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With smart planning, the holidays can be a joyous time for people and their pets.

KING, N.C. (November 28, 2017) — The holiday season is a time of celebration, but with the flurry of activity, pet owners should be sure they don’t overlook the safety of their pets.

This holiday season, Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational organization for professional pet sitters, advises pet owners to consider their pets and take precautions when decorating and sharing holiday treats.

“With the excitement of the holiday season, it can be easy to forget that not all traditions are a good fit for pets,” warned PSI President Patti J. Moran.

Much like toddlers, pets are attracted to bright lights, shining ornaments and dangling tinsel, and pet owners should be aware that many holiday decorations can be hazardous to their pets.

To ensure a happy and safe holiday season for pets, PSI recommends pet owners keep these decoration safety tips in mind:

• Christmas trees add beauty to the home, but pine tree water can be poisonous, so it is best to use an enclosed tree stand. If that is not possible, be sure to cover open tree stand bases. Make sure that the tree is secured to the wall with strong wire or twine, because a toppling tree can cause serious injuries to dogs and cats.
• Ornaments and hooks, twinkling lights and electrical wiring pose significant danger to pets by ingestion or contact. When no one will be around to supervise, unplug lights and any electrical decorations a pet has access to. Cover or tack down electrical cords.
• To avoid pets being burned or causing a fire hazard, ensure that pets are confined away from any room containing a lit Hanukkah menorah or holiday candle.
• Keep holiday game pieces, such as the dreidel, out of paw’s reach from pets to avoid accidental ingestion.
• Holiday plants that are poisonous to pets include the berries of the mistletoe, holly, hibiscus, Christmas roses and the poinsettia. Keep these plants out of pets’ reach.

Food is another culprit for some of the most common holiday pet emergencies.

PSI recommends that pet owners be cautious of the following:

• Dark and baker’s chocolate. While milk chocolate is not poisonous, it will cause a pet to have an upset stomach. On the other hand, dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate contain high levels of theobromine and caffeine. Animals are extremely sensitive to both, and ingesting either type of chocolate could be fatal.
• Chocolate gold coins. These treats—sometimes used in Hanukkah and Christmas traditions—should be kept in a location that cannot be accessed by pets. Not only do the chocolate coins contain theobromine and caffeine, but the shiny foil wrappers can also cause intestinal issues if digested.
• Xylitol. This sugar substitute causes a dog’s blood sugar to drop quickly. This poisoning can be treated, but causes liver failure if not treated properly.
• Macadamia nuts. Dogs experience severe weakness in their back legs, appearing paralyzed, after ingesting macadamia nuts. Dogs usually recover from this condition within three days.
• Bread dough. When bread dough is ingested it continues to rise, causing an intestinal blockage.
• Latkes and sufganiyot. For pets, ingestion of these Hanukkah treats could result in a variety of gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting and diarrhea. Also, some ingredients can have even more dangerous consequences. The onions in latkes, for example, can cause Heinz body anemia in both cats and dogs.

If a pet ingests any potentially harmful product, pet owners should call a veterinarian or a local emergency animal hospital immediately.

PSI offers one final tip this holiday season: If holiday errands or trips will keep pet owners away from home, professional pet sitters offer the best pet-care solution—but pet owners should book without delay. Many pet sitters get booked up weeks before major holidays.

To learn more about PSI, visit www.petsit.com. To find a professional pet sitter in your area, search PSI’s Pet Sitter Locator at www.petsit.com/locate.

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