Tis the season for holiday parties, family dinners and caroling. During such a festive time, it is important that your animal companions have a 
joyous holiday and stay warm too. Here are some tips to help make sure that this holiday season is a safe one for pets and people alike:
· Keep your pets in a quiet, relaxing environment to avoid unneeded stress and any attempts to escape outside when guests arrive.
· Never feed any chocolate to your pet since it can be poisonous. If ingested, contact your veterinarian immediately.
· Place holiday decorations out of reach for your pets. Christmas lights, tinsel, electrical cords and other decorative lights can be dangerous if chewed or swallowed.
· Avoid feeding your pet any table scraps, and caution guests from giving your pet any “special treats.”
· Don’t put holiday plants, such as holly, mistletoe and poinsettias, in reach of your pets. These plants can be deadly if ingested.
· Dispose of all trash properly and promptly. Throw away food scraps, gift-wrap and ribbon, as they can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed.
· Never leave your dog or cat outside in the cold weather, especially when the temperature falls below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Windchill can threaten an animal’s life, so only take your pet outdoors for exercise and potty breaks.
· Bang loudly on the hood or honk the horn before starting your car. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes will crawl up inside a car engine to seek warmth.
· Thoroughly wipe your dog’s paws, legs and stomach after being outside in sleet, snow or ice. Salt, antifreeze and other chemicals can irritate their skin, as well as hurt your pet if ingested.
· Make sure your pet wears a collar with an identification tag at all times, even if he only lives indoors. The ID tag should include your current address and phone number, so you easily can be contacted should your missing pet be found. You also may want to consider having a microchip implanted in your pet, in case his collar or tag becomes lost.
