Let's keep our pets safe during the Holidays

The Christmas tree:

Attach your tree solidly, don’t underestimate your pets, cats who climb or dogs who can make it fall with their tails. Try to use more robust decorations, be careful with angel hair, ribbons and sequence. These decorations are particularly attractive to cats and when ingested, they can block their intestine, which requires a surgical intervention to be removed. Be careful of wreathes with lights, hide the wires, you can also use a repellent like Bitterspray sold over the counter. This product has a bitter taste to discourage your pet from attacking the wires or other decorations. Think of regularly picking up the needles that have fallen from your magnificent Christmas tree because they are indigestible and may cause vomiting or even diarrhea in your pet. (If it consists of an artificial tree, the needles can even cause a foreign body and block the intestines).

The gifts:

Yes, the ribbons and strings make your gifts look nice, but decorate your packages with moderation, they represent a danger to the animal when ingested.

Do not give your dog or cat bones. Poultry bones can easily break and provoke serious injuries and the fragments of the bones can even cause intestinal blockages.

Do not offer your pet chocolate: The component contained in the chocolate that is harmful to your dog is theobromine. Humans can easily metabolize theobromine, but this is not the case for dogs who can quickly suffer from an accumulation of toxins in their system.

Avoid giving leftovers, even if you think you’re making him happy, they can cause your companion a severe indigestion and/or diarrhea.

The best thing you can do for your pet during the holidays is to maintain his regular eating habits and only give him treats made for pets. If you suspect that your pet has ingested a potentially toxic substance, call your veterinarian immediately.

̎Keep your pets far from these ̎

Not everybody likes to party, for some timid animals the holidays are a period of stress, prepare a quiet place to make this moment agreeable for your pet.

The product Feliway (for cats) or Adaptil (for dogs) can help your pet to face these stressful situations. (Product sold over the counter. Ask your veterinarian or animal health technician for advice).

Noise, stress, excitement, visitors… Realize that it is important that your pet has his own quiet place all to himself with fresh water always available and don’t forget to smother him with love every day as usual.

The entire team at MONVET Veterinary Group Inc. wishes you Happy Holidays!