Helpful Hints to Make the Holidays Happy for Pets

Holiday gatherings and celebrations make many pets nervous. A stressed-out pet may bite or scratch when approached, hugged, or petted by a well-meaning guest. If your pet is frightened, place him or her in a quite room with food, water, and familiar toys. All pet owners should place identification tags with current information on their pets.

"Avoid feeding leftovers, table scraps, candy or alcohol to your pet - no matter how much they beg," says Houston SPCA executive director Patricia E. Mercer. The best treat for your pet is one made specifically for them.

Dangerous holiday decorations include angel hair, flocking, tinsel, pine needles, and candles. All tree ornaments should be placed safely out of pet's reach.

Don't surprise someone with a gift of a live animal for the holidays. Says Mercer, "a pet is for life...not just Christmas." She urges anyone considering giving an animal as a gift to choose an adoption gift certificate.

- From the Houston SPCA

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Courtesy of Texas Medical Center News

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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URL: http://www.tmc.edu/health_briefs/12_15_98-pets.html