Christmas Pet Safety Tips

First off, the lights and decorations look like toys to both cats and dogs. You will want to supervise them when they are in the same room as the tree and close that room when you are asleep or not at home.

What can happen? Well, electrocution from the lights, so please cover the cords; and if using real candles they could pull them down and cause a fire.

In general, candles you have around the house should be put up high and in places cats cant climb up to get to them.

Also on the tree, tiny light covers can come off or glass balls can break and can cause bad injury or choking. Oh and some lights also have dangerous toxins.

Tinsel and ribbons can cause choking and cause problems in the intestines. Many pet owners each year rush cats to the vets to remove yards of these items as cats enjoy chewing ribbons and quite a few cats love playing with the tinsel, batting it around and flinging it with their teeth.

And be sure to anchor the tree so it will not fall over.

Pine needles and tree water can cause diarrhea, mouth soars, vomiting, sourness in the throat, and more. Also, if you put an aspirin in the water, as many people do, it can certainly cause even more issues. Never put aspirin in tree water if you have pets.

Mistletoe drops blood pressure & causes vomiting.

Holly & Poinsettias can make your pets very ill and in some cases will kill. Poinsettias have deadly toxins and are not good for humans or pets if eaten.

If giving plants as a gift to a person who has a pet I have made a list of dangerous plants to avoid, it is very long and at the end of this lens. Please be sure to check this list if giving a plant as a gift.

Dangerous food items include holiday favorites such as chocolate, coffee, onions, fatty foods, alcoholic beverages, things with small bones like turkey legs and wings, grapes and raisins.

Alert guests to the household pet rules so that everyone is aware they shouldn't feed them.

Also, too much food in general can make your pet ill, give them diarrhea or cause vomiting. And no sugar, I know they love it, and it probably won't kill them; a bit of ice cream or such items isn't good for them, but with all the excitement and perhaps your child gave him some, then your husband, then you, and don't forget aunt sue. It all ads up and can make your dog very very ill for days. The best gift for your pet is to have him feel well.

Keep wrapped gifts of food out from under the tree, set them on a table or in another room. If you have a gift from others please do the same. The wrapping paper and ribbon, then the candy or food inside the wrapped present can really hurt your pet. Oh and this includes their wrapped bones and such, lol.

Pets can get stressed easily a dog will show stress sometimes by heavy panting always have plenty of water around extra water around to prevent dehydration.

Have holiday treats and toys set for the giving during the holiday party or gathering to keep them busy and happy.
keep an eye on children and the pets so as they are not given food or get to excited around kids. when kids open toys put tiny toys away or up high as soon as possible so pets do not chew them up or choke on them.

During the days around the holidays and the holidays themselves pay extra attention to your pet keep there feeding schedule and potty schedule as normal as you possibly can.

Excitement and nervous makes for a sick pet in many cases causing diarrhea and vomiting for days.
loud noises poppers champaign balloons yelling and cheering please pay attention to your pet these things can really scar them and can cause vomiting diarrhea your pet to charge the tree hide all kinds of stress.

Make sure guests know rules for your pets. you maybe in some cases need to have other pet owners as guests or perhaps have a gated area near the activity's where your pet feels safe from guests and you feel good about your pets safety. but remember extra attention from you and new chew toys and water in this area is important.

Car trips some dogs tend to get car sick more stops to walk about the better a open window in the car do not feed dog before you go put the dog in the front seat might help. vets do have medication for dog car sickness. be sure to have plenty of water so the dog wont get dehydrated.

Pets as holiday gifts are not the best idea puppies and kittens need a lot of care training attention I do not recommend this for friends lovers even relatives and even your child unless you have all you need for the puppy or kitten most important being time & care.

pups and kittens need 3 meals a day at first need potty training and constant care until they are adult trained and ready to be home alone.many pets are brought to the humane society after the holidays that where given as gifts because the person doesn't have the time .

also adopting a dog from humane society is saving a life in some cases as well the person getting the special gift should be aloud to choose themselves often a connection is made right there at the human society a love connection between owner and pet.

be sure you can afford the pet food toys pet proofing the home and vet bills
researching breeds are very important

First time pet owners
By Laura T. Coffey
TODAYShow.com contributor
updated 3:14 p.m. ET, Mon., April 27, 2009

The squirmy puppy in the cardboard box was so adorable. The fluffy kitten on display at the pet store touched you with her paw. The docile bunny rabbit seemed like such a nice Easter surprise.

Many of us mere mortals fall in love with animals on the spot and impulsively take them home with us. That's not always the wisest move to make, though, especially in economic times like these. It's all too easy for inexperienced pet owners to step on financial land mines before they know what hit them.

Even in flush times, hasty decisions about animals can prove to be hard on the humans and the animals involved. To avoid unnecessary heartache and steer clear of some of the most common mistakes new pet owners make, consider these tips.

see rest of the story here
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30392956/

The PDSA produced the following list
Daffodil (especially the bulbs)
Castor oil bush (dogs love the seeds)
Cherry laurel (common hedging plant)
Laburnum (and related species)
Lilies / Lily of the Valley (especially toxic to cats)
Philodendron (popular ornamental house plant)

Other common plants and flowers worth mentioning
Azalea
Foxgloves
Ivy (some species)
Rhubarb
Yew

General symptoms of poisoning
Oral or skin irritation
Upset stomach / Vomiting / Diarrhoea
Weakness
Rapid breathing
Fever
Drooling
Coma
Heart failure
Depression
Excitability or lethargy
Tremors / Seizures / Fitting
Increased Thirst
Dilated Pupils
Dizziness / Loss of Balance
Disorientation

Below is a list of houseplants that can be harmful or fatal depending on the quantity swallowed. Also, remember that cats that chew plants are exposed to any chemical pesticides or fertilizers that may have been applied directly to the plants or through the soil.

Should your feline friend eat part of a poisonous plant, rush the cat to your veterinarian as soon as possible. If you can, take the plant with you for ease of identification.

Alfalfa
Almond (Pits)
Aloe Vera
Alocasia
Amaryllis
Apple (seeds)
Apple Leaf Croton
Apricot (Pits)
Arrowgrass
Asparagus Fern
Autumn Crocus
Avacado (fruit and pit)
Azalea

Baby's Breath
Baneberry
Bayonet
Beargrass
Beech
Belladonna
Bird of Paradise
Bittersweet
Black-eyed Susan
Black Locust
Bleeding Heart
Bloodroot
Bluebonnet
Box
Boxwood
Branching Ivy
Buckeyes
Buddist Pine
Burning Bush
Buttercup

Cactus, Candelabra
Caladium
Calla Lily
Castor Bean
Ceriman
Charming Dieffenbachia
Cherry (pits, seeds & wilting leaves)
Cherry, most wild varieties
Cherry, ground
Cherry, Laurel
Chinaberry
Chinese Evergreen
Christmas Rose
Chrysanthemum
Cineria
Clematis
Cordatum
Coriaria
Cornflower
Corn Plant
Cornstalk Plant
Croton
Corydalis
Crocus, Autumn
Crown of Thorns
Cuban Laurel
Cutleaf Philodendron
Cycads
Cyclamen

Daffodil
Daphne
Datura
Deadly Nightshade
Death Camas
Devil's Ivy
Delphinium
Decentrea
Dieffenbachia
Dracaena Palm
Dragon Tree
Dumb Cane

Easter Lily
Eggplant
Elaine
Elderberry

Elephant Ear
Emerald Feather
English Ivy
Eucalyptus
Euonymus
Evergreen

Ferns
Fiddle-leaf fig
Florida Beauty
Flax
Four O'Clock
Foxglove
Fruit Salad Plant

Geranium
German Ivy
Giant Dumb Cane
Glacier IvyGolden Chain
Gold Dieffenbachia
Gold Dust Dracaena
Golden Glow
Golden Pothos
Gopher Purge

Hahn's Self-Branching Ivy
Heartland Philodendron
Hellebore
Hemlock, Poison
Hemlock, Water
Henbane
Holly
Honeysuckle
Horsebeans
Horsebrush
Horse Chestnuts
Hurricane Plant
Hyacinth
Hydrangea

Indian Rubber Plant
Indian Tobacco
Iris
Iris Ivy

Jack in the Pulpit
Janet Craig Dracaena
Japanese Show Lily
Java Beans
Jessamine
Jerusalem Cherry
Jimson Weed
Jonquil
Jungle Trumpets

Kalanchoe

Lacy Tree Philodendron
Lantana
Larkspur
Laurel
Lily
Lily Spider
Lily of the Valley
Locoweed
Lupine

Madagascar Dragon Tree
Marble Queen
Marigold
Marijuana
Mescal Bean
Mexican Breadfruit
Miniature Croton
Mistletoe
Mock Orange
Monkshood
Moonseed
Morning Glory
Mother-in Law's Tongue
Morning Glory
Mountain Laurel
Mushrooms

Narcissus
Needlepoint Ivy
Nephytis
Nightshade

Oleander
Onion
Oriental Lily

Peace Lily
Peach (pits and wilting leaves)
Pencil Cactus
Peony
Periwinkle
Philodendron
Pimpernel
Plumosa Fern
Poinciana
Poinsettia (low toxicity)
Poison Hemlock
Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Pokeweed
Poppy
Potato
Pothos
Precatory Bean
Primrose
Privet, Common

Red Emerald
Red Princess
Red-Margined Dracaena
Rhododendron
Rhubarb
Ribbon Plant
Rosemary Pea
Rubber Plant

Saddle Leaf Philodendron
Sago Palm
Satin Pothos
Schefflera
Scotch Broom
Silver Pothos
Skunk Cabbage
Snowdrops
Snow on the Mountain
Spotted Dumb Cane
Staggerweed
Star of Bethlehem
String of Pearls
Striped Dracaena
Sweetheart Ivy
Sweetpea
Swiss Cheese plant

Tansy Mustard
Taro Vine
Tiger Lily
Tobacco
Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem and leaves)
Tree Philodendron
Tropic Snow Dieffenbachia
Tulip
Tung Tree

Virginia Creeper

Water Hemlock
Weeping Fig
Wild Call
Wisteria

Yews:
Japanese Yew
English Yew
Western Yew
American Yew

thank you to my friend Rosie for this wonderful
list it will be a great help to so many.