Pet Safety This Holiday Season
From Good Behavior Dog Training
The most joyous time of the year for most humans can also be the most Dangerous time of the year for our pets. Good Behavior Dog Training in Tampa would like to help you keep your pets safe this Holiday Season.
First let’s start with the dangers of holiday decorations…. Though pretty to look at, can be a danger to your dog or cat. A lot of holiday decorations are run on electricity and if chewed can electrocute your pet .Even if your pet doesn’t normally chew on existing power cords in your home, the new smells may peek the curiosity of your pet and attract them to these dangers. Year after year too many pets have been reported being killed after chewing on electrical cords. House fires have also been reported and homes burned down because of electrical fires having been started after a pet had chewed on an electrical cord. Let’s not forget about the ornaments being a choking or an obstruction hazard. Also tinsel is not only poisonous to pets but can cut the lining of the intestinal tract.
Now to the wonderful food of the season…. Turkey, Ham Casseroles and the delectable deserts!!!! Good for us,(well sort of ) but not so much for our pets. These rich foods will most likely not agree with their tummies. We don’t want to cause any pancreas, kidney issues or worse, feed something poisonous to our beloved pets. Some foods such as Chocolates, Grapes, Raisins among several others contain chemicals that are potentially deadly to our pets. So avoid feeding your pets from the table and tell your guests to do the same. (*Note * Keep garbage cans safely away from your pets reach, as some of the foods and hazards can be found in an irresistible garbage can..)
Keeping an eye on your pets when guests come over is another topic we would like to cover. Having many new people in a normally quiet house can be very stressful for your pets. It is possible for them to slip outside and be hit by a car or lost. Make sure your pet has a microchip so if they do get out and lost they can return home. Extra care needs to be taken around children. Some kids have not been around many animals and may not know how to properly interact with them, which will be stressful for your pet and they may act out of character. Your normally sweet dog or cat may suddenly be not so sweet if children play to rough, pull ears, tail or hair and may scratch or nip at the child in self defense. Many pets won’t be as tolerant of children as they are with adults and, abnormal behavior as seen by the eyes of our pets may cause aversive behavior from your pet such as biting or scratching.
Last but not least…. If any of your friends bring their dog, your pets may not be enthusiastic about the idea. Best thing if the dogs are not socialized to other dogs or cats (or other pets) it would be better to keep them separate and rotate free time. Your pets and theirs may not be happy with that arrangement, but it is better than a dog fight or other ER visit. Even if all animals are socialized keep a close eye, as your pets view it as their space and things can get out of hand quickly if your pet(s) think the other dog acts rude or invades your pets space and belongings.
In closing, let’s make sure we take a little extra time to ensure our pets safety so it will be a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!!!!!
Happy Holiday’s from
Good Behavior Dog Training
www.goodbehaviordogtraining.com
