Pet Chatter

(Pet Chatter is an Endeavor News column by Lori Hansen, a lifelong pet companion and animal lover and activist. Suggestions for future columns can be sent to design@zitomedia.net.)

Holidays are for sharing with family and friends and, of course, your pets. But there are a few things that can make the holidays a stressful and even dangerous time for your furry friends.

Many of the things we humans love about the holidays - the food, candy, decorations, guests, etc. - can be harmful to pets. There are a few things to beware of when it comes to decorating with pets in the house.

Extension cords can be dangerous, especially to a pet prone to chewing on things - cats, dogs, free-roaming ferrets or other small furry pets are likely to play with extension cords and they, of course, do not know the dangers hidden inside those "toys."

When possible, tie cords out of the way. If there's no way to get the cords out of the way, get some plastic tubing at your hardware store and run the wires through it.

Tinsel (icicles) might make a beautiful decoration, but it can be deadly to your pets. Pets find it an irresistible toy and will eat it. a choking hazard that can cause intestinal blockage. If you have pets, consider using other decorations instead of tinsel.

Guests in your home can be stressful to pets. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, sometimes we don''t think about what our pets are feeling or where they are. Be careful that pets don't escape while guests are coming and going. If your pets are uncomfortable with guests, find a secure, quiet place for them. Also, remember that small pets (particularly kittens, small dogs and ferrets) can get underfoot and get hurt.

Finally, while you might enjoy the variety of holiday foods and treats, they aren't good for your pet. Make sure to limit your pets' "human food" and avoid chocolate. Chocolate can make pets very sick and in a large enough quantity can be lethal. Beware of hard candies. Some dogs are attracted to the sweet taste of hard candy but it presents a choking hazard.

By all means, include your pets in your holiday celebrations - after all, they're part of the family, too!

Happy holidays to all, including those with fur, feathers, fins and scales.