Pet Health Articles
Have a Safe and Happy New Year with Your Pet
2017-12-18
If you think the years fly by quickly, try being a cat or dog! Then again, we don't really understand the concept of a New Year's Eve celebration. When you celebrate in a few weeks, please think about things from our perspective and make the night safe and stress-free. After all, it's almost as if you're celebrating the passing of several years on a single night.
With appreciation,
Carlos
It’s hard to believe that 2017 has just days remaining, but here we are staring down New Year’s Eve again. If you have a pet, it’s important to take a bit of extra time to consider the holiday from his perspective. It’s loud, it goes on until the wee hours of the morning, and he has no idea why people are shouting and hugging each other. In addition to heightened anxiety, New Year’s Eve can present unique pet safety hazards. The tips below can help you prevent a trip to the emergency veterinarian.
Keep Your Pet Isolated in a Safe and Comfortable Room
If you’re hosting a party or plan to bring your pet to one, it’s best to create a comfortable space for her in a room with no windows where you can close the door. That way she won’t become overly excited about things taking place outside of the home. You should prepare the room with your dog or cat’s regular food, plenty of fresh water, and her favorite toys and bedding material. Be sure to check on your pet often and reassure her if she seems frightened by noises.
If you’re hosting a party or plan to bring your pet to one, it’s best to create a comfortable space for her in a room with no windows where you can close the door. That way she won’t become overly excited about things taking place outside of the home. You should prepare the room with your dog or cat’s regular food, plenty of fresh water, and her favorite toys and bedding material. Be sure to check on your pet often and reassure her if she seems frightened by noises.
Fireworks and Noisemakers Can Terrify Your Pet
What’s New Year’s Eve without at least a few noisemakers? While you might not think a quiet December 31 sounds like much fun, the noises from these harmless party favors can really set your pet on edge. This is another reason why it’s a good idea to keep him in a separate room.
What’s New Year’s Eve without at least a few noisemakers? While you might not think a quiet December 31 sounds like much fun, the noises from these harmless party favors can really set your pet on edge. This is another reason why it’s a good idea to keep him in a separate room.
As you probably experienced during the 4th of July and other holidays, hearing fireworks can be downright terrifying to a dog or cat. Unfortunately, you can’t control whether a neighbor or the person in charge of an organized city event chooses to light fireworks. Just offer your pet plenty of comfort and block the noise the best you can with calming music.
Consider a Microchip for Your Dog or Cat
You can take several precautions and your pet can still find a way to escape from the house in the chaotic environment of a New Year’s Eve party. Buffalo Companion Animal Hospital recommends microchip identification for all pets for this reason. A collar and tag can fall off or become stuck on a fence, leaving your pet alone with no way to identify her. With a microchip, anyone who finds your dog or cat can bring her to the closest veterinary clinic or animal shelter for scanning. Since the chip holds your contact information, someone will contact you to pick her up.
You can take several precautions and your pet can still find a way to escape from the house in the chaotic environment of a New Year’s Eve party. Buffalo Companion Animal Hospital recommends microchip identification for all pets for this reason. A collar and tag can fall off or become stuck on a fence, leaving your pet alone with no way to identify her. With a microchip, anyone who finds your dog or cat can bring her to the closest veterinary clinic or animal shelter for scanning. Since the chip holds your contact information, someone will contact you to pick her up.
Pets and Alcohol Don’t Mix
Many New Year’s Eve parties include alcohol, so it’s important to make certain that it’s out of your pet’s reach. If you’re the party host, make sure your guests know there’s nothing funny about trying to get an animal drunk. Alcohol is extremely toxic for dogs and cats and they can become ill even when ingesting a tiny amount.
Many New Year’s Eve parties include alcohol, so it’s important to make certain that it’s out of your pet’s reach. If you’re the party host, make sure your guests know there’s nothing funny about trying to get an animal drunk. Alcohol is extremely toxic for dogs and cats and they can become ill even when ingesting a tiny amount.
Our entire staff wishes you and your pet a safe, happy, and healthy 2018.
Photo Credit: Judith Dzierzawa / Getty Images
Photo Credit: Judith Dzierzawa / Getty Images
