Follow these tips to make sure you and you pet have a happy and safe New Year!
Celebration fireworks or other loud noises can frighten pets
If you are leaving for the evening, make sure your pets are secured in your home. Provide them with a quiet area that is familiar to them, and make sure they have everything they need, such as food, fresh water, safe chew toys for dogs, and a litter box for cats. It’s also helpful to leave on a TV or radio to provide ambient noise. Even if you plan on a quiet New Year’s at home, remember that neighbors may be celebrating and could disturb your pet. Be sure to take all the same precautions.
Microchip, ID, and update your information
Even if you’re keeping your pets safely confined, each pet should have a microchip and/or an ID tag with your current contact information. Be sure to use a breakaway/safety collar for cats. Dogs and cats can get spooked and try to escape, or a guest may unknowingly open the door to the room in which your pets are confined. ID’s may not prevent your pets from getting lost, but they will ensure a speedy reunion if they do get out.
Party Animals
If you are having a celebration at your home, give your pet a quiet place to get away if your festivities become too overwhelming. Keep your pet safely confined indoors. If you plan to have guests over, settle your pets into a quiet room with access to food, water, a familiar toy, a soft place to snuggle, a litter box for your cat, and a crate for your dog. If possible, choose a room without windows as frightened pets have been known to try to jump through windows; alternatively, make sure any windows are securely shut and the curtains closed. Don’t allow guests into this room, even to drop off jackets or purses. Remind your guests that table scraps are a no-no—no matter how cute your pet looks!
Make sure alcohol is out of your pets’ reach
Alcoholic beverages are poisonous and potentially deadly to our pets. If ingested, alcohol could cause our pets to become intoxicated and weak, depressed or comatose. Death from respiratory failure is also possible in severe cases.
Beware of decorations
Streamers, balloons and noisemakers can be very tempting for our pets, but they present a choking hazard if ingested. They also could result in a painful blockage and costly trip to the vet.
Give them a treat
Take a nice long walk during the day to avoid all of the evening activities, which could include parties, loud noises and potentially unsafe drivers on the road. If you decide to take an evening walk, try using a blinker or lighted collar to make sure you and your pet are visible and safe.
Keep the number of an emergency vet contact available
Just in case there is an emergency you are prepared.