With the holiday season in full swing, there are extra precautions pet owners should take to make sure the celebrations stay safe and fun for everybody.

Jemma Omidian, who is the Outreach Co-ordinator from the SaskSPCA, says that many common holiday decorations can pose a threat to pets, but adds that there are some safer alternatives pet owners can try out.

“Tinsel is pretty dangerous, it’s a pretty big obstruction risk. I always recommend using LED candles, if you really want to use real candles, make sure they are out of pet’s reach. Things like chocolate, which is so common. We all love getting a box of chocolate as a gift, but you want to make sure that if you have gifts under the tree, to tell people if there’s treats in them.”

Along with precautions related to the holidays, winter temperatures are another thing pet owners should be cognizant of. Omidian says that when it comes to outside time, every pet has a different level of tolerance to winter.

“You want to make sure that you know your individual animal’s comfort levels. Things to look for is if they’re hunched over, if their tails are tucked, if they’re shivering, if they’re whining, if they’re lifting their feet. Your dog will tell you if they’re cold and that’s when you know you should turn around and come back inside.”

Omidian adds that it’s important for pet owners to supervise their pets while they’re outside as the cold weather increases the risk of hypothermia.

She says there are a few hypothermia symptoms pet owners should watch out for.

“The symptoms would be things like prolonged shivering. If you get them inside, they’re in a warm space and they’re still shivering and they can’t seem to stop, that’s a warning sign. Weakness, lethargy, if they’re just not able to walk around, muscle stiffness, if you lift up their lips and look at their gums, if they’ve got really pale gums, confusion and slow shallow breathing, and then obviously loss of consciousness.”

If you suspect your pet has hypothermia, take them to a vet immediately.