Infographic Offers Pet Parents Tips for a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season

Listen to this article

As the holidays approach and pet owners everywhere start preparing their homes for the season, it is important that people be aware of the potential safety risks that certain traditional decorations, plants and treats can pose to household pets. To help remind us what can be harmful to our pets, Henry Schein, Inc. made an easy-to-read infographic.

According to the infographic, which sources information from the American Veterinary Medical Association and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, pet parents can provide a safe holiday environment for their animals by:

• Avoiding certain holiday decorations that can be harmful to pets if ingested, such as ribbons and tinsel, and candles, which can pose a risk of fire if knocked over.
• Keeping toxic foods like chocolate—which can be lethal to dogs—and macadamia nuts—which can cause seizures in animals—away from pets; and
• Being aware of the negative health impacts of traditional holiday plants, such as pine trees, poinsettias, and mistletoe. They can cause a range of issues when consumed by pets, including vomiting, diarrhea, pain, and in some cases, death.

“Every member of the family deserves to safely experience the joy and traditions of the holiday season, and that includes our pets,” said Fran Dirksmeier, president of Henry Schein Animal Health, North America. “Henry Schein is committed to enhancing veterinarians’ and pet parents’ awareness and knowledge of animal health issues, and we encourage them to share the information contained in this infographic so that every household pet enjoys the season safely.”