December is a busy month, but have you ever stopped to pet-proof your house around the holidays? 

Every year, accidents happen involving pets. In all the hustle and bustle, cats and dogs get overlooked. Before you can say, “Ho, ho, ho!” they are either playing with the tree, chewing on something they shouldn’t be, or getting into trouble in the kitchen. 

Keep your pet safe and sound this holiday season with the following tips. 

Secure the tree

To a cat, a scented green tree is basically like one gigantic scratching post! Those pine needles are soooo tempting! To avoid a dangerous situation where a tree falls over and lands on your precious kitty, make sure it’s secured down. A good stand should be heavy and keep the tree upright. 

Don’t wrap using ribbons

Ribbon and tinsel can be deadly. When a cat swallows a long piece of ribbon, it can get lodged in their intestines and quickly become a life-threatening situation that lands you both at the emergency vet’s office. Never, ever leave wrapping ribbon lying around the house. 

Put away chocolate 

Chances are, you know that chocolate is bad for dogs. During the holiday season people are baking cookies, candies, and cakes. This presents the perfect opportunity for your dog to steal off the counter! Again, keep it all out of reach. Better yet, put chocolate in the fridge or cupboards.    

Shut the Door

With guests and family members visiting, it only takes a second for a pet to slip through legs and out the front door. In fact, you might not even notice they’re gone until hours later. Be very careful when opening and closing the door to avoid an accidental escape. 

By following these guidelines, your pets will have the best (and safest) holiday ever.