CHRISTMAS IN THE COMPANY OF OUR FURRY FRIENDS

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year to spend with our best friends. Enjoying the love they give us unconditionally and spending an incredible holiday with them is the best Christmas gift. However, we have to be especially careful with them during this Holiday. This festivity can hide some risks for our animals and we have to pay special attention to certain details in order to be able to enjoy these holidays in their company to the fullest.

CAUTION WITH CERTAIN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Among Christmas decorations that we can consider dangerous, the Christmas tree itself is the most risky element. If it is a natural tree we have to be specially careful, since its branches can be quite sharp and cause injuries to the animal. In addition, if the tree is treated with fertilizers or some kind of insecticide, it can be toxic and harmful to the animals; so we must pay more attention than usual. On another note; tree decorations, Christmas lights and garlands can also be dangerous for your innocent furry friend.

POINSETTIAS ARE NOT HARMLESS

The poinsettia is the plant widely used during Christmas time for floral decorations, there is not a home in which we do not find a poinsettia during this holiday. This flower is well known for its red leaves arranged in the shape of a star and its intense red color. Although it seems like a harmless plant, the truth is that it is quite toxic for animals. The ingestion of its leaves causes excessive salivation, vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats. So, now you know; needless to say that if we decide to have some poinsettias at home, they should be placed in an unreachable spot for our animals.

DO NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE CHRISTMAS GIFTS IN THE COMPANY OF OUR FURRY FRIENDS 

It is important to be careful with the gifts we open as well as to watch out for where we put them. We may have a last minute scare with our animals if they see you excited with a new object because they’ll want to investigate it, specially certain puppies. This can be dangerous if the gift contians small pieces or something that your furry one can swallow. It’s important to put it aside even if we are at the peak moment of opening Christmas presents.

In addition, watch out in particular for any damp-proof sacks; they are especially toxic if swallowed. As well as special caution for jewelry and children’s toys in general, as they may contain small pieces that our dog or cat can ingest without realizing it.

DO NOT BUY ANIMALS AT CHRISTMAS, ALWAYS OPT FOR ADOPTION

Preventing the purchase of animals without control is also a way to respect the furry ones during this Christmas Holiday. Many times buying an animal during Christmas time is not a rational purchase; it’s a time where consumption takes over and it makes us acquire goods that we do not actually want or that we haven’t given too much thought to. In Bravery we are fervent advocates of adoption, if you decide to buy an animal you should be fully aware of the responsabilities and consequences. If you’d like to read more about adopting, we recommend you read this article in which we talk about this topic.

TO SUM UP…

To protect our animals from some of the most common risks of the Christmas season we simply have to pay close attention and take basic measures. With their safety taken care of, we will be able to spend a peaceful and happy holiday with our furry friends. Always remember that they deserve our unconditional love 365 days a year, but it never hurts to emphasize even more the love we feel for them on these special dates.

With everything said and with the safety of your furry ones assured, we wish you a prosperous and very happy new year.