Zaya a German Short Haired Pointer dog found a fun way to keep herself busy while her human family had gone out shopping for final Christmas purchases.  All the shiny bows and glittery wrapped presents under the Christmas tree were just too tempting for Zaya to ignore.  Upon arriving home, the family found that Zaya had unwrapped all the gifts under the tree.  All the boxes were unwrapped and chewed open exposing every single gift.  There were ribbons, cardboard, tissue paper and confetti of shiny wrapping paper scattered across the living room floor.  

      Pets can be very curious and may want to investigate wrapped packages so it is best to keep them put away in a safe place until it’s time for the gift exchange.   Cats are notorious for playing and chewing on ribbon.  Ribbon is a hazard to any animal if ingested so care should be used when disposing of ribbons and paper.  Consider using alternatives other than ribbon when decorating presents this season to prevent any mishaps.  

      While most of us thrive on the hustle and bustle of the holidays our pets can feel stressed by all the different things going on in the household from parties to changes in normal routine.  Holiday guests probably won’t know your pets’ routines so it is best to let them know in advance if your pet is allowed to have any treats, what type of treats, how much or if your pet is on a special diet.   

      Holiday guests will be tempted to feed treats like table food that may be fatty or rich.  Foods such as turkey skins or gravy can cause severe gastro upset which can lead to severe stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea.  It is very easy for pets to get into trouble counter surfing or getting into the garbage when we’re busy entertaining our holiday guests.  To prevent unplanned visits to the vet during the holidays make certain that leftovers or bones are disposed of promptly and properly.  No types of bones are ever safe for any size or breed of dog.  Bones can lead to vomiting and diarrhea or even worse, intestinal blockages or broken teeth.

      We wish you and your pets a stress free and safe holiday.  If your pet does encounter any hazards or becomes ill over the holidays there is always a veterinarian in town available to help.  The clinic on call for emergencies can be reached through the answering service at 705-671-3949.