A holiday is a family occasion, bringing joy and gathering of family members, including pets, but there is a flip side of the coin: possible harm to your pet. In all the bustle that comes with a typical American holiday - planning, party arrangements, preparations for picnics, shopping, and rushing about - pets not only fall prey to neglect, but also suffer serious injuries and disease. Special care needs to be taken for the health of your pets on holidays like Christmas, Easter, Independence Day, Halloween, and other days of festivity.

Points to Remember for Your Pet's Safety

Since you want no harm of any kind to befall your dear pet on a holiday, remembering the following points will secure your home animals an appreciable degree of safety.

Noise

It is not uncommon for pets, especially younger dogs and cats, to become frightened because of excessive noise which is all too common in a holiday party. Very often, pets rush out or leap down heights in search of safety from frightening noise, resulting in possible death or disability. Always take care to keep your pet confined in a noiseless and safe place on such occasions.

Harmful Substances

That which adds color and style to your holiday party can result in your pet in serious trouble. Confetti and dress items like rubber bands, if swallowed, can cause choking and intestinal injury in your pet dog or cat. Edibles like chocolate are also harmful particularly to cats. Plastic items are another hazard, so don't leave them out in the animals' reach.

Plants

Flowers and fresh plants add color to a holiday celebration at home. They can also add poison to your pet's stomach. Even some very common plants, or their certain parts, can be harmful to your dog and (more particularly) cat. As a safe measure, get a list of toxic plants, especially those that are more common in homes, so as not to poison your pet with them. Also, get first aid brochures for instant help in case of poisoning.

Fireworks

Independence Day is one big alarm for pet owners, owing to the joy of fireworks. The colorful flashes and explosive noise frequently cause panic among pets and they meet with accidents from rushing about for safety. The possibility of hitting an animal with a carelessly handled firecracker is always there. Keep your animals safe in a room away from noise on Independence Day.

Candles

What happens often in Halloween is the burning of many a pet animal by coming in contact with candles that are in their reach. They might also paw candles down and cause fires, turning the holiday into a real nightmare. To prevent fires, keep your Halloween candles well out of the animals' access.