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ASPCA has a great newsletter (that you can subscribe to from their homepage) and this week they featured some great holiday pet safety tips that I really want to share with you. So here's the abridged version of this week's newsletter....
People FoodOn the "A-Okay" List: mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, small pieces of lean meat
On the "No Way, No How" List: alcoholic beverages, coffee, onions, fatty foods, yeast dough, macadamia nuts, chocolate (all of these can cause severe digestive problems - like pancreas inflammation - that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and even death)
People MedsDid you know that one of the leading causes of pet holiday emergencies is the accidental consumption of human medications? Neither did I. Of course, all of your medicines are properly stored, but what about your house guests? Be sure to ask that they don't leave pills or pill bottles on the bedside table or anywhere else that your pet might accidentally snatch them.
CandlesFire is bad for kids, pets, and your valuables, so be careful with the candles.
Shiny, Sparkly DecorationsBe careful of breakable decorations like glass ball ornaments, and also string, ribbon, dreidels, tinsel, and anything else that your pet might accidentally swallow. Also be sure to carefully tuck away loose wires, strings, and other electrical things that pets (especially puppies) can chew on.
FlowersHolly, mistletoe and poinsettias are all toxic to pets, and all varieties of lilies (including Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Stargazer, and Casablanca) can cause kidney failure in cats.
Christmas TreesTrees are fun to climb, so make sure to securely anchor your tree and do your best to keep pets out of its branches. Also, the water may contain fertilizers that could be toxic. Not to mention, stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria. If your pets are especially fond of your tree you could try putting up a baby gate around it to keep them away.
Happy New YearSince having dogs I've developed a love/hate relationship with New Year's Eve because the fireworks and all the noise really drive them bonkers. Be sure to keep your pets in a safe place during the loud festivities so that they don't bolt or hurt themselves. Also - confetti can be very rough on your pet's digestive system, so avoid it if possible, or clean it up as soon as possible.
Holiday TravelWhen you travel with your pet be sure to have all of its vaccinations up to date and carry your paperwork with you. Also make sure that your pet is collared and, if possible, micro-chipped. If traveling by car be sure that your pet is safe by using appropriate pet harnesses and safety restraints.
The holidays are a great time of year for you and your pets, but be sure to make it a safe time as well! Use caution and common sense and please, pretty pretty please, don't give pets as gifts! Making the choice to adopt a new, furry family member is wonderful and exciting, but with all of the stress of the holidays it's probably better to wait until January. Potty training a new puppy around your holiday guests probably isn't high on the list of things you want to do this December. Plus, getting a new home and family is stressful (and super exciting) for a pet as well, and the added chaos of the holidays tends to be a bit much for them - especially young puppies and kittens.
This movie was, in a word, amazing. Go see it. I was on the verge of tears through the whole thing - you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to go out and change the world and watch college football. This is an amazing true story, and the movie certainly does it justice. I want to say more, but I feel like since it is based on a true story and we all know how it ends, saying much more would ruin the movie. So yeah, just go see it. Trust me.
