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By Laurie Rich

Though the holidays can be a magical and special time of year, filled with planning, shopping, cooking and baking, and family gatherings, they can also pose some special dangers for your pets. The following tips can help keep you and your four-legged friends safe during the season's festivities.

• Crowds of people and holiday festivities can frighten animals. If you plan to entertain, plan ahead on your pets' behalf. Make sure they have a "safe haven" where they can retreat.
  
  
• Supervise lit candles at all times. Pets may be attracted to the bright moving lights. Not only could they receive serious burns, but they could knock over lit candles, posing a serious fire hazard.
  
  
• Beware of simmering potpourri or potpourri oil. Most potpourri liquids contain natural or essential oils, which, if ingested, can cause vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, weakness, and even liver damage. Some products also contain cationic detergents, which is even more toxic. Cats are often exposed to potpourri oils by rubbing against leaky bottles or against pots containing the oil, or by accidentally spilling the oil onto themselves from a pot.
  
  
• Cover or tack down electrical cords, or spray with Bitter Apple, to prevent chewing.
  
  
• The foil wraps from candy (or aluminum foil from any other source) can cause serious internal injuries if swallowed, and large amounts of sugar can be extremely toxic to your pet. (In particular, chocolate is highly toxic to your dog.) Keep all sweets safely out of reach of your pet.
  
  
• Though it can be tempting, don't give your pet large amounts of cooked turkey or ham during the holidays. Human food is too rich for your furry friends; overfeeding of this type of food can cause health problems. And any sudden change of diet, even for just one meal, can give your pet stomach pain and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals, with digestive systems that are often more delicate and who have more strict nutritional requirements.
  
  
• Don't forget that bones can be extremely dangerous -- especially poultry bones, which splinter easily and can cause intestinal blockage or internal lacerations. Keep your pet on his or her regular diet, and ask your visitors not to give your pet "special treats."
  
  
• Several Christmas-season plants are poisonous to pets. The list includes ivy (all parts; moderate to extreme toxicity); holly (both leaves and berries; moderate to extreme toxicity); mistletoe (all parts, but especially the berries; extreme toxicity); Christmas greens such as balsam, juniper, cedar, pine, and fir (all parts; low-level toxicity); hibiscus (may cause vomiting or bloody diarrhea if ingested); and poinsettia (leaves and stems; low-level toxicity). Numerous other plants are toxic to your pets. In general, it's a good idea to keep plants out of the reach of your children and pets.
  
  
• Though fireplace colors (fire salts) can be beautiful, they are of moderate toxicity to your pets and can cause gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting and, if ingested in enough volume, convulsions.
  
  
• Decorations around the house should be carefully placed so your pets can't pull or bite off any small pieces which could be swallowed.
  
  
• A Christmas tree should stand in a flat, wide base. Consider anchoring the tree with fishing line tied to drapery rods, a ceiling, or wall hook, since cats often think of a tree as their own private climbing post. You might want to consider putting your tree in a room with doors that close.
  
  
• Angel hair (spun glass) decoration used on your tree or around your house is toxic to animals and can cause irritation of the eyes and skin, or laceration of the gastrointestinal tract. Artificial snow and snow flock present low-level toxicity. Though the dry particles are inert, toxicity from inhalation can occur if spayed directly in the mouth, or particles can block noses. Tinsel isn't toxic, but if ingested, intestinal obstruction and choking can occur, so if you use tinsel, keep it well out of reach of your pet.
  
  
• The lovely bubbling holiday lights provide moderate to lethal toxicity, depending on the amount of fluid (methylene chloride) that a pet might inhale or ingest should a bulb break. If you use this type of lighting, consider using it only in areas too high for your pet to reach.
  
  
• Hang your treasured and breakable ornaments higher on the Christmas tree so curious paws can't reach them. Use larger wooden, metal, or cast-resin ornaments on the lower branches in case your pet wants to check them out.
  
  
• Glass balls can shatter in an animal's mouth. Broken pieces can be deadly if ingested.
  
  
• Resist the temptation to tie ribbons around your pet's neck for the holidays. A ribbon could accidentally become tightened, or become caught on an object, resulting in choking.
  
  
• Keep gift ribbons and bows out of sight to prevent chewing and swallowing.
  
  
• Metal ornament hooks can pose a serious choking hazard if ingested. Replace them with loops of tightly-knotted ribbons, lightweight twine, or yarn to slip over the branches of the tree.
  
  
• Cranberry and popcorn strands can be deadly to pets, causing intestinal obstruction or becoming wrapped around your pet's neck.

And don't forget, increased activity and visitors during the winter holiday season can upset your pet's routine. Try to keep your pet on his or her regular feeding and exercise schedule -- and be sure to give your pet plenty of love to ensure that you both enjoy the holidays.

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