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Holiday Safety for Pets
Holiday Safety for Pets
Protecting your pet from hidden holiday dangers.
November 24, 2004
During the holiday season, celebrations and decorations can
translate to pet safety hazards and it's not uncommon to see
accidents related to foreign body ingestion, bone fractures
and electric shock occur.
This year Veterinary Pet Insurance wants to ensure that holiday
festivities aren't spoiled for families and pets by an emergency
trip to the veterinarian. Dr. Peter Weinstein, VPI's medical
director, reveals hidden holiday dangers and provides invaluable
tips on holiday safety for pets:
COLD WEATHER DANGERS
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Dogs' feet are extremely sensitive to cold weather and
booties are a great way to protect them from rock salt
and sharp ice. Thoroughly rinse their feet after being
outside, since ice can collect between pets' toes.
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Cats may seek warmth under the hood of a car. To avoid
a surprise in cold weather, always check for sleeping
cats.
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Bringing outdoor animals inside creates its own risks
due to drier air and lower humidity in the winter months.
Brush pets more frequently and contact a veterinarian
about introducing dietary supplements or prescribing a
moisturizer.
SAFETY PROOFING A HOLIDAY HOME
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Trees provide a great temptation for cats to climb and
dogs to chew on, so holiday trees should be well secured
to prevent accidents. Also, pets should not drink tree
water, which may cause gastrointestinal upset.
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Holiday ornaments should be hung out of pets' reach.
Ingestion of ornaments or broken glass (not to mention
ribbons and bows) can lead to serious medical emergencies.
Pets, especially cats, can be tempted to eat tinsel, which
can block the intestines.
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Animals are attracted to bright, moving lights so candles
should be kept on high shelves. Candles as well as fireplaces
should be constantly supervised since embers, sparks and
wax can injure pets.
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Other holiday products that can harm pets include snow
globes (many of which contain harmful antifreeze) and
artificial snow, which can cause reactions if inhaled.
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Holiday plants including ivy, holly, mistletoe, hibiscus,
poinsettia, lilies and Christmas greens all have various
levels of toxicity. Position these high off the ground
to avoid dangerous ingestion mishaps.
HOLIDAY TREATS
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No table scraps for pets! Fatty meats, gravies and poultry
skin can cause pancreatitis, gastritis, enteritis, colitis
and other gastrointestinal problems. Bones put pets at
risk for bowel obstruction or perforation and choking.
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No chocolate for four-legged friends. It contains theobromine,
which is highly toxic to dogs and cats when eaten in even
small quantities.
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Pets should celebrate with home-cooked dog and cat treats.
Recipes are available on the Internet.
PETS AND PARTIES
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An influx of holiday guests may frighten or agitate animals,
making them more prone to barking or even biting.
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Find a quiet room away from the crowd that pets can have
to themselves.
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Pets can easily slip out through an open door as guests
come and go -- keep a steady eye on pets and be sure they
are wearing current identification tags.
While the safest holiday home is a prepared one, accidents
do happen. Remember that a VPI Pet Insurance policy is the
best way to protect America's pets this holiday season.
Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency (VPI) is
the nation's oldest and largest health insurance plan provider
for pets. The company was founded in 1980 and is committed
to making the miracles of veterinary medicine affordable for
all pet owners. VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats,
birds and exotic pets for medical problems and conditions
relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional vaccination
and routine care coverage is also available.
Policies are available in all 50 states and the District
of Columbia. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance
Company in California and in all other states by National
Casualty Company, an A+15 rated company in Madison, Wisconsin.
For more information about VPI Pet Insurance policies, call
800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit http://www.petinsurance.com.
VPI's parent company, Veterinary Pet Services, Inc., is an
SEC-reporting company whose stock is not publicly traded.
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