Christmas! The time of lights and presents. Indulgence and hopes for the future. Whether it’s because of the presents, the exciting “toys” coming down from the attic or just the energy in the air ferrets all seem to love Christmas. But the festive season can be dangerous for your pets so here’s our tips for Christmas and new year to keep your family safe.
Lets start with the centre piece. The tree! They love trees! It’s a big sparkly climbing frame with smaller toys on it, what’s not to love? Unless you’re using a tree that’s off the ground (and even then sometimes they find a way) this is going to be a massive hazard you can’t put out of the way so it is best to think it through beforehand. It can also be a bit of a practice run for any smaller décor that you have around the house.
With trees if you choose a real tree be aware that they can be poisonous to many pets, in particular the water. Toxins from the tree seep into the water turning it into a poisonous cocktail so do take efforts to avoid them getting into it. If you choose an artificial tree be aware that how you decorate it can make it dangerous too. Lights can lead to tangled pets, felled trees, and electrocution. Please take care to keep your pets away from the wires, and if possible, look for a pre-lit tree as they do not have a long line to get tangled in.
We also try to avoid low hanging ornaments, especially breakable ones. I had a video of Eg death rolling a toy soldier on the lowest branch and then going off to stash it once! Angels hair is a big No-No, can get wrapped around legs and cut off circulation or do the same in the gut. Try and avoid tinsel hanging in general because they will pull it down and take the tree with it. You might want to consider putting something around the tree to stop them getting to it but given Auroras technique of kamikaze jump into the tree from anything nearby I can safely say that's not full proof. You do get special brackets to hold the tree up for cats, if that is an option for you consider it but you'll still need to keep an eye. I remember one of ours, though I'm not sure who, once took every opportunity to climb the inside then walk along to the outer branches and shake them! Actually shake them to make the baubles fall and dook at them bouncing.
If you use any other kind of decorations always ask yourself, can they reach it? If they can is it edible, breakable or tangly and if so make sure you either move it where they cannot get or otherwise alter it so they can’t hurt themselves or cause someone else to get hurt. Even things like fake snow, check the label when buying because some are not pet and kid safe.
Beware Christmas presents. They love to unwrap them so anything swishy will be opened, fragile presents can be knocked over and broken, and like with cats and dog’s chocolate, raisins and many other treats that are given at Christmas are poisonous. What we do, and what we would recommend, is ask gift givers if something is edible/fragile so we can put it away in the cupboard safe until opening.
There is also Christmas flowers. Poinsettias and ivy are poisonous, as are most evergreens, Christmas cactus’s are also dangerous, anything bulbed is generally a danger, and of course they love to dig the roots which not only makes a mess but risks a smashed pot too. All in all, best to keep them somewhere they cannot reach at all. Bouquets can be even more dangerous. I Love lilies but even one grain of pollen falling on their fur is potentially deadly for cats and ferrets because it is that poisonous and they can ingest it when grooming themselves. If you get any lilies keep them far away from pets and as soon as you can remove the stamen tips, the bits that turn orange on the inside of the flower. If you do it soon enough you can remove them before they begin to drop pollen.
If you have guests over beware the open door. It might be best to put your fuzzies away, so they don’t go missing or get underfoot and hurt. Or get “spoiled” by an overly merry visitor. Remember a lot of the treats we get can be poisonous to them, that includes alcohol and there is always the odd one who likes to taste what you are having. Nibbles like nuts can make them ill too. Either risking blockages since their teeth are not designed to chew them, being indigestible to ferrets or by having seasoning that can make them extremely ill. A lot of people still believe they can give pets the bones from cooked meats too so if you have these around please make it clear that they are dangerous for your pets and not to give them to them.
As we get past Christmas and into the new year, we also need to consider fireworks too so as with bonfire night you might need to take steps to keep your fuzzies calm and stress free in the festivities. More info in the blog here; https://lotascot.wixsite.com/whimsicalkismet/post/ferrets-and-fireworks-keeping-things-safe-and-relaxed
With so many hazards around over the Christmas season and the vets mostly being closed make sure that you have a note somewhere of your vets opening and closing hours AND the emergency vets for your area. A taxi that is working holiday hours may also be wise if you don’t have a designated driver in the house anyway. I would also like to reassure people that most vets, especially emergency vets, have payment options available. So, if you have an emergency and you cannot afford to pay it all out right then you can still get treatment and pay it up over a few months. There is no need to withhold emergency care because of that.
I hope this helps everyone keep safe and well into the new year. All the best from our family to yours. Merry Christmas, Happy holidays and blessings for the new year xx
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