{"id":2508,"date":"2020-12-18T14:26:57","date_gmt":"2020-12-18T14:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kitnipbox.com\/meow\/?p=2508"},"modified":"2023-02-28T08:20:26","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T08:20:26","slug":"top-5-holiday-dangers-to-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kitnipbox.com\/meow\/index.php\/2020\/12\/18\/top-5-holiday-dangers-to-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Holiday Dangers to Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During this busy holiday season, the Nationwide Pet Insurance blog<\/a> is sharing some tips to help keep kitties safe during the holidays!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preventive Measures Can Save Pets<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The holidays are a festive time for us and our pets. However, due to ongoing activities and constant distractions, we can easily overlook potential dangers to our four-legged family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take preventive measures to protect your pets this holiday season. Being aware of these top five dangers could save you a trip to the veterinary emergency room.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Holiday<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

1. Holiday Tinsel and Ornaments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tinsel, while not toxic, is very attractive to pets, particularly cats. The shiny, dangling decoration reflects light and can move in the slightest draft \u2014 appearing to come alive to watchful critters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem with tinsel is that once it\u2019s consumed, it can cause serious injury to your pet. If not caught in time, this foreign body ingestion could actually be fatal as it twists and bunches inside your pet\u2019s intestines. Immediate veterinary care is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, bright and colorful tree ornaments can attract your pet\u2019s curiosity. Place glass, aluminum and paper ornaments higher up on the tree. Pets can chew and swallow these fragile objects and not only can broken pieces form sharp edges that may lacerate your pet\u2019s mouth, throat and intestines, they could also create a choking hazard.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Holiday<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

2. Holiday Lighting and Candles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Twinkling, shiny and dangling holiday lights \u2014 such as the icicle, netting, garland, curtain, rope and candle varietal \u2014 may be another source of danger to your curious pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Got a pet that likes to chew? Electrical shock may occur when a pet chomps down on an electrical cord, causing tongue lacerations and possible death. Check your holiday lights for signs of fraying or chewing and use a grounded three-prong extension cord as a safety precaution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have candles on display, place them in a hard-to-reach spot so that your pets can not access them. Not only can pets seriously burn themselves, but knocking over candles creates a fire hazard and may leave a trail of hot wax that will easily burn the pads of paws and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Gift Wrap Ribbon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may be tempted to fashion your pet with a decorative ribbon \u201ccollar\u201d but beware that this could become a choking hazard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, it\u2019s best to quickly discard ribbons and bows wrapped around holiday gifts so that your curious companions won\u2019t be enticed to chew or swallow them. Ingested ribbon can cause a choking hazard and ultimately twist throughout the intestines, leading to emergency surgery and even death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Food Hazards<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Festive events often mean edible treats \u2014 and lots of them. Unfortunately, some of the most popular holiday goodies, such as chocolate, bones and nuts, can be extremely toxic or fatal to pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n