Keeping pets from eating decorations

By Dr. John Koch

Question: My cat recently went through a period of several days when he wasn't feeling like his usual feisty self. Finally he threw up this awful looking stuff that was part string, part Christmas tree tinsel, part plant material, and some other stuff I didn't recognize. This is the third year in a row something like this has happened at Christmas. I figure he has used at least three of his nine lives. Is there anything that can be done to prevent him from eating stuff that could be harmful?

Answer: Another age-old adage is that "curiosity killed the cat."

A cat having nine lives is obviously a myth, however a cat's curiosity can unfortunately prove fatal. The holiday can be particularly dangerous because there are so many new and interesting things about which pets can be curious.

If you are a cat or dog, Christmas trees with electric light cords attached to them are so tempting to chew. The dangling tinsel and ornaments are so much fun to bat about and break if possible. New plants, decorations, wrapped presents with pretty ribbons have to be explored and perhaps swallowed. Those smells coming from the oven are just too tempting to resist should an opportunity arise to partake of such culinary delights. There are no doubt other holiday hazards you or I could never imagine being a threat that "Tabby" or "Fido" is sure to discover.

There are all kinds of ideas about how to discourage pets from engaging in harmful holiday behavior. You can smear bad tasting stuff on decorations; provide scary little noise devices that sends the adventurous pet scampering if they get too close; or provide other harmless, but unpleasant surprises for the mischievous interloper. However, the bottom line is to keep potential harm out of reach!

Best wishes for a happy holiday season to all our furry little friends and their masters.

Dr. Koch is a Cape Girardeau veterinarian.