There is absolutely nothing wrong with confining indoor pets by themselves while you’re entertaining guests. That keeps pets safe, out from underfoot, and allows you to enjoy visitors without worry. Offer the fur-kids some safe fun toys. Lots of holiday-theme options abound. Magic is a fan of the Orbee-Tuff toys—I understand they even have glow-in-the-dark Halloween products for dogs.

Guests sometimes offer pets snacks that aren’t appropriate. Why not stock up on some special holiday goodies just for the pets? My cat Seren adores salmon treats, including Kitty Kaviar, Wildside Salmon and Grizzly Nutreats , and Crunch & Clean dental treats. Magic eats anything, including cat treats, but lately is enjoying playing with and munching on Fetch’erz™ Ballz (made from hemp). These make great pet stocking stuffers, too.

Keep holiday candy out of reach, in latched cupboards, to keep your canine glutton from over-indulging. Tinfoil and cellophane candy wrappers can be dangerous to pets if swallowed—dogs and cats rarely unwrap treats before eating. Gobbling any sort of candy may cause vomiting and/or diarrhea, but chocolate poses special dangers. Too much chocolate, which contains a stimulant called theobromine, can kill your pet. Eating raw yeast bread dough also causes problems when the dough rises in the tummy.

FIRST AID TIPS

First-aid can save a life, sustain a life, control damage, and/or relieve discomfort. Before anything else, put your veterinarian’s emergency number on speed dial. After using first aid, always follow up with the vet for proper care. Further details about these and 150 other emergency situations can be found in The First-Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats.

SWALLOWED STUFF: For non-sharp items (chocolate, candy wrappers, holiday plants), induce vomiting. The tummy empties in about two hours so it won’t be effective after that time period.

· Feed a small meal

· Administer 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 1-2 teaspoons for every 10 pounds of pet

· Use a needleless syringe, eyedropper or turkey baster and squirt into the pet’s mouth.

STOPPED BREATHING:

• Close pet’s muzzle with hand
• Cover pet’s nose with your mouth
• Give mouth-to-NOSE rescue breathing, 15-20 breaths per minute.
• “Puff’ air for small pets, blow harder for large dogs--watch for rise & fall of chest.

STOPPED HEART:

• 1st person gives rescue breathing (see above)
• 2nd person administer chest compressions, 80 to 100 per minute
• Note: extremely difficult even for veterinarian with proper equipment, so try…

ACUPUNCTURE RESUSCITATION

· Find slit in pet’s upper lip, below the nose

· JAB a needle or safety pin into the center of slit

· Insert to the bone, wiggle back and forth

· This acupuncture technique stimulates the release of natural adrenaline (epinephrine), a drug used in cardiac arrests by veterinarians to stimulate the heart and breathing.

HELPFUL EMERGENCY HOME SUPPLIES

• Karo syrup or honey smeared on pet’s gums help counteract shock
• Leg of pantyhose or a necktie serves as makeshift muzzle
• Pillowcase works great to transport small pets
• Stabilize broken legs by encasing in bubble wrap
• Plastic wrap sticks to itself (but not fur) and holds bandages or wounds together
• Keep cuts and wounds moist with temporary use of saline solution or K-Y jelly
• Move injured pets on rigid objects such as cookie sheet or ironing board
• Sanitary napkins and diapers work well as pressure bandages to stop bleeding
• To contain bleeding from torn nails, pull a condom over the paw

Ensure your holiday season this year is enjoyable for the entire family, including your furry wonders. Prevent major pet peeves with common sense, and your cats and dogs will “fang” you very much.

For more great pet safety information, click on the Pet ‘Net Safety Event logo, above.

Amy D. Shojai, an IAABC Certified animal Behavior Consultant, is a nationally known pet care specialist and author of 22 pet books including The First-Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats. Subscribe to her free monthly e-newsletter Pet Peeves at her website www.shojai.com