Holiday Pet Safety for Hanukkah and Christmas

Learn Pet Safety Lady's recipe for a successful Pet Safe Holiday


one part food
one part drinks
one part safety

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly…”


– Christmas trees, menorahs, mistletoe, candles, food, gifts, music, dreidels, more food, wrapping paper, ribbon, and good cheer – the Holidays are here again!

– Friends and relatives, young and old, will be tumbling through the front door as we all get together to celebrate. And our furry friends will be joining the festivities!

Potential dangers are lurking for our pets at this time of year, with thousands of pets becoming ill or seriously injured. But with a little forethought and a few minutes attention to some simple tasks you will ensure a safe and happy holiday season for your human and animal friends alike. Vet emergency rooms across the country will have a busier than usual time and these suggestions from Pet Safety Lady will ensure you and all your family and friends spend your holidays at home, happy and safe.

We all know it is a busy time, a time of much planning, shopping, cooking and baking, rushing to and from parties and get-together with relatives and friends. So oftentimes we forget about our little four-legged members of the family during the rush and festivities.
They are curious and anxious as we, their caretakers are and there are many hazards waiting for their curiosity.

As Pet Safety Lady the holidays are great for the whole family including pets and there are some easy ways for us to put safety first for Hanukkah and Christmas.

Here are some tips to help keep your pets safe:

• Poultry bones can easily splinter and can lacerate your pet's mouth or throat or obstruct your pets' insides.

• Onions and onion powder, widely found in stuffing, can damage your dog's or cat's red blood cells, which can lead to anemia.
• Chocolate has the potential to be fatal to your dog or cat; so place those sweets well out of reach.
• Aluminum foil, wax paper and other food wrappings, if ingested, can cause intestinal obstruction. Make sure to place these items securely in the garbage.
• Provide your pet with a quiet retreat should the holiday festivities become too much for him. Watch his behavior to make sure he is not stressed. Keep outside doors closed and remind guests there is a pet in the house.
• Fatty, rich, or new types of foods can give your pet pancreatitis or gastroenteritis, two medical conditions that can be very painful and even life threatening.
• Keep garbage cans securely closed. If your pet gets into it, he may think he's hit the jackpot, but all he'll be winning are health problems that can range from gastric disturbance, vomiting and diarrhea to the worst-case scenario - death.
• Plants poisonous to pets (holly, mistletoe, poinsettia, lilies, Christmas rose)
• Pine needles can create problems if ingested and the ingestion of inappropriate foods, tinsel, ribbons or garlands can cause sickness or obstruction.
• Unsecured Christmas trees pose hazards to climbing critters as they can topple or be knocked over.
• Don't forget to prevent the ingestion of Christmas tree water since stagnant water or preservatives can be toxic.
• Other holiday hazards include menorahs, candles and liquid potpourri pots.
• Fire and burns are not the only threats to pets and the household. Scented items can also be harmful--especially to birds.
• Breakable items such as glass and other ornaments pose a threat and electrical cords, heated decorative bulbs, hooks, and a wide variety of other adornment items create temptations. Use topical pet deterrents and barriers for protection.
• Nicotine poses a threat. Keep it out of reach.
• Chewing aluminum foil is a risk for pets plus may have e-coili.
• Store food in secure containers out of reach to prevent ingestion or poisoning.

About: Bark Buckle UP® founder Christina Selter “Pet Safety Lady” works with first responders nationwide teaching pet safety and has buckled UP more then 10,000 pets. Education is the first step to show that pet safety is connected to human safety, which helps to save lives. Christina has been featured in more then 1200 TV, radio, segments including print and online takes it over tens of thousands, Bark Buckle UP received more then 100 MILLION in circulations and impressions in one year and she has directed, produced several pet safety PSA’s and created Be Smart Ride Safe-take the pledge Buckle Up the whole family.