The Houston SPCA has some great tips concerning our pets this holiday season. We suggest keeping your pets safe with new windows and siding too...it's what we do best at Wonderful Windows & Siding. Happy holidays!
•Proper Identification: Make sure your pet is wearing proper identification at all times (a collar and ID tag with current information) and has been microchipped.
•Holiday Travel: Whether you travel by land, air or sea, plan early. Most states require a current health certificate for your cat or dog to enter the state. If you are flying, plan a direct flight and always contact your airline for specifics on their requirements for pet travel. Make your pet-friendly accommodations in advance. And, make sure to have your pet’s updated veterinary records and health certificate with you at all times.
•Skip the table scraps & sweets: Any sudden change in a pet’s diet can cause gastrointestinal problems. Bones can splinter and cause blockages. Greasy, spicy and fatty foods can also cause stomach upset or even worse – an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. Sweets can kill, so keep chocolate, desserts, all types of candy and the foil / cellophane wrappers they come in out of your pet’s reach.
•Yeast Dough / Baking Ingredients: Keep raw dough out of your pet’s reach. If eaten, it can expand in your pet’s stomach and could become a life-threatening emergency. Both baking soda and baking powder are highly toxic, along with nutmeg and other spices.
•Use caution with alcoholic beverages: Many holiday plans include alcoholic beverages. If ingested, an animal can become sick and weak and possibly go into a coma, which could lead to death due to respiratory failure.
•Use caution with floral arrangements: Many festive holiday plants such as mistletoe, holly berries and lilies can be toxic to pets. Keep all plants out of your pet’s reach.
•Fire Hazards: Keep unsuspecting, curious pets away from the sparks and flames of your fireplace and make sure to never leave any lit candle unattended.
•Christmas Tree Water: The water that keeps your tree flourishing may contain fertilizers which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria and cause vomiting, abdominal discomfort and diarrhea in your pet.
•Decorations: Ribbons, tinsel, pine needles and glass tree ornaments, if ingested, can become lodged in your pet’s intestines, causing intestinal blockage. Tape down electrical cords, as chewing on them could cause pets to be badly burned or electrocuted.
•Unwanted Gift: Never surprise a friend, spouse or partner with a gift of a pet for the holidays. A companion animal is for life, not just the holidays.
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