HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS
The holidays are fun to celebrate, but beware of the additional dangers they hold for felines. Holiday plants such as mistletoe, holly berries and even poinsettias can be harmful or fatal if ingested by your kitty. Burning candles are a no-no, not only for the immediate danger to your pets, but because they can be easily knocked over spilling hot wax, and become obvious fire hazards. When you are entertaining, please be considerate of your feline's feelings, and be sure your kitty has a safe place to retreat to, with familiar surroundings and a quiet, calm environment. And remember too, that your guests may inadvertently let your indoor kitty outdoors in the excitement of the festivities. Be sure to firmly tack down all exposed wiring, and protect the wires from curious, sharp little teeth by covering the cords with plastic pvc material, thick wrapping tape, and/or spraying with a scent deterrent such as "Bitter Apple". If you decide to give your kitty a little treat of chicken or turkey, please tear the meat carefully into small pieces, and make sure there are no bones, or pieces of bones, in the treat, as these can cause serious intestinal blockage and damage, which can even be fatal. A little treat is much easier on a kitty's delicate system than a huge amount of a food he or she is not used to. Believe it or not, even potpourri liquids can be dangerous to your feline, as they contain natural or essential oils, which if ingested can cause vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, weakness, and possibly liver damage. Some products also contain cationic detergents, in which case the signs tend to be even worse. Cats are most often exposed to potpourri oils by rubbing against leaky bottles or pots containing the oil, or from spilling the oil containing pots over themselves.
If you have a Christmas tree, it should stand in a flat, wide base. Try to anchor the tree with ceiling and/or wall hooks to help keep the tree from tipping over. Be aware that many felines see trees as fabulous climbing posts, so be certain that your tree decorations are kitty-safe. In some cases, you would be better off putting your tree in a room with doors that close, or trying a decorative large wreath placed out of your kitty's way instead. Remember that metal ornament hooks can get caught in feline mouths, and that cranberry and popcorn strands can be deadly to pets, causing intestinal obstruction or getting wrapped around your pet's neck. Tinsel can cause intestinal obstruction and blockage if swallowed, and glass balls can break in an animal's mouth. Broken pieces can cut the skin and be deadly if ingested. Angel hair is spun glass, and will shred the intestines if swallowed, and decorative artificial snow or tree flocking can be ingested or inhaled and damage kitty's nasal passages. Batteries contain a highly corrosive acid that can burn a pet's mouth if it leaks or the container is broken by chewing, so be sure to keep all batteries stored safely away from your feline. And, please do not tie ribbons around your kitty's neck!! Ribbons are extremely dangerous in that they can twist and tighten, causing choking or even strangulation. And pets can hang themselves if the ribbon gets caught on an object. Plus, cats love to play with ribbons, and these can work their way into the intestinal tract and due terrible damage if they are ingested.
Other articles:
PURCHASE NEEDED SUPPLIES AHEAD OF TIME
SYMPTOMS OF A FELINE SWALLOWING
A FOREIGN OBJECT; WHAT TO DO
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