Pets and the Holidays

Tips for Keeping Your Pets Safe Around the Holidays

The holidays are always a time of cheer, but festivities can pose a danger to your beloved pet. With fancy holiday foods, shiny decorations, and friends and family filling the house, there are plenty of risks to furry family members. Ambassador Animal Hospital is here to remind Columbia pet owners of the biggest holiday dangers to your pets, and how you can prevent your pet from getting into dangerous foods or risky decorations.

Avoid Dangerous Holiday Foods for Pets

Holiday foods are often particularly dangerous for pets. Chocolates, sweets, fatty foods, and cocktails are all toxic for pets, so be sure that holiday food is well out of your pet’s reach. Ask your guests to keep food off of any coffee tables or other low pieces of furniture. Prevent your pet from getting scraps of dangerous food from the garbage by using a can with a lid or keeping it in a closed cabinet or closet.

Help Your Pets with Holiday Anxiety

Even the calmest of pets may become skittish during a noisy holiday party. To help manage your pet’s anxiety, set aside a quiet room with a cozy bed, some beloved toys, and maybe a favorite treat to give him or her a place of respite from the holiday cheer. Keeping your pet separate from the party can also help to prevent your pet from eating dangerous food. When the party is over, be sure to spend some quality time playing with your pet to help it relieve any tension or anxiety.

Keep Decorations Out of Your Pet’s Reach

Festive decorations like tinsel and candles are a major risk for pets. If tinsel or holiday plants like mistletoe and holly are swallowed, your pet will need immediate medical attention. Keep these decorations well out of your pet’s way, or better yet, skip the decorations entirely. Fake plants bring just as much holiday cheer without a serious risk to your pet.

Ambassador Animal Hospital Helps Pets in Columbia

Ambassador Animal Hospital offers emergency veterinary services in the event that your pet does eat dangerous holiday foods or decorations. Columbia residents can call (803) 787-3840 or bring the pet in during emergency operating hours. If you have any concerns about your pet’s anxiety during the holidays, contact our veterinarians for more advice on how to manage your furry friend’s anxiety.

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Columbia Office

Monday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed