By Adria L. Henderson

and Lisa N. Peterson

It’s the week before Christmas and the pet store at the mall is filled to capacity with families peering at the eager puppy faces. Signs on the puppy cages announce “Special for Xmas,” “Please bring me home” and “I want to be under your tree Christmas morning.”

Pet shops use every kind of enticement to lure families into buying those little balls of fur.

Christmas is the busiest time of year for pet stores that sell live animals. It is also the busiest time of year for local shelters and pounds as hundreds of animals are brought to the pound after the holidays.

For instance, dogs get loose because everyone is too busy to watch the front door.

But mostly, families realize, soon after the holidays, that the cute ball of fur requires work and responsibility.

Watching the new puppy batting the Christmas decorations around or grabbing the new slipper quickly loses its humor. That barking and chewing little baby requires leash walking at least four times a day, staying up nights when he gets lonely. and cleaning up after all his mistakes. He also requires some expense. The first visit to the vet and first set of shots will set you back a bit.

And you can’t just ignore or discard the puppy after the holidays like some Christmas toys.

At any other time of year a puppy is a great gift for the family who is ready to accept the more than 15-year commitment of owning, caring for and loving a dog or cat. Christmas is probably the worst time to bring a new pet into a household.

At seven to ten weeks puppies can develop fears associated with being separated from his littermates and mother. Most puppies are purchased or adopted during this critical stage. This is the time that they require the most attention and nurturing from their new families. It would be very difficult to devote the time and emotions necessary for your puppy’s proper social development during the hectic holiday season.

A houseful of guests, lots of children, excitement and noise is not the ideal environment for a new puppy. A new puppy needs quiet, love and attention.

Strict scheduling also is the key to a short housebreaking program. If you are busy with family and friends during the holidays, your schedule is most likely going to be hectic. This will necessarily cause you to change your puppy’s housebreaking scheduling daily. The additional excitement will be overwhelming for the puppy and could cause intestinal distress. This, too, will interfere with his housebreaking routine.

Why not wrap a photo of the new puppy you picked out from the local shelter or a reputable breeder and put that under the tree with a little note, “To be picked up after January 1, 2001!”

Pet-Proof The Holidays

There are also some important things to consider for your current pets during the winter holidays. Your beautifully decorated Christmas tree can be a source of true disaster for your pets. Wires from lights can be chewed, tinsel ingested and glass ornaments broken and stepped on. 

It is good idea to unplug all Christmas tree lights and decorations unless you are in the room. New wires lying around are just too appealing to both dogs and cats. And those fragile decorations at the bottom of the tree should be moved closer to the top in a house full of cats. Certainly lighted candles should never be left unattended with pets around.

Christmas plants such as poinsettias, mistletoe and holly berries are poisonous to your pets and will cause severe intestinal problems if ingested. Why not use artificial decorations, especially if you have kittens or puppies around? Forget the preservative in the Christmas tree water unless it is pet safe.

Also, don’t forget that cats climb trees. Your cat doesn’t know that these trees can fall over. Just because the tree is in the middle of the living room will not deter Sylvester!

Try not to place gifts under the tree that will attract your pet. Wrapped food or candy should be saved for the day they will be opened. Chocolate is poisonous to most dogs, cats and birds. The last thing you need Christmas morning is a dog or cat with an upset stomach or worse.

Don’t put your pet’s gifts under the tree until Christmas morning either. Rawhide, biscuits, catnip, etc will de discovered long before Santa arrives. Not only is it safer to wait until Christmas, new toys will keep Fido busy while you are entertaining your guests.

Putting new Christmas collars or bandanas on your dog is not advised unless you are present to supervise activities or he is used to wearing them. Small toys and bells may be great fun for your cats, but your puppy or older dog will find them just as attractive . . . as a snack. Your cat will be just as happy and entertained with the boxes saved from your gifts.

During Christmas dinner you may be planning to keep Fido and Sylvester out of the dining room. The best option is to find a safe sanctuary inside your home. However, if you have to keep your dog outside for any length of time, caution is advised in the cold weather.

The following suggestions hold true for all cold weather days.

Some dogs like the cold weather. However, single-coated dogs, even though they are large, such as Dobermans or Greyhounds still need protection from the cold. Small breeds not used to the cold should never be left outside for long periods of time and should always be protected from the elements with a sweater or coat. And don’t discount the idea of boots for the toy breeds! Dog’s pads can freeze and frostbite is not an uncommon problem for dogs left out in colder weather.

If your dog has to stay outside be sure to provide shelter from the cold and wind. Check his water frequently to make sure it’s not frozen. A heated water bowl is a fairly inexpensive option.

Cement pen and garage floors are not appropriate surfaces for dogs to sleep on. This is especially true for older dogs and puppies. Be sure there are sufficient blankets, fleece pads or other soft, warm bedding. Using straw, wood chips, pine needles or other natural products in your outdoor pen may be fine for a few days, but they will mold and mildew quickly, especially in damp weather. Keeping your dog well groomed will also help. Matted fur does not insulate properly.

Purchase only pet-safe ice melters that will not burn your pet’s pads and are not poisonous if ingested. There is also more than one brand of pet-safe antifreeze for your car. Leaking antifreeze on your garage floor or driveway is very attractive to both dogs and cats because of its sweet taste. It is fatal if swallowed!

Before you let Fido back into the kitchen after dinner, plastic bags, bones from your turkey, aluminum foil and plastic wrap with gravy and juices should be disposed of properly. Why not prepare a special doggie treat while you and your family are having your holiday dinner?

Lastly, set aside some time to spend with your dog during the holidays. He may not be getting much attention during this season and deserves some special time. How about a long walk early in the morning before guests are up and your holiday tasks begin?

Don’t forget to include your pets in your Christmas holiday photos. They are part of your family.

And especially don’t forget that great big hug on Christmas morning for your best friend.

Adria L. Henderson and Lisa Peterson, owners of Safe at Home, a Newtown based Pet Sitting business contribute Animal Lifestyles. You can contact us by phone at 203-426-5784. Write to us at PO Box 427 Bots ford, Ct. 06404 or e-mail us at animallifestyles@usa.net. We welcome our reader’s response.