Christmas Cats and Dogs!

         As you are going about you holiday celebrations, please remember to think of your pets. Sometimes as we are involved in the hustle and bustle we forget about our furry friends. If you don't have a pet you may want to check this out just in case the family you are visiting has a pet. In honor of our little dog Buddy . Here are some tips worth barking about.

Tips for Cats and Dogs

1. Aluminum foil when ingested can cut a dogs intestines and cause internal bleeding and even death.

2.Anti freeze even in small quanities can be lethal. So keep those products out of reach of puppy.

3.Bones from steak, veal, pork, turkey or chicken, as well as ribs, can be hazardous to your dog and are not recommended.

4.Keep chocolate out of reach of dogs. It contains an element that is toxic to dogs.

5.Many dogs have suffered and, in some cases, died after eating corn-on-the-cob, when the corn cob caused partial or complete intestinal obstruction. Never allow your dog access to corn cobs.

6. Keep electrical cords of christmas lights bound up and out of dogs reach. If they chew on them not only could you have a fire but you dog could be harmed as well

7.When a dog's internal temperature drops below 96 degrees F (by being exposed to cold weather for long periods, or getting both wet and cold), there is a serious risk to the dog's safety. Small and short-haired dogs should wear sweaters when taken for walks during cold winter weather. Any sign that a dog is very cold -- such as shivering -- should signal the owner to bring the dog indoors immediately.

8.Ice-melting chemicals and salt placed across sidewalks and roads can cause severe burning to your dog's footpads. Whenever possible, avoid walking your dog through these substances, and wash off his footpads when you return home

9.When ingested by a dog (or cat), tinsel may cause obstruction of the intestines, and the tinsel's sharp edges can even cut the intestines. Symptoms may include: decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, listlessless and weight loss. Treatment usually requires surgery.

10. Plants and flowers research any plants or flowers you may get and keep them away from pets if toxic.Christmas foliage can be toxic! Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, ivy and Christmas roses, as well as the Christmas tree itself are all harmful to pets. Holly and mistletoe can be fatal. Poinsettias and ivy bring on bad digestive upset and pine needles when swallowed can pierce internal organs

11. Make sure your tree is stable as possible. More than likely at some point the cat is going to climb it.

12.If you have a live tree, never let your cat drink from the water in the tree stand. Most people use aspirin or special chemicals to help preserve the tree and these can be deadly for cats! Even if you use pet safe preservatives, the tree itself releases toxic sap into the water, so you'd need to cover the water altogether and make it inaccessible to pets. You can also spray around the center of the tree skirt with lemon scented air freshener to deter your cat from wandering too close.

13.Lastly make sure to spend extra time with you pet. All the guests and family in and out can cause them to feel stress. Try to spend 15-20min. per day grooming and playing with fido or fee fee.

Please remember to check your local shelters if there are any supplies they may need. If your church group or homeschool group need a mission to work on this can be a very worthy cause and children love it too. You may even get you local SPCA to come out and speak to the group.

Just for fun here is a little doggie treat for you to make for your cute pooch.

Milk Bone Dog Biscuits

• 3/4 cup hot water
• 1/3 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup powdered milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• Variation: increase margarine to 1/2 cup and add 2 teaspoons sugar

In large bowl pour hot water over the margarine. Stir in powdered milk, salt, and egg. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time. Knead for a few minutes to form stiff dough. Pat or roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into bone shapes. Bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes. Cool. They will dry out quite hard. Makes about 1 1/4 pounds of biscuits. Costs around 30 cents per pound.

Nikki is homeschooling mom to 4 children and 2 step children. Ages 10 months to 19 years old . Previously a preschool teacher,  Proud mom of an Army child,  a stage mom, nursery supervisor, youth group leader, and Co-op steering member. She blogs at

7Valleyhomeschool

Related Tags: Dogs, cats, safety, christmas, pets 

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