WASHINGTON—With the holiday season fast approaching, we turn
our thoughts to entertaining friends and family in our homes.
But decorations and festive feasts can also be hazardous to
pets, warns The HSUS.
“The holiday season is the great time of year when families
and friends get together to share meals and each other’s
company,” said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for
companion animals of The HSUS. “However, some traditions during
the holidays can be harmful to our pets.”
Keep in mind the following tips to ensure the safety of the
pets in our families:
* Certain plants such as Mistletoe berries, and the leaves,
stem and flowers of the Poinsettia can be dangerous to pets. Be
sure to keep these plants well out of the reach of animals in
your home, or consider using artificial versions.
* Foods and drinks such as alcoholic beverages, seeds and
pits from many fruits, chocolate, macadamia nuts, walnuts,
coffee, tea, salt, onions, and other foods can be harmful to
pets.
* Never feed pets leftovers from the dinner table. Items
such as chicken bones can easily shatter and choke cats and
dogs.
* When cooking dinner for your guests, be sure to move pet
birds away from the kitchen area. Fumes released from non-stick
cookware and self-cleaning ovens can be deadly.
* Decorations such as tinsel, glass ornaments and garlands
can easily attract pets, but are dangerous choking hazards.
Electric decorations such as stringed lights can give your pets
a shock should they chew on the wires. Keep decorations out of
their reach.
* The unusual commotion of the holiday season can be
stressful on animals as well as humans. Put your pets in a
quiet room or quiet area of the house when guests are visiting.
* When traveling with your pets, make sure they are properly
secured and don’t fly them in the cargo area on airplanes
unless absolutely necessary.
For more information about home holiday hazards, visit
www.hsus.org.
The HSUS is the nation's largest animal protection
organization with over seven million members and constituents.
The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active
programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife
and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals
and sustainable agriculture. For nearly 50 years, The HSUS
protects all animals through legislation, litigation,
investigation, education, advocacy and field work. The
non-profit organization is based in Washington, DC and has 10
regional offices across the country. For more information,
visit The HSUS’ Web site – www.hsus.org.
