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For pet's sake! Follow this advice for a safe Christmas with your 'best friend'
December 20, 2007
Source: Orangeburg (SC) Times and Democrat. December 17, 2007. By Dionne Gleaton
Food, fun and fellowship are what millions of families will be celebrating this holiday season, but an often extended family of pets must also be protected to ensure their season is merry rather than deadly.
Mars Petcare US Inc. has an Orangeburg site that is providing tips for pet owners and pet sitters to ensure Fido doesn't choke on a Christmas ornament, chew on electrical cords or get sickened by holiday lilies.
"With animals, as well as little children, keep ornaments out of a pet's reach," said Bertille Glass, spokesperson for the Mars Petcare facility in Orangeburg. "Also, make sure the tree is secure. Tie it down or secure it so that it doesn't topple over if the dog brushes against it, particularly a large dog."
Glass said the public should keep the welfare of their pets a top priority not only during the holidays, but year-round. She said the tip list, however, is very important in educating them on how to best care for their pets during a busy holiday season.
"We care very much about pets," Glass said. "Particularly for new pet owners, we just thought they would need this information to be mindful that their pet is well-taken care of and is safe.
"They're members of the family, and it's important to consider their nutrition, the exercise that they're getting, and that they're safe and secure."
Mars Petcare US is the U.S. pet care operations of Mars Inc., one of the world's leading food manufacturers. Their holiday pet safety tips are taken from Dr. Marty Becker, author and resident veterinarian on "Good Morning America." Becker offers the following tips for keeping pets safe:
Chocolate poses a threat to pets; however, common holiday dish ingredients, such as raisins and onions, can be just as harmful and cause kidney failure.
Avoid the urge to give dogs table scraps. The wrong food types can cause pancreatitis, a painful, sometimes fatal condition. Opt for a pet-friendly treat instead.
It is often overlooked, but dogs will go through the garbage, so keep foods not fit for pets out of reach by disposing of them in air-tight containers or in outside dumpsters.
Pets and poinsettias do not mix; however, be aware that holiday lilies are the real danger. While they are fragrant, they can ultimately cause serious illness and, in the case of cats, death.
Make sure the Christmas tree is sturdily secured to the wall using fishing line. To ensure dogs don't chew on something they shouldn't, run electrical cords from lights through PVC piping. Also, consider avoiding glass ornaments and tinsel, both of which can be enticing to pets.
Ask friends and family to ide.jpgy gifts that may not be pet-friendly with a post-it note so you can be sure to keep them out of a pet's reach.
Be sure to keep a close eye on excited pets, as the holidays often mean more visitors who require the front door being constantly open. Try to ensure pets don't dart out and risk getting hit by a car or lost.
Watch out for prescription medication that out-of-town guests may bring into the home that pose a danger to pets. Keep it secured in a drawer away from pets -- even if it's in a sealed, child-proof container.
Antifreeze can be poisonous to your dog, so make sure the driveway and garage are free of antifreeze stains to safeguard against the pet and others being in danger.
For more tips or information, visit pedigree-landingPage.
Glass said pets are often a large, vital part of their owner's lives, so keeping their environment safe should not be an afterthought.
"I just think it's important to keep a healthy and safe environment in mind for our pets. Pets give back so much to us not only at Christmastime, but all through the year," she said. "They don't care what kind of day we had at work, they're just happy to see us."
December 20, 2007
Source: Orangeburg (SC) Times and Democrat. December 17, 2007. By Dionne Gleaton
Food, fun and fellowship are what millions of families will be celebrating this holiday season, but an often extended family of pets must also be protected to ensure their season is merry rather than deadly.
Mars Petcare US Inc. has an Orangeburg site that is providing tips for pet owners and pet sitters to ensure Fido doesn't choke on a Christmas ornament, chew on electrical cords or get sickened by holiday lilies.
"With animals, as well as little children, keep ornaments out of a pet's reach," said Bertille Glass, spokesperson for the Mars Petcare facility in Orangeburg. "Also, make sure the tree is secure. Tie it down or secure it so that it doesn't topple over if the dog brushes against it, particularly a large dog."
Glass said the public should keep the welfare of their pets a top priority not only during the holidays, but year-round. She said the tip list, however, is very important in educating them on how to best care for their pets during a busy holiday season.
"We care very much about pets," Glass said. "Particularly for new pet owners, we just thought they would need this information to be mindful that their pet is well-taken care of and is safe.
"They're members of the family, and it's important to consider their nutrition, the exercise that they're getting, and that they're safe and secure."
Mars Petcare US is the U.S. pet care operations of Mars Inc., one of the world's leading food manufacturers. Their holiday pet safety tips are taken from Dr. Marty Becker, author and resident veterinarian on "Good Morning America." Becker offers the following tips for keeping pets safe:
Chocolate poses a threat to pets; however, common holiday dish ingredients, such as raisins and onions, can be just as harmful and cause kidney failure.
Avoid the urge to give dogs table scraps. The wrong food types can cause pancreatitis, a painful, sometimes fatal condition. Opt for a pet-friendly treat instead.
It is often overlooked, but dogs will go through the garbage, so keep foods not fit for pets out of reach by disposing of them in air-tight containers or in outside dumpsters.
Pets and poinsettias do not mix; however, be aware that holiday lilies are the real danger. While they are fragrant, they can ultimately cause serious illness and, in the case of cats, death.
Make sure the Christmas tree is sturdily secured to the wall using fishing line. To ensure dogs don't chew on something they shouldn't, run electrical cords from lights through PVC piping. Also, consider avoiding glass ornaments and tinsel, both of which can be enticing to pets.
Ask friends and family to ide.jpgy gifts that may not be pet-friendly with a post-it note so you can be sure to keep them out of a pet's reach.
Be sure to keep a close eye on excited pets, as the holidays often mean more visitors who require the front door being constantly open. Try to ensure pets don't dart out and risk getting hit by a car or lost.
Watch out for prescription medication that out-of-town guests may bring into the home that pose a danger to pets. Keep it secured in a drawer away from pets -- even if it's in a sealed, child-proof container.
Antifreeze can be poisonous to your dog, so make sure the driveway and garage are free of antifreeze stains to safeguard against the pet and others being in danger.
For more tips or information, visit pedigree-landingPage.
Glass said pets are often a large, vital part of their owner's lives, so keeping their environment safe should not be an afterthought.
"I just think it's important to keep a healthy and safe environment in mind for our pets. Pets give back so much to us not only at Christmastime, but all through the year," she said. "They don't care what kind of day we had at work, they're just happy to see us."
