During the holiday season, celebrations and decorations can become pet safety hazards, and it’s not uncommon to see accidents related to foreign body ingestion, bone fractures and electric shock. VPI Pet Insurance wants to ensure that holiday festivities aren’t spoiled for families and pets by an emergency trip to the veterinarian.

Dr. Carol McConnell, manager of veterinary education and services, reveals hidden holiday dangers and provides invaluable tips on holiday safety for pets:

COLD WEATHER DANGERS
Dogs’ feet are extremely sensitive to cold weather, and booties are a great way to protect them from rock salt and sharp ice. Thoroughly rinse their feet after being outside, since ice can collect between pets’ toes.

Cats may seek warmth under the hood of a car. To avoid a surprise in cold weather, always check for sleeping cats.

Bringing outdoor animals inside creates its own risks due to drier air and lower humidity in the winter months. Brush pets more frequently and contact a veterinarian about introducing dietary supplements or prescribing a moisturizer.

SAFETY PROOFING A HOLIDAY HOME
Trees provide a great temptation for cats to climb and dogs to chew on, so holiday trees should be well-secured to prevent accidents. Also, pets should not drink tree water, which may cause gastrointestinal upset.

Holiday ornaments should be hung out of pets’ reach. Ingestion of ornaments or broken glass (not to mention ribbons and bows) can lead to serious medical emergencies. Pets, especially cats, can be tempted to eat tinsel, which can block the intestines.

Animals are attracted to bright, moving lights so candles should be kept on high shelves. Candles — as well as fireplaces — should be constantly supervised since embers, sparks and wax can injure pets. Other holiday products that can harm pets include snow globes (many of which contain harmful antifreeze) and artificial snow, which can cause reactions if inhaled.

Holiday plants including ivy, holly, mistletoe, hibiscus, poinsettia, lilies and Christmas greens all have various levels of toxicity. Position these high off the ground to avoid dangerous ingestion mishaps.

HOLIDAY TREATS
No table scraps for pets! Fatty meats, gravies and poultry skin can cause pancreatitis, gastritis, enteritis, colitis and other gastrointestinal problems. Bones put pets at risk for bowel obstruction or perforation and choking.

No chocolate for four-legged friends. It contains theobromine, which is highly toxic to dogs and cats when eaten in even small quantities. Pets should celebrate with home-cooked dog and cat (not human) treats; recipes are available on the Internet.

PETS AND PARTIES
An influx of holiday guests may frighten or agitate animals, making them more prone to barking or even biting. Find a quiet room away from the crowd that pets can have to themselves.

Pets can easily slip out through an open door as guests come and go; keep a steady eye on pets and be sure they are wearing current identification tags.

While the safest holiday home is a prepared one, accidents do happen. Remember that a VPI Pet Insurance policy is the best way to protect America’s pets this holiday season.