Down, Rover! How to keep pets safe from holiday hazards

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebrations, and cherished moments with loved ones, but it can also pose unexpected risks for pets. Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization, is sharing essential safety tips to ensure the season remains festive and hazard-free for dogs and cats.

Here are some practical precautions to keep your furry friends safe:

Christmas Tree Safety: If you have a real tree, use a tree skirt to keep pets away from the water, which may contain toxic pine sap or harmful bacteria. Secure larger decorations, like trees, to a wall or ceiling to prevent accidents.

Decor Hazards: Glittery items like tinsel, ribbons, and ornament hooks can be irresistible to pets, but are dangerous if ingested. Check floors carefully after decorating to remove these items.

Food Awareness: Human treats, including alcohol, chocolate, and raisins, can be harmful or even fatal to pets. Keep all holiday foods out of their reach.

Plant Precautions: Festive plants like poinsettias and mistletoe can be toxic when ingested. Consider artificial alternatives–or ensure that real plants are well out of reach.

Candle Caution: Place decorative candles and menorahs in spots inaccessible to pets, and never leave them burning unattended to prevent accidents.

Calm Spaces: With new sounds and faces around the holidays, some pets may feel anxious. Create a quiet, calm room with dim lighting for them and ensure identification tags and microchips are up-to-date in case of an escape.

For those looking to make the holidays extra special, Best Friends encourages adopting or fostering a pet from a local shelter. This simple act can bring joy to a home while saving a life.

Best Friends Animal Society, founded in 1984, has been a pioneer in the no-kill movement, helping reduce shelter animal deaths from 17 million annually to 415,000. The organization is working to make the U.S. no-kill in 2025.

For more pet safety tips and adoption information, visit bestfriends.org. Keep the holidays safe and joyous for all members of the family–furry ones included.