Tips On Keeping Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season
The winter holiday season can be a busy and fun time, with decorations, special foods, and parties and get-togethers with friends and family. But many of the things you enjoy can be harmful to your pets. Take steps to protect your pets this season.

• Go for artificial plants instead of real ones because some of the real plants of the season can be harmful to animals, including mistletoe, holly, and many kinds of lilies.
• Make sure the Christmas tree is supported and anchored so that it won’t tip over.
• If you have a real tree, don’t allow your pets to drink the tree water. It can contain fertilizers and bacteria.
• Avoid using tinsel because it is dangerous for cats. If they swallow it, they can end up with an obstruction in their digestive tract.
• Keep lighted candles out of reach of pets, and never leave lighted candles unattended.
• Keep wires, batteries, and glass or other ornaments out of pets’ reach to avoid injury.
• Chocolate, the artificial sweetener xylitol, fats, spicy foods, alcohol, leftover bones, and many other people foods can harm your pets. So put leftovers away after a meal and store food out of reach of your pets.
• Give safe toys to your pets, things that they can’t swallow or tear apart.
• If you have a gathering at your home, make sure your pets have a safe place to be, away from the noise and company that might be scary to them.
• Secure your pets in a safe place when fireworks are used during a celebration.

Source: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)