| The holiday season is upon us- and with it comes | | | | are moderately dangerous, but difficult for the cat |
| many hazards to the health and happiness of | | | | to get off the tree - use these only with great |
| your pets. Save yourself some expensive vet | | | | caution. Above all - avoid tinsel - what we used to |
| bills, save your cat some pain and anguish, and | | | | call icicles when I was young. Many a cat has |
| save your family the heartache of seeing your | | | | found it irresistible and many a cat has died from |
| kitty sick or dying. Here are some things to look | | | | eating it. It gets strung through the intestines and |
| out for: | | | | cannot be passed. Allow no tinsel in your home. |
| - Plants - most cat owners learn early on that | | | | Other things to watch for include electrical cables - |
| most plants are irresistible to cats. You may find | | | | stringing them across the floor presents |
| it annoying to have kitty shred your plants as | | | | temptation to the playful cat. Wrapping on the |
| playthings, but did you know that many plants are | | | | gifts- especially with fine ribbons or metal |
| poisonous to them? One to be especially careful | | | | decorations - can be hazardous. |
| about over the holiday season is the poinsettia. If | | | | - Treats - though tempting to let kitty share in |
| you have a cat, don't bring this plant into your | | | | the indulgences of the holiday season, be careful |
| house. Take it to the office, give it to a pet-less | | | | what you let people feed your cat. Chocolate is |
| friend, or donate it to a seniors' home. | | | | poisonous to cats, and turkey bones are brittle |
| - Decorations - many holiday decorations are | | | | and splinter easily - they present a real choking |
| hazardous to your kitty. First off - face it that | | | | hazard. Never give either to your pet. |
| kitty will be fascinated by the tree especially and | | | | If all of this sounds like a lot of work - remember |
| will naturally assume ornaments have been hung | | | | it doesn't have to be. Just a little foresight and |
| for their entertainment. Consider everything on | | | | planning will go a long way to ensuring kitty is |
| the tree from that perspective, and don't put | | | | happy and healthy over the holidays. The last |
| anything on the tree you don't want to end up as | | | | place you want to spend your holidays is at the |
| a cat toy. Broken glass bulbs can cut or choke | | | | vet emergency clinic. |
| your cat and should never be used. Tinsel garlands | | | | |