Happy Hanukkah to our friends who celebrate this special time of year. With the focus on the Holiday season it is a good time to give some reminders for keeping your FURkids safe. Hanukkah decorations can prove tempting to our furry family members. Noses, paws and tails can knock glass and ceramic decorations over breaking them. It is a good idea to make sure displays containing breakables are on walls or places higher than your canine’s eye level. In the case of felines, breakables should be in a place where kitty can’t jump to. Breakables not only cause cuts but fragments can be ingested causing internal perforations and requiring surgical removal. String, thin ribbon, metal hooks and wire can cause emergency intestinal issues for both dogs and cats.
A menorah with real candles or oil is a beautiful sight and fascinating to pets. Make sure furry family members are supervised when in the same room; better yet confine them away from the room containing the menorah or any candelabra.
Remember, puppies and kittens love to chew and gnaw on just about everything. The electric cords for decorative lights and menorahs will be too tempting to resist. Besides electric shock to your pet there is the potential of fire. To keep your pet and possessions safe, purchase s Bitter Apple to spray on the cords. Make sure you spray the cords thoroughly; the smell will keep them from tasting the sprayed item.
Of course, everyone looks forward to all the food, desserts and treats associated with Hanukkah. Whether you are trying new recipes or making traditional holiday favorites, family and guests should be reminded not to feed the four-legged family members human food. Have some special pet treats available for guests to give to your pet but make sure their intake is monitored. Don’t overfeed or feed foods not usually included in their regular diet to your pets. Don’t let anyone give them alcohol of any kind, soda, coffee or tea and no chocolate! Grapes, raisins, avocados and onions are poisonous to pets.
To read more about keeping your FURkid safe during Hanakka visit 8 Paws and 2 Tails Blog