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HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS FOR PETS

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MAIN NAVIGATION 2024

 * Adoption
    * Adoption
    * Dogs & puppies
    * Cats & kittens
    * Rabbits & small animals
    * Barn & business cats
    * Adoption process
    * Caring for your new pet
    * Recently adopted animals
    * Adoption stories
    * Pet Helpline: 952-435-7738

 * Veterinary Care
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    * AHS Veterinary Centers
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    * Pet Helpline: 952-435-7738

 * Behavior & Training
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    * AHS Training School
    * Obedience courses
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    * Pet Helpline: 952-435-7738

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AHS adoption centers will open at 1 PM on Wednesday, December 18.



MAIN NAVIGATION 2024

 * Adoption
    * Dogs & puppies
    * Cats & kittens
    * Rabbits & small animals
    * Barn & business cats
    * Adoption process
    * Caring for your new pet
    * Recently adopted animals
    * Adoption stories

 * Veterinary Care
    * AHS Veterinary Centers
    * Medical & wellness appointments
    * Dental & specialty services
    * Spay & neuter surgeries
    * End-of-life services
    * Online pharmacy
    * Emergencies & other assistance
    * Rescue & shelter services

 * Behavior & Training
    * AHS Training School
    * Obedience courses
    * Specialty classes & webinars
    * Puppy training
    * Puppy playgroups
    * Private training sessions
    * Pet behavior resources

 * Pet Services
    * Pet Helpline
    * Pet resources library
    * Community outreach
    * Surrendering & rehoming
    * Stray animals in our care
    * Lost & found pet resources
    * Community cats
    * Humane investigations

 * Education
    * Education programs
    * Youth, family & adult programs
    * Summer camps
    * Schools & community groups
    * Scout programs
    * Birthday parties

 * How to Help
    * Donate now
    * More ways to give
    * Volunteer
    * Advocate for animals
    * Report animal cruelty
    * Walk for Animals
    * Whisker Whirl
    * Donate new or gently used items
    * Join our email list
    * Purchase AHS apparel
    * Event & program partners

 * About
    * About AHS
    * Contact us
    * Hours & locations
    * Leadership
    * Careers at AHS
    * News & stories
    * Annual report & financials
    * Position statements
    * Animal welfare partnerships


DONATE BUTTON

 * Donate




BREADCRUMB

 1. Home
 2. Pet Resource Library
 3. Holiday safety tips for pets


HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS FOR PETS

Holidays can be very enjoyable for people, yet stressful and potentially
dangerous for pets. Keep the following tips in mind to keep your celebrations
safe and enjoyable for all.

Remember, pets don’t naturally understand how to behave amid the many
distractions of the holidays, so they need our help. Rather than assuming they
would never eat off of the counter or jump up on grandma, set them up for
success by managing their environment.

You can also help your dog master skills like remaining calm or basic obedience
by enrolling in our training classes. This will keep holidays safe and pleasant
for everyone!




BRUSH UP ON OBEDIENCE BEFORE GUESTS ARRIVE

Whether you plan to host guests for dinner or visitors for several days,
reviewing your dog’s skills beforehand will help set them up for success.
Practice sitting politely for petting, leave it, and settling on a mat. All your
hard work in classes will pay off.

Animal Humane Society also offers five levels of obedience courses. Completing
these courses will give you practical skills for training your dog to be a
well-mannered member of your household. 


PREPARE AND PRACTICE A CONFINEMENT SCHEDULE

If you plan to confine your pet during dinner or other parts of your weekend,
get your routine ready now so your pet knows what to expect.

Giving them the run of the house and then confining them for hours while you and
your guests are home may cause anxiety and stress-related vocalizing. Wherever
you choose to confine your pet, make it an enjoyable, relaxing place to be.




KEEP AN EXERCISE ROUTINE

Exercise not only keeps your pet healthy, but can alleviate the many stresses
that accompany the holiday season. New people, elevated noise and activity
levels, unusual smells, and irregular schedules can all contribute to
stress-related behavior problems.

Making time for exercise not only tires them out, but guarantees personal time
with you, further minimizing problem behavior.


WATCH THAT DOOR!

Your guests might not be accustomed to stopping escape artists, so prepare them
in advance with these tips for preventing door dashing.

If there will be lots of children running in and out of the house, confining
your pet to their safe space might be the best approach.


BE MINDFUL OF HAZARDS

 * Foods like chocolate, onions, garlic, alcohol, grapes, raisins, and
   sugar-free products can be harmful (even fatal) to your pets. Make sure your
   guests know not to feed your pets or leave food within their reach, and be
   sure to brush up on which popular holiday foods to avoid giving your pet.
   Even non-toxic but rich foods like turkey skin and gravy can cause
   pancreatitis.
 * Protect your pet from hazards like pill bottles and other items that guests
   might leave on their nightstand. Remember that non-pet-owning guests may be
   unaware that a pet would swallow such things.
 * Prevent fireplace accidents by keeping a screen up at all times. Consider
   using flameless LED candles in place of lit candles to avoid the risk of
   burns or house fires: a wagging tail can clear a coffee table in no time
   flat!


SUPERVISE ALL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PETS AND CHILDREN

Even if your pet is relaxed around little ones, never leave them alone together.
Young children do many things that either over-excite or frighten animals
(screaming, running around, etc.) and could lead to a bite.

If you can’t supervise interactions, confine your pet to a safe space. Get more
expert advice on supervising young kids and canines.


CONSIDER BOARDING OR FINDING OUT-OF-HOME CARE FOR FEARFUL PETS

If you plan to host a dozen visitors and your pet can barely tolerate one
without panicking, consider boarding them over the holiday or asking a trusted
friend in a quiet home to pet-sit.

This should be given special consideration if there will be small children,
unfamiliar pets, or constant activity for the entire weekend. While boarding can
certainly be stressful as well, ask yourself which will be the safest and most
controlled environment for your vulnerable pet. 

Need some help deciding who should care for your pet? We’ve created a guide with
factors to consider and questions to ask of your furry friend’s temporary
caretaker or potential boarding facilities.


QUESTIONS?

We’re here to answer your behavior questions about your pet, and provide
resources to assist you with problems you may be experiencing. 

Request behavior help


RELATED RESOURCES

Pet-sitting vs. boarding: Which is right for your pet?
Festive food your pets can eat, too!
The safest way to travel with dogs
Is pumpkin safe for dogs and cats?
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