Long, stringy things are a feline's dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery.

Selecting Special Treats:В Looking to stuff your pet's stockings? Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible.

If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

Careful with Cocktails:В If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them.

Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won't lead to costly medical bills.

Leave the Leftovers:В Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends.

Skip the Sweets:В By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising pet will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.

A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet's mouth and digestive tract.

Wired Up:В Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach.

And if you leave the room, put the candle out! Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface.

Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. That Holiday Glow:В Don't leave lighted candles unattended.It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. Tinsel-less Town:В Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching 'toy' that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths.

Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet. And many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested.

Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Avoid Mistletoe & Holly:В Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe. This will also prevent the tree water-which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset-from spilling. Oh, Christmas Tree:В Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet.Also, please be sure to steer pets clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations.Д«e Careful with Seasonal Plants and Decorations As you gear up for the holidays, it is important to try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. The holiday season is upon us, and many pet parents plan to include their furry companions in the festivities.

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