Don't let your pet be a holiday tragedy

If you’re a “Christmas Vacation” fan, you know the scene: Aunt Bethany’s cat spends one of her nine lives on a Christmas light electrocution. We were sure our kitten would meet the same fate, each time she climbed the tree.

Visions of fried kitty go poorly with sugar plums and winter naps. So, to avoid such holiday pet catastrophes, consider these holiday tips for pet lovers:

• Keep enticing tinsel, ribbons and garlands away from pets (we skip the ribbons or add them Christmas Eve). If ingested, these can become lodged in animals’ intestines. Same goes with tinfoil and that shiny foil wrapping paper.

• Don’t feed pets table scraps or leave trash unsecured; upset tummies and diarrhea may result, along with ruined carpet and costly emergency vet visits.

• Secure or cover light cords to deter chewing. Pet stores have pet-proof extension cords to prevent shock or electrocution.

• Keep cats inside — temperatures are down to freezing.

• Cats may sleep under the warm hoods of cars or the wheel well. Bang on the hood of your car before starting the engine.

• Never let a dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm; dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. The sound of cars is also deadened in snow; your pet may not hear an oncoming vehicle.

• Thoroughly wipe off your pet’s legs and stomach after being outdoors. Salt, antifreeze or other chemicals may get ingested while licking paws. Look for pet-safe snow-melt products.

• Never leave a pet in a car alone during cold weather. Cars trap in cold and can cause an animal to freeze to death.

Moving from tips to requests, if you want to help with a donation see the wish list at Kootenaihumanesociety.com, call KHS at (208) 772-4019, or just ask staff at Petco. Many items are inexpensive but much appreciated.

And thanks to KHS staff and volunteers for all you do, year-round.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. [email protected]