Loose items around your pet's neck could be a strangulation hazard.

With all the shopping, decorating, cooking, and entertaining we do in the holiday season, it can be easy to overlook the needs of our four-legged companions. Filled with hustle, bustle, and houses full of guests, the holidays can be both exciting and stressful for our pets, and all of the unfamiliar decorations can increase the chances of injury or illness for cats, dogs, and other animals. When you plan this year's celebrations, make sure you keep your pet's safety in mind.

Janine Pierce is the owner of J9's K9s Dog Training, which is based in the Los Angeles area and offers group classes and private lessons for practical obedience and solving behavior problems. Pierce is a board member of Valley Hills Obedience Club, belongs to several other dog related organizations, and has been featured in and written articles for national publications. Here she offers some important holiday pet safety tips:

• Keep holiday decor out of reach.
  Holiday gifts and decorations can seem like toys to your cat or dog, but could cause injury or illness if chewed or swallowed. Make sure to keep all holiday decorations at a height where your dog or cat can't get at them.
  
• Be careful with lit candles.
  Be aware that your pet's tail could sweep breakable items off a low table. Be especially careful of holiday candles, for the safety of your pet and everyone in your home. Never leave lit candles unattended, especially where pets might come into contact with them or knock them over.
  
• Be cautious with bows and ribbons.
  Never leave holiday bows or decorations around the neck of an unsupervised pet. The outfit might look cute to you, but it can seriously injure your pet if gets snagged on something around the house.
  
• Keep toxic holiday plants away from pets.
  Many of the plants that we typically use for holiday decoration, like mistletoe or poinsettia, can be poisonous to pets. Make sure that these decorations are kept well out of your pet's reach.

For more about pet safety during the holidays, check out the following organizations or websites:

J9sK9s
www.j9sk9s.com

Security World.com: Holiday Pet Safety
www.securityworld.com/library

County of Orange Health Care Agency: Holiday Pet Safety Tips
www.ochealthinfo.com

Helen Woodward Animal Center: Pet Safety Tips for The Holiday
www.animalcenter.org

Pet Safety Dring the Holidays by Kim Marie Pezza
njnj.essortment.com

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