By Rylee Coy
Division of Communicatios and Marketing
MANHATTAN —Keep the holiday season cheerful by protecting pets from potential hazards. Susan Nelson, clinical professor and veterinarian at the Kansas State University Hill's Pet Health and Nutrition Center, cautions pet owners about the unexpected dangers that celebrations of the season can present to curious animals
."Homes are often decked for the holidays, and many decorations and wrapping items have the potential to cause harm if ingested, bitten or knocked over," Nelson said. "These include items such as ribbons, tinsel, hooks, electrical cords, candles, oil lamps, potpourri, ornaments and wreaths."If pets ingest holiday plants, it can cause anything from minor gastrointestinal irritation to life-threatening toxicity. Nelson says to keep mistletoe, holly, amaryllis, balsam, pine and cedar out of reach. Certain water additives for Christmas trees can also be toxic to pets.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals provides a list of plants toxic to dogs and cats on its website.Holiday festivities might be fun for people, but Nelson said they can be stressful for pets. Strangers and crowds can make animals anxious, so Nelson advises keeping them in a comfortable, quiet place away from the commotion with a favorite toy or treat. Even if pets enjoy company, they should still have access to a room or crate in a calm area where guests won't disturb them.
For pets that are stressed by visitors, Nelson recommends consulting with a veterinarian about prescribing anxiolytics to help decrease the pet's anxiety until the visitors are gone."It's important to make sure pets have identification, like a collar with tags or a microchip," Nelson added. "That way, if they slip through the door and run away as guests enter or leave, the pet can be returned. It's critical for tags and microchips to have the most up-to-date contact information to help with reunification."