Holiday tips for keeping your furry friends safe

In search of ponies

link Sharna Johnson

The decorations are out, or will be soon, and everything in human habitats is changing.

There is a tree, sparkly lights everywhere, shiny tinsel, ornaments galore … perhaps presents have even begun to pile up in the living room.

Most homes get seriously decked during the Christmas season, family starts pouring in, shoe tread gets worn down against the shiny tiles at shopping malls and the world starts going haywire, in a good way, of course.

With less than two weeks to go, it’s safe to say the hustle and bustle is well under way — and you can bet on the fat man, your furry ones have noticed the change.

No doubt by this time, at least one lovingly decorated tree somewhere near you is being scaled by a sharp-clawed kitten.

And somewhere, a brightly lit tree and its skirt are being claimed as new-found territory by an excited, eager-legged dog.

Human tradition be darned, you just can’t drag a perfectly good tree into their sheltered little worlds and expect anything less, after all, it’s a tree and it’s in the house, which means outside rules automatically apply.

In fact all those things that suddenly appear around the house are fair game, if not while the humans are home, then certainly while they are away at work or on one of those extra long shopping excursions, and it’s an amazingly well behaved pet that can resist the temptation.

As much fun as things are this time of year, a little extra effort is required to keep the spirit alive and well for homes with pets.

Holiday tips with guidance from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals include:

• Anchor that tree: Make sure the tree is tightly anchored in a secure and stable stand. This will come in really handy if the cat decides to go for a climb or the dog tips and falls into it while making it part of the home territory.

• Forget tinsel: It’s a holiday classic and the critters find it quite attractive too, but it can really put a pet in a bind. When swallowed, tinsel can create an obstruction that may lead to sickness and even surgery.

• Keep plants out of reach or go without: Most traditional Christmas plants are risky for pets. Mistletoe, holly, poinsettias and most lilies can cause symptoms ranging from upset stomachs to death.

• Batteries not required: Those extra batteries to power the kids’ gifts are a brilliant idea, but if the pooch gets them first, the chemical burns will not be pretty.

• Watch the chords: Electric lights make everything sparkly and bright, but they also create tripping hazards and if chewed can deliver quite a shock to curious pets.

• Light those candles but protect them: One unattended candle on the coffee table combined with a wagging tail and it might be over faster than a twitch of Santa’s nose.

• Guests have rules too: Make sure friends and family understand your pet’s rules and quirks. Keeping human treats or medication put away, keeping doors closed, and supervising children with pets at all times will help prevent holiday disasters.

• Give them a holiday: Let the critters off the hook and settle them in a room, kennel or other secluded place so they can relax and escape the human insanity.

Bottom line, Christmas is for humans. Sure, the critters will find ways to enjoy, but peace on earth and goodwill toward man probably won’t factor in without a little help and planning from the humans.

Sharna Johnson is a writer who is always searching for ponies. You can reach her at:

[email protected]