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Avoid Holiday Hazards

The holiday season can be a stressful and potentially dangerous time for household companion animals. Helping Hands offers these tips to keep your pets safe from holiday hazards.

Watch for sings of stress that could be caused by company during holiday gatherings. Make sure there's a quiet room to which your pets can retreat. Be particularly cautious with youngsters. Teach children proper etiquette around animals.

Caution your guests to securely close doors and gates to prevent an escape.

Watch where you place alcoholic drinks. An ounce of alcohol can poison a small dog.

Ask guests to refrain from feeding your pets. They may unintentionally offer your pet unhealthy or even dangerous snacks.

Keep candy out of your pets' reach. Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical known to cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and even death in dogs. Tin foil and cellophane wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.

Never leave burning candles unattended. Pets can knock them over causing fires. Curious pets risk getting burned.

Ribbons, tinsel and bows are inviting to playful pets but can cause damage to their intestines. Pick up ornaments and hooks that may have fallen to the floor.

Consider getting an artificial tree. Ingested Pine needles from real trees can puncture intestines.

Keep your tree’s water stand covered. Pine sap mixed with water makes a poisonous drink for your pet.

Secure your tree to a wall or ceiling hook with a sturdy fishing line. This will help prevent the tree from toppling over should your pet decide to jump on it, or knock it over with a big tail wag.

Place holiday plants such as poinsettia, mistletoe, holly and Christmas cactus out of reach. These poisonous plants can cause diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration.