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New Year’s Safety Tips For Pet Parents

November 1, 2024

As New Year’s Eve approaches, pet parents everywhere are preparing for celebrations filled with fireworks, loud music, and festive gatherings. These joyful occasions can be stressful and dangerous for our furry friends. This article will provide essential New Year’s Eve pet safety tips to ensure that your celebrations are fun and safe for everyone in your household, including your pets. From managing anxiety triggered by loud noises to safeguarding your home against potential hazards, we’ll cover how to minimize stress for your animals during this bustling holiday. Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, being mindful of your pet’s needs and surroundings is crucial. Follow our guidance to make sure your New Year’s Eve is memorable for all the right reasons, keeping your pets secure, calm, and happy as you ring in the new year.

Season’s greetings! The holiday season is in full flow, but its end is in sight. This is an incredibly unusual time of year. It is vital that we slow down and reconnect with those we love. That includes our pet! With New Year’s Eve approaching, you’ll want to take certain precautions to keep your pet safe. This article features a local Grange hill east, ON veterinarian talking about pet safety.

Be Aware Of Seasonal Toxins

Regardless of the season, many household items are dangerous to pets. That list includes household cleaners, vehicle products, insecticides, lawn and garden supplies, and prescriptions. Antifreeze is another significant issue. It is extremely harmful to pets. Unfortunately, a lot of animals love the flavor. Choose a pet-friendly brand. It’s also a good idea to play it safe and mop up any spills right away. Put litter down in damp areas to be sure.

Don’t Give Pets Unsafe Foods

Food is another source of worry. We all love the great Christmas feasts, and they aren’t over yet! Fido and Fluffy are also good at convincing us to share information with them. While some items are safe, some can make your pet very ill, and others are even lethal.

The following are some of the harmful foods:

  • Sweets
  • Chocolate/Caffeine
  • Grapes, Currants And Raisins
  • Meat On The Bone
  • Garlic, Onion, And Chives
  • Avocado
  • Uncooked Dough
  • Xylitol (Birch Sugar)
  • Macadamia Nuts
  • Anything Heavy In Salt, Sugar, Or Fat
  • Alcohol

Consult your veterinarian for New Year’s Eve pet safety tips, including which festive foods are safe and which could be harmful. Many holiday treats, like chocolate, alcohol, and certain spices, can pose serious risks to pets.

Be Careful With Plant Placements

Did you get plants this year? Many of these seasonal favorites are quite toxic to our furry friends!

Holly contains cyanogens, saponins, and methylxanthines. If consumed, these can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other side effects. Poinsettias can induce digestive issues. In fact, eating too many leaves can be fatal. Lilies are among the most toxic plants for cats. In fact, merely nibbling a few leaves or drinking a little water can result in fatal organ damage in cats. Ivy contains triterpenoid saponins, which are toxic to pets. Ingestion symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. Mistletoe contains the cytotoxin viscumin, which is toxic to dogs. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, and heart difficulties.

That pretty tree can also pose a risk. The needles can cause blockages, choking, or obstructions if swallowed, and can cause internal injuries. Plus, if you have a real tree, the water may contain traces of chemicals.

Stick to plants that you are confident are safe for pets. Keep in mind that even healthy plants might become deadly if they are covered with glitter or decorated with little things, such as tiny reindeer. Contact your veterinarian for further information about safe and harmful plants.

Keep Pets Away From Flames

To ensure your pets remain safe during the festive celebrations, follow these New Year’s Eve pet safety tips. Chestnuts roasting over an open fire may be an iconic image, but take care to keep any fire or flames under control. If your fireplace uses wood, set a grate in front of it. This is simply a standard safety measure. Candles should also be placed at high locations. Also, be careful with potpourri burners!

Be Aware of Stress

Holiday stress is a genuine issue for both people and animals! Pets are creatures of habit. Schedule changes, visits, travel, and even environmental changes can be stressful for them. This will be especially useful on New Year’s Eve, when the noise of partygoers and fireworks can be scary and disruptive to our four-legged friends.

Attempt to maintain a normal schedule for your pet, at least as much as possible. Also, please pay special attention to Fluffy and Fido. If you intend to entertain guests, make sure your pets have a secure, quiet place to relax away from the noise. You can put them in a quiet back room with bedding, toys, and treats, and turn a radio on to mask the noise.

If your pet is easily afraid, consult your veterinarian about pet-calming medications. There are other choices, including treats, sprays, and collars. Simply follow the packaging recommendations exactly.

Schedule An Appointment At Our Grange Hill East, ON Pet Hospital

2025 New Year’s Eve Pet Safety: Supervision & Comfort

What alternatives exist for pet supervision?

For pet supervision during busy holiday events or potentially hazardous situations, several alternatives ensure safety. Creating a dedicated quiet space in the home with comfortable bedding, toys, and treats helps keep pets calm and secure. Using sound-masking strategies such as playing soft music or a radio can also buffer distressing noises like fireworks or loud gatherings. Additionally, pet owners might consider pet-sitting services or daycare options that provide a safe environment under professional care. These methods minimize stress and protect pets from holiday-related risks.

What types of toys or puzzles work best for distraction?

To effectively distract pets during stressful events like New Year’s Eve, interactive toys and puzzles that engage their natural instincts are excellent choices. Toys that involve problem-solving, such as treat-dispensing puzzles, can keep pets mentally stimulated and focused. Similarly, durable chew toys provide a satisfying physical outlet for stress. For cats, puzzle feeders that mimic hunting behaviors, and for dogs, toys that require them to manipulate them to release treats, can keep them engaged and help mitigate anxiety during noisy celebrations.

How should you handle necessary bathroom breaks?

During holidays or noisy events, managing pet bathroom breaks requires ensuring both safety and comfort. Always keep pets on a leash, even in familiar environments, to prevent them from running off or encountering hidden dangers such as spilled chemicals or toxic plants. Consider scheduling bathroom breaks before noise peaks, like fireworks or parties, to reduce stress. Additionally, if the pet shows signs of anxiety, using a calming treat or vest can help soothe them. Ensure that the outdoor area is secure and free from hazards like antifreeze spills or unsafe plants.

How can you manage doors and exits with guests present?

Managing doors and exits during gatherings with guests is critical for pet safety to prevent escapes and accidents. It’s advisable to secure pets away from high-traffic areas, especially near entrances and exits. Inform guests ahead of time about the importance of keeping doors closed and being cautious when entering or leaving. Additionally, using baby gates or temporary barriers can help control pet movements without shutting them away completely. For added safety, ensuring pets have updated identification, like microchips and tags, can aid in a quick recovery should they accidentally escape.

What’s the ideal schedule for the day?

An ideal schedule for a pet on a busy day, such as New Year’s Eve, involves maintaining their regular routine as closely as possible. This includes feeding, bathroom breaks, and exercise at their usual times. Structured activity during the day can help mitigate stress, with added playtime or a long walk to expend energy. As festivities begin, transitioning pets to a quiet, comfortable space with familiar items like bedding and toys is crucial. Providing a calm environment helps to shield them from overwhelming noise and activity, ensuring they remain relaxed and secure.

We all wish you all a happy New Year. Please contact us for any and all of your pet’s veterinary requirements. We are your Grange Hill East, ON pet hospital and are here to help!

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