Keep your pets safe this holiday season

The holidays can be a fun and festive time, but there are also a number of potential hazards for our furry, four-legged friends.

The Regional District of North Okanagan and DocuPet have put out a list of things to watch out for.

Skip the tinsel:

Ahh tinsel…sparkly, pretty and a nightmare for your pet’s digestive system! Cranberry-and-popcorn garland is a beautiful, safe and tasty replacement, and they are fun to make, too. Or, if you want to be sentimental (of course you do), just rely on the sparkle in your pet’s eye for that twinkly, glittery goodness.

Plan your plants:

Want a kiss under the mistletoe? No thanks! As festive as they are, seasonal plants like poinsettias and amaryllis can be toxic if eaten by pets. Make sure these plants are out of reach of your pets, or opt for a realistic fake instead. Some can look pretty dang real, and your pet will be none the wiser.

Pets don’t need a plate:

It seems to be a holiday tradition to lock eyes with your pet from under the table. We can’t blame them, because holiday dinners are top-tier. While it’s best to avoid sneaking pieces of yummy food to your pet, if you give into the puppy dog eyes (no one’s perfect), make sure you’re only feeding them small, lean bits of plain, white turkey. Be aware that human food can irritate your pet’s bowels and cause digestive issues, including vomiting and diarrhea (especially if seasoned with garlic and onion). Always consult your veterinarian before feeding your pet any food that’s outside of their diet.

Turkey and chicken bones aren’t appropriate for pets to chew since they can splinter and become serious choking hazards. Instead, get your pet a toy filled with a safe treat (e.g. a Kong with peanut butter and kibble.

Be careful with candles:

Who doesn’t love a good holiday-scented candle? It goes without saying that candles should never be left unattended. Plus, curious pets can burn themselves or knock them over if they get too close.

Keep those tags on:

The chances of your pet escaping through an open gate or door tends to be higher than usual this time of year due to more people than usual coming in and out of your home.

Be prepared and make sure your cat and dog are wearing their collar and tag. Even better, ensure you have filled out all of the contact information in your DocuPet profile and have pet guardians lined up just in case you can’t be contacted. This will help your lost pet get home much faster, if they do manage to sneak away during the festivities.