With the holidays here, it's important to remember that there are many potential dangers our furry friends face.
However, Southampton residents can take a few simple precautions to keep their pets safe.
The Suffolk County SPCA offers pet owners the following tips to keep their pets safe during the holiday season:
- Sequins should be avoided because your pet may think they are a toy to play with and may accidentally swallow and choke on the tiny strings.
- Do not put chemicals in your tree's water. It may keep your tree fresh for longer, but it can prove to be very harmful to your pets. Do not let your pet drink the tree water because it can get dirty very quickly and many pine needles fall into the water dish. A tight tree skirt over the base of the tree can help prevent this.
- Always make sure your pet always has plenty of fresh water in their own dish. Electric screens and window lights are very welcoming, not only to you and your neighborhood, but also to your curious pets. Make sure all electrical connections and sockets are secured and hidden. Tape electrical wires to the walls or floor to make sure your pet doesn't chew on them.
- Holiday plants such as marigolds, amaryllis, mistletoe and holly are very poisonous to your pets. If these plants are ingested, they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or even more serious problems. If you are buying these items for your home, make sure they are out of your pet's reach.
- Before your family holiday, make sure your pets have a safe, quiet place where they can rest. It is best to keep your pet safely in a bedroom where they can escape from all the noise and festivities. If your pet enjoys company, just make sure it doesn't get too crowded. They need quiet time to rest and relax just like you do.
- After you've had your fill of turkey, ham, chicken and/or roast beef, be sure to throw away those bones – don't feed them to your pet. You may think you are giving them a treat, but in reality you may be putting their health at risk. Bones can shatter easily and cause damage to your pet's throat and intestines. Bones can also get stuck in your pet's throat, which can result in your pet not being able to breathe.
- After opening your presents, quickly dispose of all plastic wrap, ribbons and bows that can easily be swallowed by curious pets.
- Make sure all your pets have the proper ID tags on them at all times, because if your pet goes missing, you'd have a much better chance of finding them if they have ID.
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