Veterinary expert shares tips to protect your furry friends this holiday season



ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Our four-legged family members can be very used to a routine, and with holiday decor, or extra guests in the house, there are some steps you should take to make sure your pets stay safe over the holiday season.

Experts with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine say the holiday may be a bit easier than say the Fourth of July since, there are not that many loud noises we have to deal with. But as family members come over to visit, you should calm down your more active pets by having extra play time before everyone arrives.

Also, if you have guests who aren’t around animals, or kids who do not necessarily know how to read pet body language, having them meet in a controlled setting might be best.

“You know your pet best, and some we know are very outgoing and love to meet new people, and those are the easier ones. But they still need their own space to retreat to, if they’re feeling a little bit overwhelmed, or maybe you know that your pet is not the most outgoing, and doesn’t enjoy that as much. Maybe they would benefit from just having their own quiet space,” said Dr. Michael Nappier, Clinical Associate Professor, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

It’s not just our guests we have to worry about, decorations can also be a concern with our furry family members. Tinsel can be dangerous for our pets to ingest, so make sure you have them out of reach or not in your house at all.

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If you have a Christmas tree, veterinary experts suggest putting ornaments out of reach, or have pet toys near the tree. Also be sure your tree is very secure, so it won’t topple over.

Veterinary experts say it’s ok to share some of your holiday meals with pets, in moderation of course, and be sure to know what foods aren’t safe for them like garlic and onions, as well
as sugar-free sweeteners.



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