The Pet Sit Blog

Survey of independent pet-sitting business owners reveals biggest holiday pet safety hazards

November 16, 2009

Posted in: Uncategorized

A recent survey of Pet Sitters International’s nearly 8,000 member businesses found that the biggest pet safety hazard consistently witnessed by pet sitters during the holidays is a pet’s access to dangerous materials in the home that can be easily ingested.

Other hazards noted were electrical appliances left on in the home, a pet’s access to dangerous plants, holiday food and decorations and issues related to weather.

Most professional pet sitters can quickly identify hazardous and potentially harmful material in the home and are proactive in communicating these hazards to clients. Some of the most frequently recommended cautions are:

• Holiday treats, such as rich, fatty scraps, bones from pork and poultry, alcoholic beverages, chocolate and other sweets and candies can be harmful or toxic to pets.
• Pine tree water can be poisonous, so be sure to cover open tree stand bases. The tree should be secure to the wall with strong wire or twine because a toppling tree can cause serious injuries to dogs and cats.
• Keep these poisonous holiday plants away from pets: the berries of the mistletoe, holly, hibiscus, Christmas roses and the poinsettia.
• Many holiday decorations are hazardous to pets. If decorations are not pet-friendly, keep them, as well as lights, out of a pet’s reach. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that house fires increase considerably during holidays.
• Remember, the most common pet-related emergency that occurs over the holidays is the consumption of human pharmaceuticals. Make sure all prescription and non-prescription drugs are safely stored.

Marsha Wheaton, owner of Dog Mom at Your Service in Traverse City, MI, encourages pet owners to plan ahead and take the necessary steps to keep a pet’s routine.

“Keep life as normal as possible,” Wheaton said. “Make sure pets get regular walks, cut out all the extra treats and don’t let your pets get pushed aside with all the hustle and bustle and added activities.”

For more information on holiday safety or to locate a professional pet sitter in your area, please visit www.petsit.com.