from VPI®Pet
Insurance
Festive Fun for Everyone
The
holiday season is a time of celebration with friends and family—furry, four-legged
ones included. But colder weather, decorations and parties can create safety hazards
for pets. Make sure your holidays stay festive with these simple tips to keep
your pet healthy and safe.
Winter Holiday Dangers
Cold
weather hazards
De-icing products, salt and ice can get into fur and paws,
causing skin irritation or more serious conditions. Thoroughly wipe your pet’s
paws and tummy when he comes in from the cold. Take care to wipe up any spilled
antifreeze—dogs and cats like the sweet taste. Better yet, use petfriendly
antifreeze products.
Keep holiday decorations out of
reach
Ingestion of glass, metal, ribbons or tinsel can lead to serious
medical emergencies for pets. Also, snow globes and artificial snow contain chemicals
that can be harmful if ingested or inhaled.
Place holiday
plants high off the ground
Pretty as they are, ivy, holly, mistletoe, poinsettia,
lilies and Christmas greens can all be toxic to animals if ingested. Also, don’t
allow pets to drink Christmas tree water—it can be harmful, too.
Keep
a watchful eye on pets
Everyone loves a party, but sometimes the hustle
and bustle can frighten animals and cause them to run away. Designate a quiet,
secure “pet room” away from the crowd, and be sure that your pet is
microchipped and wearing a collar with current ID tags.
Fight
the temptation to feed table scraps
Fatty holiday meats can cause a number
of gastrointestinal problems while bones can cause bowel obstructions or choking.
And remember: no chocolate for pets! The sweet stuff contains a chemical that
is highly toxic to pets.
Walkin’in
a Winter Wonderland
Burn off some of those extra holiday
calories by taking your pet for a walk. Go for a stroll around your
neighborhood, breathe the crisp winter air and share some quality time with your
pet—you’ll both feel better for it!
Try looking
online for pet-friendly recipes so that your pet can share in the
holiday feast. Have your kids pitch in to help prepare the special treat—this
way, the whole family gets to join in the fun!
Use the festive
holiday setting to snap some memorable pictures of your pet. You’ll
treasure these priceless photos for years to come! Just be sure that any costumes
are roomy enough for your pet to be comfortable.
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Underwritten
by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Brea, CA / National Casualty Company
(all other states), Madison, WI, an A+15 rated company. Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm.
Off.
©2009 Veterinary Pet Insurance Company. Nationwide Insurance is a
service mark of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company / 09GRP637
NBA
Benefit Provider - VPI
Pet Insurance
NBA
Resource Article - Prepare for Holiday Travel:
Petiquette for Hotel Stays
NBA
Resource Article - Holiday
Travel Tips with a Furry Friend
Reprint
of this article does not constitute an endorsement by the National Business Association;
the article is for informational purposes for our members and viewers of our Web
site.
