We wish everyone a happy holiday season and hope your celebrations are filled with glad tidings, cheer and no upset stomachs for your pets. While gathering with friends and family, make sure your entire family, pets included, can enjoy the holidays safely.
Foods Snowball Shouldn’t Eat
If your pets like to join the party, don’t forget to remind guests about common seasonal favorites that can be harmful to your pets. Avoid chocolate, garlic, onions, under-cooked or raw meat, grapes and salty snacks. The best way to avoid giving any pet an upset stomach or potentially more severe illnesses is to have animal-specific treats at the ready for guests to share with your pet so they aren’t tempted to pass along people food instead. Find a full list of common people foods that are harmful to pets HERE.
Plants
‘Tis the season to bring winter decor indoors, but make sure you aren’t bringing potentially harmful plants where Snowball might be tempted to sample. Poinsettias, Holly and Mistletoe are common holiday plants that are poisonous to pets. The best way to be sure Snowball stays safe is to check out the ASCPA’s database of plants, which you can find HERE. If you’re not sure what a plant is, it is best to keep it out of reach of your pets.
Frightening Noises
From holiday music to new people and noises, a bustling holiday home might not feel as cheerful to your pets as it does to you! Make sure Snowball has safe, quiet places (like a bathroom or under a bed) to retreat to so they can feel safe and secure during busy times. And during this holiday season, make sure your pet is wearing his or her identification at all times in case they do get outside unsupervised while visitors come and go.
If Your Pet is Missing
If your pet becomes lost, or if you find a lost pet, visit our Missing Pet and Found Animals pages for more information. Make sure to keep your pet’s microchip registered and contact information up to date in case they become lost, and have their microchip checked at their annual vet checkups to make sure it is still in place. The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day, so if you have an animal emergency, please call the Animal Services hotline at 703-746-4444.