AUGUSTA — The holiday season can be an exciting, active time for Maine families and their pets. State officials have offered some helpful tips for pet owners and those expanding their families to include new pets. The pointers aim to help avoid stressful visits to the veterinary emergency room.

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s state veterinarian and director of Animal Welfare are urging Mainers to consider the following:

Acquiring a new pet

Animal Welfare Director Liam Hughes recommends doing some basic research ahead of time. Pets owners need to be ready for a long-term emotional and financial commitment. Before adopting or purchasing a new pet, people should consider a number of things, including: does my/our lifestyle allow time for a pet; what type of pet; and what are the costs associated with a pet? If looking for a pet in Maine, search animal shelters, pet stores or breeders that are licensed by the state.

Tips for adopting a new pet

• Work with a reputable local humane society whenever possible.

• Meet with the pet prior to adopting it to ensure that its behavior and demeanor are a good match for the family.

• Obtain a copy of the animal’s medical record, vaccination history and certificate of veterinary inspection (health certificate).

• Ensure that the dog or cat is vaccinated for rabies if it is three months of age or older.

• If working with a rescue organization, ensure that it is properly registered and licensed in the state and in the state where the business is based, and/or with USDA Animal Care.

• Only adopt or buy a pet from a licensed facility. Pet stores, breeders and animal shelters need to have their state license posted in a visible place. If they are not licensed, a family may not get what they hoped for and a lot of future problems.

• Avoid parking lots. If someone wants to meet in a strange parking lot to exchange money for a pet, use caution. Animal Welfare suggests people use the parking lot at the local police department. It may help reduce the chances of being scammed.

• Breeders, animal shelters/rescues and pet stores should be open and helpful and they should be available to answer questions or concerns.

• Schedule an appointment with a vet right away to make sure the pet is healthy. Plus the vet will be able to help integrate a new pet into the family.

• If needed, consider a local animal trainer.

• Check with local town offices on laws. Dogs need to be licensed when they turn 6 months old.

• Give a new pet time to adjust and get them into a good routine early on.

Helping pets avoid danger

The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests keeping food away from pets. Pet owners should make or buy treats formulated for them. Foods that are especially harmful to pets include:

• Chocolate, which is toxic to dogs and cats;

• Sweets and baked goods, which not only can be too rich for pets, it may contain artificial sweetener that is linked to liver failure and death in dogs;

• Turkey and turkey skin, which can cause life-threatening pancreatitis;

• Table scraps, which contains foods that are toxic to pets, such as onions, raisins and grapes; and 

• Yeast dough, which can cause painful gas and dangerous bloating.

If pet owners believe their pets have been poisoned or eaten something it shouldn’t have, they should contact a veterinarian or local veterinary emergency clinic immediately or the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 1-888-426-4435. Signs of pet distress include sudden changes in behavior, depression, pain, vomiting or diarrhea.

Decorating safety for pets

Greenery, lights and Christmas trees can make the holidays festive, but they also pose risky temptations for our pets. Christmas trees can tip over if pets climb on them or try to play with the lights and ornaments.

Pet owners should consider tying trees to the ceiling or a door frame using fishing line to secure it.

Ornaments can cause hazards for pets. Broken ornaments can cause injuries, and ingested ornaments can cause intestinal blockage or even toxicity. Homemade ornaments, particularly those made from salt-dough or other food-based materials, should be kept out of reach of pets.

Flowers and festive plants can result in an emergency veterinary visit. Poinsettias, amaryllis, mistletoe, balsam, pine, cedar and holly are among the common holiday plants that can be dangerous and even poisonous to pets who decide to eat them.  

Candles are attractive to pets as well as people. Pet owners should never leave a pet alone in an area with a lit candle; it could result in a fire.

Potpourris should be kept out of reach of inquisitive pets. Liquid potpourris pose risks because they contain essential oils and cationic detergents that can severely damage your pet’s mouth, eyes and skin. Solid potpourris could cause problems if eaten.

Pet owners should also consider unplugging decorations while they’re not around. Pets are often tempted to chew electrical cords. 

Hosting parties and visitors

Visitors can upset pets, as can the noise and excitement of holiday parties. Even pets that aren’t normally shy may become nervous in the hubbub that can accompany a holiday gathering. The following tips will reduce emotional stress on pets and protect guests from possible injury.

• All pets should have access to a comfortable, quiet place inside if they want to retreat such as a room or crate away from the commotion where guests won’t follow. Nervous pets may be confined here during the event.

• Pet owners may inform your guests ahead of time that they have pets. Guests with allergies or compromised immune systems need to be aware of the pets so they can take any needed precautions to protect themselves.

• If guests ask to bring their own pets, and it’s unknown how the pets will get along, pet owners should politely decline their request or plan to spend some time acclimating the pets to each other, supervising their interactions, monitoring for signs of a problem, and taking action to avoid injuries to pets or people prior to the event.

• Exotic pets make some people uncomfortable and may themselves be more easily stressed by gatherings. Pet owners may consider keeping exotic pets safely away from the hubbub of the holidays.

• Pet owners should watch the exits to prevent a pet from making a break for it out the door and become lost.

• Identification tags and microchips reunite families. Pets should have identification with current contact information.

• Trash and food scraps also should be cleared away where pets can’t reach it.

Terri Levesque and her son, Blake, are thrilled to meet their new cat, Sambo, a surprise delivery by the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society “elf” Stevanie Roy. The cat was delivered Christmas morning 2016. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal file photo)