Give Your Pet a Safe Gift This Holiday Season

Your pet is a part of your family and you naturally want to include her in the holiday festivities, including giving her a new toy as a gift. At Furry Friends Mobile Vet, we urge you to consider the following factors when choosing a present for your pet:

• Your pet’s size is a big consideration when it comes to giving him chewable toys. A small rubber ball may be fine for a poodle, but a large breed dog might choke on it.
   
•  Stitches, plastic eyes, ribbons, and ties attached to toys can quickly become a choking hazard if your dog or cat is able to get the item loose. Be sure to remove these items before giving your pet the toy to ensure her safety.
   
•  Your pet should understand the difference between his toys and items that belong to other people in the household. One way to teach him what is safe to play with is to give him plenty of positive reinforcement when he reaches for his own toy. Pet-proof your home as much as possible so he doesn’t have access to children’s toys, TV remotes, office supplies, and other things that could hurt him if ingested. Be sure to take away items that aren’t his immediately if he does get into them.
   
• If you choose to give a stuffed toy, make certain that you know what is inside of it. Stuffing material and beads could both present a choking hazard if your pet rips the toy apart. It’s best to supervise your pet with any new toy until you know how she will interact with it.
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The entire staff of Furry Friends Mobile Vet wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.