Holiday Tips for Pets

A house full of relatives has your pets in a tizzy. Bootsie scampers from the grade-schoolers in the basement to the parlor filled with great-aunts, while Fluffy meows plaintively from behind the couch.

For your pets' peace of mind--and yours--follow these tips to make the holiday happy and safe.

1. Spend time with your pet. Before company arrives, play ball with your dog or take it for a walk; wiggle a toy and cuddle with Fluffy. This settles your pet down for when you're busy.

2. Remind your pet of its manners. Keep Bootsie under control on a lead by your side. Have him lie down and stay by your chair in the living room and at mealtime. Confine your animal only as a last resort. It's unfair to isolate the dog when you have company, because the dog is part of the family.

3. Tell relatives the rules. Sometimes it's not Bootsie you must keep an eye on, but Uncle Charlie, who slips your puppy turkey scraps, or the twins, who grab at your timid Siamese. Inform guests of your rules, and of your pet's likes and dislikes. Remind relatives that a growling dog and a hissing cat should be left alone.

4. Consider a kennel. If Boxer earns his keep by guarding your home, and a roomful of strangers makes him jumpy, consider kenneling him. That may work better for an aggressive animal. In the basement, the dog may get stressed out. It may chew furniture, bark, or develop diarrhea. The dog may resent people because it gets isolated when people come over."

5. Consult your veterinarian if you have a high-strung animal. Some experts suggest that somes pets might benefit from certain medications including antianxiety drugs or tranquilizers.

6. Keep pets away from the tree. Animals can get hurt chewing on wires and lights. Use common sense and perseverance to train your animals.

7. When Fluffy heads for the trunk to use as a scratching post, squirt her with a water pistol, suggests Maida. Shake a plastic gallon bottle with pennies in it to scare away Bootsie. If you have an electric train set, some experts recommend running it around the tree to warn off your animals.

8. Don't place the tree in your pet's favorite spot. To keep curious critters from toppling the tree, tie it to a ceiling hook. And don't tempt pets with food on or under the branches.

9. The easiest way to keep your pet from the tree is to restrict its access. Close the door to the room, allowing pets in only when they are supervised. Be aware that stockings and tinsel often look like new toys to pets.

10. Eliminate these holiday hazards:

11. Chocolate may cause heart irregularities and even death.

12. Mistletoe is highly toxic, especially the berries.

13. Poinsettias are NOT poisonous, but may cause diarrhea and cramps.

14. Pinecones and ornaments can create serious gastrointestinal blockages.

A PUPPY OR KITTEN UNDER THE TREE?

A puppy or a kitten frolicking through the wrapping paper makes a tempting holiday picture, but resist the urge to give a pet as a gift.

This is the worst time of year to buy a dog or cat. During the holidays, the pet becomes just one of many gifts. If you live in a chilly climate, your child's Christmas-morning glee will fade when your youngster must walk the puppy through February's snows and March's winds. Pet training becomes especially burdensome in the coldest months of the year.

"There are a lot of temperament and behavior problems in dogs bought at Christmas," Maida says. A surprise pet is an especially bad idea. "Selecting a dog for someone is like picking somebody's friend." The recipient needs to choose a pet. Instead of a kitten or puppy, give a note saying you will help the person select the pet in the spring.