Ahhh Christmas. The season of good will, carols, and joy for all the world and&ldots;&ldots;&ldots; hazards for your pet.
Keeping your pet safe during the holidays takes a bit of forethought and common sense. The most common hazards for pets during the holidays are food, candy, poisoning and oh the beloved Christmas tree. Even the change in routine can make a pet nervous.

Here are some tips to keep your pet safe:

Remember that food is the number one holiday hazard for dogs. The greasy and fatty foods that we eat can cause severe problems on an animal's intestines. Poultry skin, fat trimmings, rich gravies, and buttery sauces can cause sever vomiting, diarrhea, or even worse, a life threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Tell guests not to give your dog food from the dinner table. For more information on eating turkey,

Keep alcohol away from your animals. An ounce of an alcoholic beverage can put a small dog into a coma.

Popcorn and gumdrops can cause stomach upsets, so avoid using these strings of edible decorations.

Candy

Store chocolate candy or baking ingredients out of reach.

Chocolate is the most common toxicity treat during the holidays. Small amounts cause vomiting and diarrhea. Larger amounts can cause above normal heart rhythms, nervous system malfunctions, and even death.

Chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid similar to caffeine, that can cause nerve damage and even death in dogs. Different types of chocolate can have varying amounts of theobromine, so if your dog eats a Hershey bar or chocolate cake, he may not be affected, but a dish of dark chocolate candies may kill him.

Make sure that cords are tucked out of reach. Better yet, keep all electric cords covered by a chew-proof guard. Puppies and kittens will chew on anything and electrocution can occur. Electric shock from a light cord will not always kill a pet, but they may burn the mouth and tongue.

Display candles on a high shelf to avoid painful burns and singed whiskers.

Include your pets in any fire/disaster safety program you have in place for your home.

Make sure the tree is securely anchored so it cannot be knocked over by children or pets.

Fasten all your tree decorations securely, with the more fragile ones towards the top. You dog will not be able to differentiate a glass ball from his play ball. Dogs who chew these can suffer cuts in their mouth.

Place mystery packages out of reach. Dogs who smell food in a package are known to rip it open.

Return paper and other gift wrapping materials to their storage places after gift-wrapping is finished.

Place holiday plants out of reach and vacuum often. Poinsettia can cause drooling, oral pain, and vomiting. Mistletoe causes vomiting, labored breathing, shock, and death from cardiovascular collapse. When animals eat the needles from real or fake trees, they can also get intestinal blockage.

When doing crafts for yourself or with the kids, make sure all paints and other toxic or dangerous materials are out of reach and swept/mopped up immediately after your are done.

Buy only decorating products (tree water preservatives and artificial snow) that are labeled non-toxic.

Bring in your pets when the temperature reaches 30 degrees with the wind chill. Dogs and cats can get frost bitten ears, nose and feet if left outside.

 Chemicals used to melt snow on sidewalks can irritate pets' paws. Do not use this product where your animals dwells outside.

 Halite, the chemical salt that melts ice on sidewalks, is also poisonous. If Rover walks on treated sidewalks, wipe his feet with a damp cloth when returning home

Anti-freeze is a definite hazard. Highly toxic, it has a sweet taste that appeals to dogs and cats and can be deadly in doses as small as a teaspoon for a large dog. Spilled anti-freeze should be flushed from driveways to avoid even tiny puddles that pets could lick.

Anticipate your guest's arrivals and confine your dog to prevent it from escaping and possibly getting into trouble. You should also set aside a room for your dog to go during parties, because too much excitement or stress can cause stomach upset. Once the dog is calm, you can release it and introduce it to your guests.

Crate training your dog allows it a safe haven to hide when things get too active.

Reduce your dog's stress by maintaining its regular feeding and exercise routine.