How Do I Keep My Cat Out Of The Christmas Tree?

Getting ready for the holidays and about to put your Christmas tree up? Keep in mind that the tree makes a tempting target for many curious cats. Here are some tips on how to pet-proof your Christmas tree.

When it comes to buying a Christmas tree, I prefer and love real trees. After all, they fill our house with the holiday smells of evergreen. However, keep in mind that if you have cats, real trees are much more tempting. Not only are real trees fragrant and the pine needles more fun to chew on (thankfully, rarely poisonous) but the tree trunk is perfect for scratching and climbing. Consider an artificial tree (after all, less trees are cut down and thrown away, right?). If you do get a real tree, avoid one that is very tall, as a tall tree would be more likely to topple.

Tips on Sharing the Christmas Holiday with Your Cat

Many people think that it is a good idea to give pets as holiday gifts, but about half of those animals just get returned because the gift receiver didn't want the pet. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), says that you should never give a pet as a gift.  Instead, they ask that you check with the ASPCA Adoption Center. You can use the zip code search to look at available cats in your area.  They are offering a unique opportunity for pet lovers.

Know someone who wants to add a feline to the family? Now you can give the gift of companionship with their Gift-a-Pet Certificate. At this time, they are only offer Gift-a-Pet certificates for cat and kitten adoptions.

The ASPCA says, securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should they imbibe.

Keep these items away from your cat :
Glass ornaments, Christmas trees , Poinsettias, Christmas cheer, spun glass or angel hair, foil candy wrappers, batteries lit candles,`electric lights, tinsel, electrical cords, metal hangers, spray snow, artificial snow, angel hair, Christmas ribbon, Christmas tree ornaments and Christmas tree water that may contain fertilizers and bacteria, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach.

Tips:

1. Do not leave food crumbs on plates and make sure all food items are sealed in containers with lids.

2. Also place candles where cats cannot knock them over. Never leave a cat unattended in a room with lit candles. He will gravitate to them like moths to a porch light.

3. Keep stoves and countertops off-limits to cats. Electric stovetops can be very hot without changing color, and present a serious burn hazard to curious noses and tender feet.

4. You may be tempted to put your cats in the garage to keep them out of the way when your Christmas visitors arrive. This is not a good idea for several reasons. Anti-freeze is both attractive and deadly to cats. Anti-freeze and caustic chemicals stored in the garage spell certain disaster if a cat comes in contact with them. Although it may seem like an attractive idea to keep a normally indoor-outdoor cat in the garage over the winter, please keep them in the house. If you need to keep your indoor-only cats away from the festivities, consider a "Safe Room".

5. Keep trash cans either secured with a tight fitting lid, or under a cabinet. Caution your guest on arrival about giving turkey and other table foods to your cat.

6. Once the meal is over, place any uneaten leftovers in the garbage and remove the garbage bag from the room. It should immediately be placed in a garbage bin where it can't be accessed by your cat.

7. If you have guests coming into the home around the holidays this poses many dangers to pets.  A child who does not know how to properly interact with your cat may end up getting scratched

8. Sage (Salvia species) is considered to be edible in small amounts. However, it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and even central nervous system depression if eaten in large quantities.

9. Cats are sensitive to the effects of essential oils, so for safety’s sake, I suggest you break the bad news to kitty and keep him away from the sage you are cooking with this Christmas.

10. As guests enter and exit your home for Christmas dinner this provides an opportunity for your cat to escape.

11. If you think someone gave your cat too much table food, contact your vet immediately. The same is true if your cat got into the trash and ate something he shouldn't have.

12. Cats in particular love to climb on Christmas trees and grab the low hanging branches. Make sure the tree is secure in the stand and tie the tree to a permanent fixture, like a railing. A toppled tree can crush a kitten or puppy and the broken ornaments pose problems of their own.

13. Some cats are attracted to the motion or sound of water that comes out of a faucet. So be careful about leaving the water running when preparing your Christmas dinner.

14. Holidays are a confusing mix of noise, people, strange sights, sounds and smells. Make sure your cat or dog has his own space, either a crate or a separate room, to retreat to when it all becomes overwhelming. You and your pet will be happier for it.

Since most vet offices are closed on holidays including Christmas, you should have an emergency contact number on hand. Most likely, this will be the nearest Pet Emergency Center.


                                     Merry Christmas from The Pet Tree House!

Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving

Humane Rescue Alliance: Is Your Dog Out of Control When Guest Arrive? Enroll Them in Our Specialized, Four-Week Mini-Series on Manners

Washington, DC - Is your dog out of control when guest arrive for the holidays? Register your pup for HRA's specialized, four-week mini-series focused on teaching your dog appropriate manners for when guests come to town. Dogs will learn to go-to-place when people knock at the door, leave it with decorations, food, and presents, and how to relax on their mat during human meals instead of begging for food. They'll also learn how to offer more polite greetings to friends and family. 


To Learn about this mini-series, click here: Four-Week Mini-Series 

Please Share!

Heartwarming Story - Missing Shetland Sheepdog Found After 6 Years: Reunited with Family in Time for the Holidays

A beloved dog missing for six years has been found and reunited with his family in Las Vegas just in time for the holidays.

David Marks told ABC News today that he and his wife, Alison Marks, were "overjoyed" and "grateful" to be spending Christmas again with Willie, their Shetland sheepdog, now 11 years old.

The couple hadn't seen the Sheltie since he went missing in April of 2009 while they were all vacationing in the Pioche Hills, a mountain range in southeastern Nevada.

"While we were up in the mountains, Willie and his brother picked up on a rabbit or something and took off," David Marks explained. "Willie's brother Waylon came back, but he did not. We searched all weekend in a snowstorm in the mountains of Nevada, but we never saw any evidence that Willie was anywhere around."

David Marks said he and his wife put up fliers and asked around the area, but they "never heard back" from anyone -- until now.

"About two weeks ago, we got a call from an animal shelter in Elko, Nevada, and they said they picked up a stray, checked his microchip and found us," he said. "I couldn't believe it. It was an absolute surprise, and the perfect Christmas gift."

David Marks added that Willie "recognized us right away" and that he "immediately came right over, wagging his tail."

After a local TV station ran their story, the Marks heard from a family in Elko that apparently had been caring for him for the past six years before he recently ran off again.

"The individual caring for him said that Willie somehow got to Eureka, Nevada, which is over 300 miles from Las Vegas," David Marks said.

"The sheriff over there picked him after they found him in bad shape. He took care of Willie and nursed him back to health, so he gave him to a lady in Jackpot, Nevada, and then she moved to Elko, and he recently ran off."

David Marks joked that he's sure Willie told his Sheltie brother the whole story of his adventures the past six years and that he and his wife are curious to learn what happened.

The family said that since Willie has been home, everything feels "complete again."

"We've been introducing him again to everybody,” David Marks said, “but it's just like he never left.”

Christmas Can Be a Hazardous Time for Our Pets

Now that the festive holiday season is upon us and we are all rushing around with a million things to do, it is important not to forget that Christmas can be a hazardous time for our pets.

The top 5 reasons pets visit a Veterinarian on Christmas Day:

•  Gastritis / Enteritis
•  Foreign body ingestion
•  Soft tissue trauma
•  Lacerations or bite wounds
•  Chocolate poisoning

It is very tempting to give the dog the remains of the Christmas turkey, just remember bones can and do kill. When bones are cooked they become very brittle and when the dog chews them they splinter into needle sharp pieces. These pieces can become stuck in the stomach or intestines and can perforate the bowel, which is life threatening. Uncooked bones can have the same effect as cooked bones so it is best to avoid bones all together. If the bowel becomes perforated the insides of the abdomen become infected. A surgical procedure is the only way to remove bones from the intestinal tract. Christmas meals often produce a lot of fatty left over's and the family pet often ends up being given these. Excessively fatty foods can cause pancreatitis which is inflammation of the pancreas. It is very painful and requires intensive care for the animals' intestinal system to get back to normal.

Take care with floral arrangements and plants especially if you have a cat; all Lilies are toxic to cats and the pollen can easily get on their coats if they brush past an arrangement, they can then ingest the toxins when they groom themselves. Poinsettias are also a common addition to the home at Christmas; they are also toxic to your pet if ingested.

You may be tempted to fashion your pet with a decorative ribbon "collar" but beware that this could become a choking hazard. Also, it's best to quickly discard ribbons and bows wrapped around holiday gifts so that your curious companions won't be enticed to chew or swallow them. Ingested ribbon can cause a choking hazard and ultimately twist throughout the intestines, leading to emergency surgery and even death.

Twinkling, shiny and dangling holiday lights may be another source of danger to your curious pets. Got a pet that likes to chew? Electrical shock may occur when a pet chomps down on an electrical cord, causing tongue lacerations and possible death. Check your holiday lights for signs of fraying or chewing and use a grounded three-prong extension cord as a safety precaution. If you have candles on display, place them in a hard to reach spot so that your pets can not access them. Not only can pets seriously burn themselves, but knocking over candles creates a fire hazard and may leave a trail of hot wax that will easily burn the pads of paws and skin.

Many households hang chocolate treats on the tree or wrap presents containing chocolate and place them underneath the tree. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats it contains a substance called theobromine. Dark chocolate is the worst as it contains a greater concentration of theobromine. Dogs especially are attracted to the smell of chocolate treats. It is important not to leave any chocolate treats in reach of pets, remember to shut them out of the room where the tree is when you go to bed or go out.

Christmas trees are more dangerous to pets than fake plastic ones. Pine needles can puncture internal organs if eaten; they are also toxic to pets. Pine trees can also be a cause of skin irritation in pets with skin allergies. If you do have a real tree, make sure the drink stand for the tree has plenty of water to prevent the tree drying out & losing needles. It is important that your pet isn't able to get to this water & drink it as it could result in poisoning. Cats love to play with string and tinsel is even more attractive as it sparkles. Tinsel can get stuck in the digestive tract if ingested causing serious problems for your pet and often requiring an operation to remove it.

Some pets love the attention of visitors; others find strangers in their house stressful. Christmas is often a busy time with visitors coming & going. Be mindful of your pets feelings & give the option of somewhere quiet to escape to should the need arise; this is particularly important if your friends & relatives have young children.

Christmas is a time of year to celebrate and be with family, the last thing anyone would want is to be stuck in a Veterinary Clinic on Christmas day. Taking precautions with pets during these festive times can help ensure that you and your family will enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season! If you have any other questions please feel free to give the Veterinary Clinic a call, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Have a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year!

Adorable Animals Singing Jingle Bells! Send to Your Friends For A Holiday Greeting

Talking animal videos never fail to make me laugh. Watch and listen to an animal choir as they “sing” Jingle Bells. Adorable and funny. The perfect combo!

Copy the link below to send to family and friends!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRzhd3eUyO8

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!

The Pet Tree House

Reindeer Climbs Stairs to Greet Care Home Residents

Cupid the stair-climbing reindeer has visited a care home in Wiltshire - both upstairs and down - to greet its residents and spread Christmas cheer.

Accompanied by mate Comet, the pair were taken around the Brookside Care Home in Melksham.

To see the video, click here: Reindeer Climbs Stairs to Greet Care Home Residents

Washington, DC - Looking to Add a Furry Member to Your Family? Adoption Fee Only $20.16 at the Washington Humane Society – December 19 - 24

Have you been thinking about adding a furry member to your family?

Open your heart and home to a furry friend this holiday season! From December 19-24, it's just $20.16 to adopt!!

Find our adoptable animals at www.washhumane.org/adopt ‪#‎AdoptDC ‪#‎AdoptWHS

*Standard adoption procedures apply

From the Author:

I know first hand that the Washington Humane Society has some of the most adorable animals available for adoption.

I took advantage of one of their events back in September 2013. I adopted my adorable Jonas, a Shih Tzu/Yorkie mix, at 9-months-old for only $21. Best $21… I have ever spent!

Get a head start and take a look at some on the animals available now….Available Animals 

If you are not looking for a cat or dog, they also have other small animals available for adoption.

Please share with family, friends and co-workers!

Meet Lady, a Beautiful 8-Year-Old Senior Dog Looking for Her Forever Home: Can You Give Her a Home for the Holidays? – Washington Humane Society

Washington, DC - Meet Lady, a beautiful 8-year-old senior dog looking for her forever home for the Holidays.

Through no fault of her own, Lady has been in and out of our adoption centers since August. Can we get her a home for the holidays?

Your next question is going to be why? :

She is not a fan of other dogs, but that's not why she has been returned. She was returned because she looks like a pit bull and she was banned from her adopter's apartment complex. She is currently in foster care.

Does she get along with cats?:

Lady hasn't met a cat while she has been in our care, but we always suggest bringing your resident animal in for a meet-and-greet before adopting.

From Lady:

Hey there, I'm Lady. Just like my name suggests, I am an older gal who is over the puppy stage of life. I was brought to WHS when my family could no longer care for me and although I am really bummed about it, I am doing my best to stay strong and hold out for my new forever family. The people here tell me I am really smart and I am learning new tricks and commands every day! The one thing I really miss about having a home of my own is cuddling with my humans, I reaaaalllly love leaning into people - it just makes me feel so loved! In fact, I love people so much that I would prefer to be your one-and-only pet - more attention for meeee! So if you're looking for your new best friend and someone to cuddle up and watch TV with, come meet me at the New York Ave shelter.

Please share Lady to help her get a loving home for the Holidays.  If you can not adopt Lady, the Washington Humane Society has other dogs, cats and small animals available for adoption.

If you are interested in adopting Lady:

She is at our New York Avenue location at 1201 New York Avenue NE. To meet her, either drop by the adoption center or call 202-576-6664. Here is a link to her online profile: LADY

Take a look at her video and adorable pictures below:

Please Share!

You Can Help Animals at Christmas with Just a Facebook "Like" - Coolridge Animal Hospital Will Donate a 1-Pound Bag of Dog/Cat Food to an Animal Rescue for Each "Like" - Only 51 More Needed!

Help us reach 500 Facebook likes by end of 2014, we need 51. for every new like we receive from now till 12/31/2014, we are donating 1lb of dog/cat food for every like we receive to a Animal Allies Rescue Organization.

Help us reach our goal and we will help pets in need .... Share our page to help us reach this goal

Think about it…that's 51 pounds of dog food!

Ready to "like" and help pets in need? Click HERE! 

Please Share!
Thank you from The Pet Tree House

Do Not Feed These Foods To Your Pets At Thanksgiving

The upcoming holiday season can be a delicious time around your home. While these rich and tasty foods may seem like an extra special treat for your cats and dogs, it's important to be aware of the dangers of certain ingredients. These tips will keep both owners and pets happy and healthy this holiday season!

Make no bones about it: Although, Fido may say 'yes' to a turkey drumstick, keep bones away from your pet.  Turkey bones can cause serious injury to your pet if they splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet's digestive track.

Limit table food treats: Too many fatty, rich or unfamiliar foods for your pet can cause painful and serious medical conditions.

Sage advice: No stuffing for pets. Sage and other herbs often used to make turkey stuffing contain essential oils and resins that can cause stomach upset and central nervous system depression in pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of these oils.

Please Share!

Thanksgiving Pet Safety

The fragrant smell of Thanksgiving dinner permeating throughout your home is likely to whip your four-legged friend into a food frenzy. Unfortunately, the holiday meal could be lethal for your pet but by following a few simple precautions, you will ensure the upcoming holiday weekend will be happy and healthy for the entire family.

When planning for Thanksgiving, consider the following:

• Don’t give your animal different food than they would normal get. Feeding turkey to your dog or cat can cause him or her unwanted abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea, none of which are welcome during this festive weekend.

• Discourage your family members and guests from indulging your pet with inappropriate snacks. Food high in sodium (especially peanuts and chips) and other fatty foods like poultry skin, beef or port fat can cause an inflammation of pancreas. Pancreatitis is potentially life-threatening condition.

• Dispose of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper from holiday foods. If you pet can get to it, he or she will lick the food off foils or wraps. The swallowing of such coverings can cause an intestinal obstruction.

• Secure your garbage. It only takes a minute for your little scavenger to get into the garbage and wolf down whatever smells good-including the string used to tie the turkey.

• Keep chocolate away from you dog. Chocolate, which contains theobromine and caffeine, can be harmful to your pooch. Rapid breathing and hyperactivity are signs of bad reaction to chocolate.

• Turkey bones are also dangerous for you pet. Any brittle, spiky bone could lodge in the esophagus or cause an irritation of his or her stomach or intestines.

• Maintain his regular schedule for feeding and exercise. Minimizing the stress of animal means being aware of his daily routine and expectations. Pay as much attention to your pet as usual so that he will not feel neglected or insecure.

• Keep your pet home and away from parade celebrations. With the large crowds, your pet can become stressed or even worse, can get lost in the crowd.

• Make sure your furry friend has fresh water at all times. Frequently check your pet’s water bowl to make sure the supply is clean. Busy children and relatives may bump a bowl and spill the water.

• Provide a quiet refuge for your animal. With all the holidays fanfare, you pet will need a “time out” from visiting friends and family. A comfortable crate is one solution; a room with a “Do Not Disturb” sign is another. Give your dog or cat time and space to settle down or take a nap.

• Keep current registration and identification tags on you pet. With guests coming in and out of your home, it is very easy for a door to be left ajar and for your animal to wander off.

By being aware of these dangers to your pet, you can ensure both you and your pet the best possible holidays.


Please Share!

Tiny Thanksgiving for a Tiny Hamster and His Tiny Friends

It's the time of the year to give thanks, and out today is something we're extremely grateful for: another tiny hamster eating tiny foods video. This one is themed for Thanksgiving and features all your Turkey Day favorites.

The food, eaten by one extremely fuzzy bunny, two hamsters and one rat, was all safe for animals to consume, according to the creators of the video.

To see the video, click here: Tiny Thanksgiving for a Tiny Hamster and His Tiny Friends

7 Reasons Why Pets Make Terrible Holiday Gifts

As we approach the holiday season, many of us will begin to brainstorm gift ideas for our friends and loved ones. Some of us are drawn to unique home goods; others are inclined to purchase electronics, books, or clothes for the special people in our lives. Still others consider a much more controversial gift: that of an animal, such as a puppy, kitten, hamster, baby chick or rabbit. Of course, when animals are given as gifts, they are usually purchased with the best of intentions. Who doesn’t want to see their child rejoice at the sight of a cute and cuddly puppy or kitten?

To read more on this story, click here: 7 Reasons Why Pets Make Terrible Holiday Gifts