KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Ed. Note: The following is a KHTS Feature story based on a recent radio interview with Cinema Veterinary Centre
Pet owners can help keep their dog or cat safe this winter by following a few holiday pet safety tips from Santa Clarita veterinarian Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto.
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Bring Pets Indoors
Just days after a Cold Weather Alert was issued in the Santa Clarita Valley by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Ronchetto is reminding pet owners to bring dogs and cats indoors during cold winter temperatures.
“The rule is, if it’s too cold for you then it’s too cold for them,” she said. “It doesn’t really matter that they have a fur coat on. They still will get way too cold and it can be dangerous.”
Related: Thanksgiving Food Dos And Don’ts For Pets
In addition, extreme cold weather can draw wild animals like coyotes and bobcats into residential neighborhoods from the wash and other areas, putting the safety of outdoor cats and dogs at risk.
“We’ve actually had reports called into the clinic that they’ve seen coyotes trying to get into yards even as late as eight or nine in the morning,” Ronchetto said. “So they can be very bold when they’re looking for food. They can scale those walls, and certainly the smaller dogs and cats are not safe if they’re not supervised.”
Keep Holiday Decorations Out of Pets’ Reach
Holiday decorations like tinsel and ribbons are dangerous for both dogs and cats if ingested, making it important to keep these types of items out of pets’ reach.
“They like to chew on those types of things and that can be really dangerous and cause obstructions,” Ronchetto said. “It can get stuck places, under the tongue even, and cause lots of problems.”
Electrical cords and wires from holiday lights and other decorations also pose an electrocution threat to pets who might chew on them, so pet owners should be mindful of what their pets can reach.
Limit Pets’ Access to the Christmas Tree
The staple of many homes during the holiday season is the Christmas tree, but its can presence can pose a number of dangers to pets.
First, be sure to cover the water at the base of the tree so pets can’t drink it. The stagnant water can make pets sick, and any added preservatives can be toxic if ingested.
“Try to keep your dogs (and cats) out from underneath (the tree),” Ronchetto said.
Also be sure to hang any potentially harmful decorations out of pets’ reach, including tinsel, lights or ornaments they may try to chew, eat or play with.
“I’ve seen lots of pictures of trees with baby gates,” Ronchetto added with a laugh.
For a complete list of holiday pet safety tips from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, click here.
Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto, DVM, is a Santa Clarita veterinarian who opened her own veterinary hospital in Valencia after spending several years in private practice as an associate veterinarian at other SCV hospitals. Ronchetto and the staff at Cinema Veterinary Centre strive to give every dog, cat and pocket pet outstanding quality care in the areas of medicine and surgery. A Hart High School graduate, Ronchetto earned her BS degree from UC Davis and graduated with Honors from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Cinema Veterinary Centre
23460 Cinema Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 253-9300
