Holiday Pet Safety Tips

For Immediate Release
12/19/2007

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) and the Cleveland Academy of Veterinary Medicine would like to remind all pet owners the importance of keeping your pet safe over the holidays.  Holiday parties in your home with guests that may not be familiar with your companion animal are a concern and also the decorations in use.  Please remember to follow these helpful tips:

• Remind your guests upon arrival that your companion animal is in the house and any precautions they or their children should take to prevent an accidental bite.  For everyone’s safety it may be best to place your companion animal in a closed room with some soft music. 
• Some plants such as holly, mistletoe, and lilies are toxic to pets.  Poinsettias may cause a pet to have an upset stomach, but is not toxic.
• Pine needles when ingested may become lodged in the mouth or intestines.
• Keep any extra electrical cords for lights or other fixtures away from pets.
• Do not let pets drink out of a tree stand water reservoir.  Fertilizers or bacteria may be present in stagnant water.
• Pets, especially cats, are known to eat tinsel which can block their intestines.  Keep it out of reach.
• Put away toys after use and be mindful to pick up small plastic pieces or rubber balls that can be lodged in pet’s throat or intestines.
• If you think your pet may have eaten something toxic call your veterinarian or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 24 hour emergency hotline at 1-888-426-4435.

Source: paw-rescue.org    

For additional information please contact: Mr. Joe Lynch, Program Manager at CCBH, at 216-201-2001 ext: 1241 or check the CCBH website at www.ccbh.net for additional information.