According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), more than 60 percent of pet guardians include their dogs and cats in holiday festivities and 79 percent give pets Christmas gifts.

Unfortunately, even surrounded by well-meaning humans, thousands of pets will suffer a holiday related accident or illness this season. Whether your plans for the holidays involve traveling far and wide or hosting the festivities from the warmth and familiarity of home, here are some precautions to take to ensure a fun, but safe time, for your companion animal.

If You Are Staying Home:

Plants: Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias are poisonous to cats and dogs.

Electrical cords: If chewed on, they can electrocute your pet. Make sure strands of lights, loose wires and extension cords are out of reach.

Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pets
Make sure your pet is safe, happy while you're away

Tree ornaments: Glass can cut little paws if stepped on and tinsel can block your pets' intestines if eaten. And use yarn instead of hooks to hang your ornaments as metal ornament hooks can get caught in your pet's mouth.

Packages under the tree: Bows, ribbons, toys, even those tiny ornaments used to decorate presents, can be swallowed and cause your pet to strangle.

The tree: Cats may try to climb it. Dogs may try to eat it. Both situations are bad news and children as well as animals could get hurt if the tree falls over. Be sure to cover your tree stand with skirting so pets can't drink water from the tree stand. The tree sap in the water can cause mouth sores, vomiting or diarrhea.

Other decorations: Lit candles and a dog or cat's swooshing tail can spell disaster. Do not leave candles - or that nice roaring fire in the fireplace - unattended.

Food and beverages: Pets should not eat sugary or chocolate treats or drink alcohol. These substances are all toxic to animals.

Guests: Make sure any visitors comply with the food and beverage law above. Make sure young guests are not playing too rough with the pets or tormenting them. Watch for signs of stress in your animal if the house is filled with people. Provide him or her with a quiet, comfortable place to escape to for a rest, when needed.

If You Are Traveling And Leaving Your Pet At Home:

These days more and more hotels and motels allow pets, so taking your pet along is always a first choice.

If you can't find a pet-friendly facility, or you're staying with people who do not like animals, hiring a reputable and caring pet sitter to come to your home is a better choice than a kennel.

Pets who are left at home in their familiar surroundings, with their own beds, toys and your scent, feel more comfortable, especially if there are multiple pets living together. To find a good pet sitter, or kennel (if you must go that route), get recommendations from your veterinarian or other people involved in the care of animals.

If you choose a pet sitting service, interview at least two candidates in your home and watch how they interact with your animal, and vice versa. Find out if the pet sitter is comfortable giving medication and other necessary time, attention and care to your pet.

Ask both pet sitters and kennels for references - and then check them.

If you choose to leave your pet at a kennel, visit the facility at least twice, unannounced, before your travel day.

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Before you leave, make sure the people caring for your pet are provided with contact phone numbers for yourself, a nearby neighbor or friend, and of course, your veterinarian, for both office hours and emergency services.

Leave a spare house key with your neighbor or friend and ask that person to stop by, unannounced, at least once during one of the pet sitter's visits (Set basic times for the pet sitting visits before you go). Tell the pet sitter your friend will be stopping by at some point during your absence.

Be sure your pets are wearing proper identification and that their collars are not too loose or too tight.

Before shutting up the house, make sure windows are closed, doors are locked, pet enclosures are secure, water bowls are filled and food, medication, treats, leashes, phone numbers and other supplies are left out in a handy, visible spot.

Sources
Othalacres
www.othalaacres.com/petsitting/articles/holidaysafety.html
Holiday Tips for a Safe Season

OC Pet Info
www.ocpetinfo.com/acs_holiday.htm
Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pets

Honolulu Advertiser
the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Nov/30/il/il34a.html
Make sure your pet is safe, happy while you're away

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.