The holidays--Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's Eve--can be a magical time for humans and pets alike. However, the holiday season poses some unique dangers for pets. Food, decorations, holiday plants and visitors leaving the doors open can all spell trouble for your dog or cat, if you're not careful.

Holiday Pet Hazards

One of the chief hazards for pets during the holiday season is food. Many of the holiday treats that are delicious to humans are toxic to dogs and cats. Among these are chocolate, particularly baker's chocolate and cocoa powder; onions and garlic; raisins and grapes; alcoholic beverages and yeast breads.

Plants, too, can cause problems. Common holiday plants, like mistletoe, poinsettias and holly are all toxic to animals. Our veterinarians also stress being careful with decorations. Tinsel, especially, is enticing to cats and can result in emergency animal surgery if ingested.

Welcoming visitors to your home during the holidays is a wonderful thing, but it can lead to your pet slipping outside when the door is open.  

Holiday Pet Safety Tips

At Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital in Lexington, our veterinarians recommend covering food and promptly removing it from the table after holiday meals. It's also wise to either forego using toxic holiday plants or keep them in an area that is off limits to your pets. Too many veterinary hospitals see cases of plant poisonings during the holiday season.

To avoid "escapes," keep your pets secure in another room while your guests are arriving and leaving. Good dog and cat care also includes having your pet microchipped so that they can be returned to you should they become lost. Veterinary hospitals, shelters and other pet facilities all over the country have scanners that can read your contact information from the chip. Our Lexington veterinary clinic can perform this safe, affordable and painless procedure.

What special precautions do you take during the holiday season to make sure that your dog and cat stay safe?