Keep Your Pets Safe This Christmas

Christmas pet safety.

Your pet is most likely very curious about all the fun Christmas decorations that are out.  Here are some tips on keeping your pet safe around the holidays:

• Poinsettias, holly and mistletoe can be toxic to inquisitive pets.  It is important to keep plants up and out of reach of both your dog and cat.
• If part of your holiday decorations includes a live tree, remember pine needles can create a danger to any pet that may attempt to eat one.  Needles can puncture the intestines of your pet, so keep your tree watered and clean up fallen needles as soon as possible.
• It is in a cat’s nature to be very curious and usually find indoor trees very entertaining.  As any cat owner would know, cats love to go after things that sparkle and move.  Tinsel is in this category and is extremely dangerous if ingested.  Glass ornaments should be placed up high to keep noses and paws away.
• Be careful not to let your pet drink the tree water if you have put any type of additives in it.
• For anyone that has seen the Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation movie, you would know the danger caused by electrical cords under and around the tree.  It is important to tape down or cover electrical cords to keep your pet from chewing on them.
• If you are planning on hosting a party, make sure to keep animals in a back room away from guests and the door.  While people are arriving it is possible your cat or dog could escape.  Also, while enjoying your holiday meals with family, it is important not to let animals eat scraps from the table; especially rich food usually served during the holidays as it can cause stomach upset or even pancreatitis attacks.

Clear The Air wishes you and your pets a safe and fantastic Holiday Season!

Cats and Christmas Trees

The Christmas Tree vs. The Cat.

Christmas is here and it is time to set up your Christmas tree. Who has experienced their fun little feline charge up the top of their tree, knocking over ornaments and causing destruction?  We have!!

We would like to share a few tips on keeping your cat out of the tree this year.  Keep in mind, however, it is a cat’s natural behavior that your cat is going to enjoy doing.  He is probably thanking you for putting this entertainment right in your home for him to enjoy!

One of the best solutions is to take a spray bottle with water and spray your cat every time it approaches the tree. This would act as a form of discipline or as a deterrent. It does not take much. After spritzing a few times, all you have to do is shake the bottle at them. They learn fast!

Here are a few other things you can try to discourage your cat from scampering up your Christmas tree.

• Place orange peels around the base of your Christmas tree. Cats do not like the smell of orange.
• Spray your artificial tree with some Citronella oil that is mixed in a spray bottle with water. Again, cats do not like the citrus smell.
• Spray pine cones with the Citronella oil/water spray. Spread the pine cones under your tree.
• Use an artificial tree. Maybe your cat will not be tempted to climb the metal branches.
• Place bells around the bottom of your tree. No, the sound of the bell does not frighten the cats, but it does sound an alarm for you! Once you hear the bells, you get the water bottle. Before you know it, the kitties learn the connection.

Do you have any funny Christmas tree Vs. The Cat stories from Christmas’s past?  Please share them on our blog!