Windsor

Here's how you can keep your pet safe this holiday season

There's a lot of ways for your pet to get hurt this holiday season - here's how you can keep them safe.

Three tips from the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society for your favourite furball

Here's how you can keep your pets safe this holiday season

7 years ago
Duration 1:00
These are the three ways you can protect your pets from harm this holiday season.

Tidy that tinsel, check those bowls and leave your pet a bit of space to play by itself this holiday season.

Those are the big three tips from the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society.

"The last thing you want is a trip to the vet on Boxing Day," said executive director Melanie Coulter

Here's some ways you can help your pet have a stress free holiday season this year. 

1. Skip the scraps

Coulter knows those puppy dog eyes are hard to turn down when they stare at you from underneath the table just as you're realizing there's a bit too much food on your plate.

The holiday season can present a lot of potential problems for pets but there are ways you can help. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

She said as tempting as it might be — turn those last bites into leftovers. 

"Some of those can cause an upset stomach," said Coulter, especially food like chocolate that tends to by left around houses in December. 

2. Let them be

If your household is welcoming in a new pet or you're celebrating with one that's been around for a while, Coulter said you should make sure they aren't overwhelmed. 

"When you've got so many people visiting that's not always something pets like," said Coulter. 

The Windsor/Essex County Humane Society has a few tips that could keep a smile on your pet's face this month. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

She suggests placing one of your pet's favourite toys inside of a large, quiet room so they don't get stressed out meeting all those unfamiliar family members.

3. Clean it up 

Tinsel, trees and your kitty named Timmy are not meant for each other.

"Most people with pets have already figured out if they can climb the tree or not," Coulter said with a laugh.

Melanie Coulter is the executive directer at the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society.
Melanie Coulter is the executive directer at the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

"They've got gifts under the tree, the tree themselves have hazards," said Coulter, adding it might be a good idea to do a check of the house from your family pet's level to see what they can get into.