Happy Holidays For The Entire Family And That Includes Your Pets!
By: Kelly Marshall
Submitted: 2011-07-18 12:09:25 | Word Count: 568
During the holidays there is a lot of excitement for every member of the family. Kids enjoy pulling out the decorations and hanging bulbs on the tree, and of course ripping open those presents on Christmas morning. Adults enjoy holding and attending holiday parties, exchanging gifts with loved ones, and wearing fun clothing and jewelry to celebrate the season. Some adults will get so into holiday home decorations that they do little else but create a wonderland of outdoor lights or an impressive Christmas village with train indoors.
So, where do your pets fit into all of this? Some may enjoy the excitement and activity of the season, while others may be scared or a bit confused by all of it. Sadly, many pets will feel abandoned and alone during the holidays if the family they belong to is active outside of the home helping at food shelters or attending parties and caroling events.
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While the emotions of your pet should always be considered, their safety while you are enjoying yourself cannot be forgotten. There are quite a few things that could actually harm your pet during the holiday season...and it goes well beyond just missing you while you are gone!
The Christmas Tree
The tree is perhaps the biggest danger to any pet over the holiday season. A puppy could crunch down on a tree bulb thinking it is a toy and swallow glass which could turn your holiday party into an emergency vet visit. Cats may also enjoy the tinsel too much and get caught up in it or perhaps swallow or choke on a small piece of it.
You have to consider the Christmas tree off limits for your pets and use a dog gate to keep them away from it if necessary. Yes, you want them to enjoy the tree just as much as you do but if you worry they will knock it down or if you have a playful do that may see everything hanging as a toy, it's best to put up a sturdy dog gate and keep them away.
Holiday Treats
We all know dogs most dogs will eat just about anything, and especially if it is something forbidden that all the human members of the family seem to love! Some treats that we enjoy over the holiday season could make your dog sick or even take their life, so it is important to keep food and sweet treats out of the reach of your dog and teach children never to feed your dog their treats.
Using a dog gate once again comes in handy here since you can block the entrance to areas of the home where foods are being cooked or served.
Guest Consideration
If you have a lot of guests over to your home for the holidays it is only common courtesy that you use dog gates to keep your pets out of their way as much as possible. If you know someone is a dog lover and they are already familiar with your pets it may be okay to allow the pets to participate a little bit, but for larger parties or guests who may not be so fond of dogs you should keep your pets contained with a sturdy dog gate.
Also, feed and exercise your dogs well before the party so they are less likely to bark and protest against being left out.
