
If you are interested in adopting one of our wonderful pets waiting to find their forever home, please visit adoptutahpets.org to view our available animals.
If you are opening your home to a pet in need and fostering please email fosters@slco.org for more information on our foster program.