Pet Safety Tips - North Shore Animal League America

The safety of any pet is always of utmost importance, but the pet’s owner and family must also be observant of specific rules and restrictions when around any pet, especially dogs and cats. Below are tips on how to practice safety around pets, while also keeping the animal out of harms way:

Always ask the pet’s guardian permission to pet his or her dog before doing so.
Always let the dog or cat see you before approaching to pet or play - this also applies to your own pet.
Do not disturb a dog while he or she is sleeping, eating or chewing on a toy.
Always be cautious around strange dogs or cats and realize that they might see you as a threat and they might be afraid of you.
Be wary of dogs and cats you don’t know, and be respectful of those you do.
Never tease or chase any pet.
Keep your pet indoors unless fully supervised.
Be cautious with the choice of houseplants you have in your home. Some varieties are poisonous to your pets.

Pets & Holidays

There are numerous holidays that are times of happiness and celebration for everyone, but most people don’t realize that these times can be great for people yet stressful and frightening to a dog or cat.

Christmas & Hanukkah - This time of year can be wonderful and joyous for people, but to a small puppy or kitten in the household, all the excitement and cheer can be strange and frightening. Not only will all the commotion be confusing, but caught in the middle of all the activities, a dog or cat could become injured, and if left alone in a room he or she could suffer from neglect and loneliness. Families must be understanding and plan accordingly if looking to adopt a puppy or kitten around this time of year. Things to be wary of during this holiday season:

Poinsettia Plants – poisonous to pets if consumed
Menorah – lit candles can be knocked over and become a serious fire hazard
Lights – Whether on a tree or around the inside of the house, lights can get too hot if left on and become a serious fire hazard

Thanksgiving - During this happy time of family, food and giving, people tend to become overly generous, which means that dogs and cats will get a lot of table food scraps from family members or guests. Sometimes this act of generosity can lead to injury.

Too many fatty, rich, or new types of foods can give your pet pancreatitis or gastroenteritis; two medical conditions that can be very painful and even life threatening.
Bones from turkey or chicken can tear up or obstruct your pets’ insides.
Onions, widely found in stuffing, will destroy a dog’s red blood cells, which can lead to anemia.
Too much chocolate, especially baking chocolate, can actually be fatal to a dog, so all those sweets must be kept well out of reach.

Halloween – During this time, there is always a lot of energy and excitement in the air, so specific precautions should be taken to keep your pet safe. This is a holiday where pets, especially dogs, should be left indoors because large groups of loud people dressed in costumes can really scare your pet. On this holiday, candy is in abundance and while kids may love loose candy, it is important that your pets do not get into the candy, too. Large quantities of chocolate and other candies can be fatal to a dog.

July 4th - Fireworks are a beautiful visual and audio extravaganza for people to observe, but the same cannot be said for your pet. The loud noises and bright flashes of fireworks can scare, disorient and confuse your pet. If it is found that fireworks upset your pet, make sure that someone stays with him or her to provide comfort. Being a friend to your pet means helping him or her get through frightening times like these.