Dear owner,

Hey, it’s me—your pet. We need to talk about your upcoming holiday plans. For starters, I was really hoping you had forgotten what happened last year, but I see you’ve relocated the tiny ski village and the nativity set to the dining room table, so I guess the memory is still fresh. But this year will be different, because I’m making some promises about my behavior so I can make the nice list. I’m going to try to be the best pet ever, but I need your help. 

See, the holidays are loaded with temptations for an opportunistic animal like me, and no matter how many times we repeat that training class, many things will always be irresistible. 

The Oliver Animal Hospital team suggested I tell you about my goals, so you can help make them possible. I sure love that place—they are the best vet in South Austin, paws down! 

Here’s my list. I’d check it twice, but I can’t read:

#1: As your pet, I promise to decline any holiday food or treats

Dream with me, owner. I am going to willfully resist anything that’s handed to me in the name of Christmas charity. This encompasses dangerous but oh-so-tempting goodies, such as:

  • Meat bones — These may splinter and cause me to choke, or lacerate my mouth or insides. If I swallow a bone, a blockage could form in my intestine, meaning I’ll spend my holiday on a surgery table rather than beside you at the kitchen table.
  • Turkey fat and trimmings — This prized meat and other rich foods can overwhelm my pancreas and trigger painful and potentially deadly pancreatitis. Remove these from my reach immediately, to prevent an accident.
  • Sugar-free and keto-friendly desserts — The sugar substitute xylitol causes a dangerous drop in blood sugar for dogs, and potential liver failure.
  • Chocolate — The air smells like cocoa, but I will plug my cute little nose. Chocolate—especially dark and bitter blends—can set my heart to racing, and cause muscle tremors and seizures.

I also swear to stay off the counters and out of the trash, where I may find other pet-toxic ingredients, such as garlic, onions, leeks, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, alcohol, raw meat, bread dough, and food wrappers. But, in case I have a weak moment, please put the trash cans out of my reach.

#2: As your pet, I promise not to drink from, climb, consume, or pee on the tree

I’ve told my friends how once a year you get a little eccentric and bring the outdoors inside—apparently their people do it, too! That tree smells divine, and literally sparkles when you hang all those doo-dads from its branches—not to mention the magical water dish underneath that serves up a new flavor every day. 

But this year, I’m all business. That tree is strictly off limits, which is a good thing—Christmas tree pet hazards include:

  • Falling trees and crush-related injuries
  • Electrocution
  • Lacerations from broken ornaments
  • Intestinal obstruction from ornaments and tinsel ingestion
  • Poisoning from bacteria and fertilizer-laden water

This year, consider putting the tree in a room I can’t access. Or, wrap an exercise pen around, so I can’t touch or taste those soft, inviting branches. Cover the tree base, and change the water daily to prevent excessive bacteria and microbes. And, please don’t leave me alone with the tree—all that sparkle and twinkle could hypnotize me into someone I don’t recognize!

#3: As your pet, I promise to look, but not touch, the holiday decorations

If decorations were meant to be left alone, why do they look so much like toys? In years past, I may have preferred small figurines—some of which took a rather adventurous tour of my small intestine and colon. But this Christmas, I will stick with my actual toys and avoid pawing or playing with tempting and dangerous decor, including:

#4: As your pet, I promise not to run when Aunt Betty forgets to close the front door

You gotta love my Aunt Betty—she definitely knows how to make an entrance, but unfortunately, she never knows when to leave. That’s why I try to dart out at the first bellow of her voice and whiff of her shocking cologne.

Holiday house guests aren’t always “pet people,” so they don’t always think about leaving a gate or door wide open. This can mean a joyride around the neighborhood for pets like me, but can also end in tragedy. And as much as I want to get away, maybe you could make me a quiet place in the house where I can escape? I think the back room would work perfectly, if you’ll bring in my bed, water, and a few toys. Oh, and don’t tell Aunt Betty where to find me.

Because you recently updated and replaced my collar tag and had me microchipped at Oliver Animal Hospital, I feel confident that if I do find myself on the wrong side of the door this Christmas, a kind stranger can help me find my way home.

I hope you’ll see, dear owner, that I’m really trying hard to be good and stay safe this holiday season. A lot is at stake, given the many temptations and hazards that stand between me and that “nice” list—but now that you’ll be looking out for me and ensuring my safety, I think I’m guaranteed a gift under the tree this year.

Our pet has provided a lot of information about pet holiday safety. But, should you have additional questions, or would like to schedule a pre-holiday visit for your pet, contact Oliver Animal Hospital.