Pet-proof your home for the holiday season

Spectrum, by Dave Allison

You may think that a kiss under the mistletoe is as sweet as a box of chocolate, but some holiday treats and decorations that are harmless to humans are a serious health risk to pets. This holiday season, lick your own fingers and consider purchasing fake versions of festive holiday flora. We won't tell.

They may be pretty, but they are poisonous to your pets. Holiday plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, ivy and holly berries can be dangerous, even fatal.

Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during the cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and freezing your animal to death.

Antifreeze, even in very tiny doses, is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Unfortunately, because of its sweet taste, animals are attracted to it. It contains ethylene glycol, which can cause rapid and permanent kidney damage to your pet if he ingests even a very small amount. As little as one teaspoon can be deadly for an average size cat, who can ingest the chemical just by wandering through it and then cleaning his paws. And less than four teaspoons can be dangerous to a 10-pound dog, which could lap antifreeze up from an unidentified puddle on the street. More drivers are using animal-friendly products that contain propylene glycol rather than traditional products containing ethylene glycol.

Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep and is far away from drafts and off the floor. Consider a dog or cat bed or a basket with a warm blanket or pillow in it.

Christmas and Hanukkah candles should be put in places where your pets can't over turn them and possibly set themselves -- and your house -- on fire.

Yes, they're giving you "that face" as you sit down to your holiday feast, but think twice about sneaking the little beggars some scraps. Poultry bones can splinter and cause blockages, chocolates are poisonous, and any change of diet, even for one meal, can give a dog or cat severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals that have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. But if your pet is already used to eating leftovers, feed them meat without rich sauces or spices -- even fresh vegetables -- are a good alternative. Never feed them candy or sugar. They can give your pet diarrhea or intestinal problems.

Alcoholic beverages, chocolate, coffee grounds and espresso beans, moldy or spoiled food, onions, onion powder, salt and yeast dough should be off-limits items for cats and dogs.

Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers, which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset. Stagnant tree water can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to vomiting, nausea or diarrhea. Make sure a tree skirt or a cloth covers the bottom of the Christmas tree and the water pan.

Some animals, especially kittens and puppies, like to chew on exposed wires. Unfortunately, this can electrocute your pet. Tape loose wires to baseboards and hide wiring as much as possible.

Go ahead -- get your camera and let your dog or cat romp through the boxes and wrapping paper, but remove the bows and the yarn. Cut away shopping bag handles on bags, which small dogs and cats can easily choke on. And keep aluminum foil away from your animals, which can cause vomiting and intestinal blockage.

Also, keep in mind that crowds and holiday festivities frighten some animals. If your pet does not do well with crowds and loud noise, make sure you set aside a safe and quiet haven for them to chill out if necessary.

Special holiday care for cats:

Unless you walk your cat outside, and you may, or let him come or go as he pleases, your house cat will generally do OK in the winter. However, there are a few important tips to keep in mind for your cat as well as others this winter.

Keep your cats inside. Outdoor cats can freeze, become lost or stolen, injured or killed by birds or other creatures.

During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars, where it is warmer. If you have a car, and especially if you know there are stray cats in the area, bang loudly on the hood and wait a few seconds to give the cat a chance to escape.

If you are a cat owner, remember that cats are creatures of habit. Disruptions in the home during the holidays, such as rearranging the furniture, could cause your feline to stop using the litter box.

Special tips for dogs:

Yes, your dog may have the strength and spirit of Balto, but chances are he doesn't have to save Alaska this year. So unless you're both packing off for the wild, white hinterlands this winter, keep these safety tips in mind:

Never let your dog off the leash or out of its kennel or yard in the snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Dogs frequently lose their scent in snow and ice and can easily become lost. More dogs are lost in the winter than any other season, so make sure they always wear identification tags, or have a microchip.

Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when they come in out of the sleet, snow or ice. Salt, antifreeze or other chemicals could hurt your dog if ingested while licking their paws.

If you have a short-haired breed, consider getting a warm coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck for your dog. Look for one that covers the dog from the base of the tail on top to the belly underneath. While this may seem like a pet luxury, in our cold winter weather, animals, much like humans, need an extra coat too.

Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter.

If your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, increase their supply of food, particularly protein, to keep their fur thick and healthy.

If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take them outdoors only long enough to allow them to relieve themselves.

If you have questions or concerns call your local family veterinarian. Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 right away if you suspect your animal has ingested something poisonous.

The Mat-Su Borough Animal Care and Regulation Office wishes you and your pets a happy and healthy holiday season.

Dave Allison is the chief Animal Care & Regulation officer for the Mat-Su Borough.