The
big one is….no matter just how cute that puppy (or kitten, or birdie, or bunny, etc…) in the window is…the holiday
season is NOT the time to bring a new pet into your family. If you really want to get your loved one a
pet, get them a gift certificate for the value of the pet. Then your loved one will be able to pick out
exactly what they want. You could also
put together an ‘adoption kit’ with items a new pet owner will need.
One
thing to consider is the number of pets in shelters and rescues looking for new
homes. Many shelters and rescues offer
gift certificates. You could also think
about fostering a pet. That way you can
see the amount of time and attention they will need before actually adopting
one yourself.
You
should also wait till all the activity settles down so that the pet can be
introduced into the home in a calm, normal situation. Your new pet is already going to be stressed
about being introduced into a new home, imagine the added stress of all the
holiday activities in your home. Don’t
deny it, you are also stressed out during that time of year. Wait to bring home your new bundle of joy
until after the holidays are over.
If
you already have pets in your home, you will also need to consider their safety
and stress level the holidays provide for them.
I can’t tell you how many times Merlin, my cat, knocked over my
Christmas tree before I finally bolted it to a board. I lived in an apartment and only had a 4’
tree, but he loved to climb up inside the branches, which made it even more top
heavy and over it would go. I also had
to keep my precious and fragile ornaments off the tree or they wouldn’t last.
When
we got a larger tree, after Merlin passed away, my rescue dogs loved to walk
under it. All the lower branches were
covered with dog fur. I had to make sure
not to hang any of my fragile or precious ornaments on the lower branches
because of this. So my recommendation is
to anchor your tree in some manner.
If
you have cats, Do Not Put Tinsel on your tree.
Cats will play with it and eat it.
If they eat the tinsel, it could cause a blockage in their intestines. I’ve heard many a horror story of cats and
tinsel, so please if you have a cat, don’t use tinsel on your tree. Imagine this getting caught up in your cats
intestines…(caution…if this does happen
to your cat, do not pull the tinsel out.
It could get tangled in their intestines. Take your cat to the vet to have it removed
safely).
If
you will be having guests staying at your home, please ask them not to leave
any kind of medication laying open in their suitcase or anywhere your pets can
get into it. There are many emergency
vet visits over the holidays with pets having eaten a guests medication. Also make sure you show them where you keep
your pet approved treats and advise them how often your pets are given
treats. I told you in my Halloween Blog
to make sure and keep any candy out of your pets reach. Supervise children while they are eating
candy to make sure your pet does not help themselves. Also please advise your guests not to feed
your pets from the table. You can make
sure your pet gets an extra treat for the holidays, but please ask your guests
to refrain.
If
you decorate your house with real mistletoe and Holly, please make sure they
are in places where your pets cannot get to them. These are poisonous to pets. Holly can cause nausea, vomiting and
diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause
cardiovascular problems and gastrointestinal problems. Lilies and Poinsettias are also toxic to your
pets.
Remember
the movie, Christmas Vacation?? Remember
the cat that ate the Christmas tree lights??
Enough Said…
You
should also watch alcoholic beverages around your pets. One of my dogs, Mirage, actually got drunk at
a party we attended one summer. We were
all sitting outside and I was drinking a glass of wine. I would set it down beside my chair while
eating and visiting. I kept thinking,
darn, I’m drinking this fast. Then I
notice Mirage helping herself to my glass.
She quite literally could not walk straight. We carried her up the stairs and she wobbled
around stumbling. She had to lean on the
wall to walk down the hallway. We were
laughing because it was so funny…until she got very sick. Poor baby was sick the whole next day. She couldn’t stand the smell of wine after
that though. Our vet told us she could
have had alcohol poisoning. So be very
careful with your pets and alcohol.
It
might also be helpful to have a room where you can put your pets when things
get a little too stressful for them.
Give them some quiet time throughout the holiday season.
Here’s
hoping you have a very safe and happy Holiday Season.
Be
Well & Be Happy,
Pet~Pourri
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