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While the holidays are an exciting time for the entire family, it's important to consider your pets' safety during this season. From handing over a little too much table food to ornaments breaking and injuring your pet, there are a few dangers you can prevent. Below, Montgomery Animal Hospital, an AAHA-accredited veterinary clinic in Cincinnati, OH, shares their tips for keeping your pets safe this year.

Veterinary Clinic Discusses How to Keep Animals Safe Over the Holidays

1. Limit Their Table Food Intake

It can be tempting to slip your furry friends lots of food during a holiday dinner, but that can do more harm than good. Since animal stomachs aren't made to digest human food, they may experience upset stomachs or even pancreatitis. Stick to lean meats in small portions if you want to share food. Make sure to avoid anything with onions, grapes, raisins, currants, macadamia nuts, coffee, and chocolate since these are harmful to dogs and cats.

2. Monitor Play Around Wrapping Paper

veterinary clinicWhen opening presents, pets can get caught up in playing with the leftover wrapping paper and bows. They may get trapped inside of it or eat the materials. Keep a trash bag to dispose of leftover paper and bows and keep it away from your pets. 

3. Keep Holiday Decorations Out of Reach

Pets are notorious for knocking over trees or breaking ornaments, and while it can be amusing, it’s also dangerous. A tree can land on a small cat or dog or a glass ornament can cut their paws or worse, get ingested. Make sure the tree is secured safely and breakable ornaments are placed on high branches, away from their reach. Keep tinsel away from cats - they can eat it and obstruct their intestines, requiring surgery. Make sure holiday plants like lilies and pointsettias are away from cats as well. 

4. Watch What You Bake

The holiday season brings tons of baked goods, especially chocolates and nuts. Artificial sweeteners and chocolate can make your pets extremely sick and might warrant an emergency trip to the veterinary clinic. Keep your animal hospital's number around so you can call if this happens. And, when baking, be careful not to drop anything or leave baked goods around where your pets can find them, especially during holiday parties.

The holidays can be a fun and safe time for people and pets alike. For a reliable and experienced animal hospital in Hamilton County, visit the caring team at Montgomery Animal Hospital. Whether you need veterinary clinic tips to keeping your furry friends safe during the holidays or pet medication or pet hospital care, the team is prepared to help. And for more information on pet holiday safety, visit their website or call (513) 791-7912 to set up your first veterinarian appointment today. 

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