Tis’ the season for joy, family time, and spoiling your furry friends! But what happens if an unexpected visit to the vet jeopardizes the Christmas spirit? As we all know, it’s easy to get excited about the Holiday season, but as pet parents how can we be mindful of our pets? In this blog, we’ll take a look at decorative items and food items to stay away from. We’ll also dive into alternatives that you can use for a pet friendly Christmas!
Table of Contents
The Fireplace and Candles
Holiday Decorations
Holiday Food
Holiday Plants
Quick Summary
The Fireplace and Candles
Now, this may be obvious, but always be sure your pet is out of reach of any open flame. The flame can appeal to your pets and may cause them to get hurt. If you have a fireplace, we suggest buying a shield to prevent any interactions your pet may want to have. When shopping for candles, be sure to look for candles safe for pets! Unscented candles are a great option as the fragrance can harm your pets. Always be sure to place your candles out of reach, and under your supervision. Another option could be using votives, as you won't have to worry about your pets potentially burning themselves or wondering if you left any candles lit.
Holiday Decorations
The coziness and warmth that comes with decorating our home with all things Christmas is one of the reasons why we love celebrating this holiday. As we fill our homes with decorations, it’s best to think of ways to be mindful to ensure our home is safe for our pets. For starters, things to stay away from include tinsel, popcorn, fruit garland, any form of strings, stringed lights yet beautiful and fun can all harm your furbabies. Our next key tip is to be strategic. Place breakable, favored decorations and ornaments high up so it's hard for your furbabies to reach them. We also suggest placing decorations away from your pet's favorite spots in your home!
Holiday Food
One of our family favorites this time of year is receiving yummy treats from our loved ones. As much as we enjoy these delicious treats, our pets may want them more! We certainly don't want to tempt our furabies, and we especially don't want sick pets. Although there are some fruits and veggies your pet can have, here's a list of common Christmas foods to stay away from:
- Chocolate, anything containing Xylitol
- Raisins and Grapes
- Macadamia Nuts
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Alcohol
Holiday Plants
Plants are a wonderful touch this time of year and can be a wonderful gift to loved ones, but did you know some of the most popular holiday plants can be toxic to your beloved pets? This includes:
- Mistletoe
- Holly
- Poinsettias
- Amaryllis
- Paper Whites
If your pet is a plant chewer, it's best not to have these toxic plants in your home. As mentioned, place your plants high enough and out of reach from your pets. To play it safe, consider an artificial plant instead.
Quick Summary
The holiday season is filled with many festivities, and gatherings. As pet parents we want to always be sure our pets are safe and happy. If your pets seem to be having a hard time with all of the holiday festivities, we recommend trying out our DIY enrichment activities to keep them mentally busy! We hope your homes are lit with the joy of Christmas. As we know, there are plenty of pet friendly ways to get creative and spread the holiday fun all over your home! Whether it be with votives, artificial plants, or pet friendly holiday decor. Have any questions about our product, or want to share ideas? Check out our facebook page facebook page, and connect with fellow pet owners!
