Keeping pets safe and happy during the holidays 🐶🐱

[Marjo]

Aww that's such a cute sleeping position @liggerz87 ! 🐀🐀🐀

I actually have 2 cacti at the moment, but Arthur keeps biting chunks off them and I think they are pretty much done now. I need to throw them away. He doesn't seem bothered, I think cats' skin is much tougher than human skin anyway, but it's the last time I have cacti in the house. I also accidentally swiped at the cactus with my own hand the other day and got a few needles lodged in my finger. 

I suppose I could get one of those glass-covered tiny cactus pots that would be safe from both the cats and my own clumsiness.

[Anonymous]

Simple.. ban Christmas

[liggerz87]

Ouch must have hurt ye rats sleep in well funny positions lol

[Hopeful2BHappy]

And if I may, please ensure little children are not left unsupervised with plants described in this thread : clearly affecting our pets, and so irratant/toxic for humans too.

Especially as children will have the natural curiosity to touch and take to mouth the pretty colours and shapes they are seeing around the Christmas tree...

Poinsettia's milky sap in particular is allergenic to skin & eyes and toxic if ingested. (As majority of plants from Euphorbia family).

One of the pretiest plant, in my opinion, and most used in making Christmas wreaths is Holly.

Did you know that Holly leaves, if eaten, might cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach and intestinal problems.

Sadly and scary if not aware of this, the Holly berries can cause vomiting and diarrhea. They are especially dangerous when accidental eating by children attracted to the bright red berries. Ingestion of over 20 berries may be fatal to children.

Having said all of this, I have been handing these plants for years, as I love making my own wreaths and table decorations for Christmas. My "secret "?! I wear gloves mostly; when not, I make sure I don't rub my eye, eat with dirty hands, etc, and yes, the classic washing hands thoroughly...

This way, my dog, 3 cats and my child never had toxicity issues over the years...

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

Thank you for that information @Hopeful2BHappy .

Must admit I knew about the dangers of holly leaves and berries, though wasnt aware of any problems with the poinsettia plant.

As you say, this is the most widely used/seen plant over the festive period, generally sent as gifts or bought as table centrepieces. In fact my son bought me one last week and they do brighten up any room.

Thanks for the information. I certainly will be sure to pass it on. 

[pgn Level 49: Rootin' Tootin']

As children we were always told to avoid contact with the milky sap of the Poinsettia plant. 

Mind you, there were a lot of things you wouldn't do today for health and safety reasons... Poking the little silvery beads of mercury and watching them skitter away and reclump was such fun! 

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

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@pgn wrote:

Mind you, there were a lot of things you wouldn't do today for health and safety reasons... Poking the little silvery beads of mercury and watching them skitter away and reclump was such fun! 

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Oh yes. Just imagine the amount of thermometers we broke (before digital) and running all round the ward picking up the glass and mercury beads!!

[Anonymous]

Did anyone else set fire to the gas taps in the science lab? (Off topic - don’t care)

[jonsie Level 94: Supreme]

All very scary. How the hell did we all survive with the ridiculous things we did in childhood? A lot of the stuff we did back then would set alarm bells ringing now.

Lead soldiers and lead based paint, the number of units of alcohol recommended today, rubbers on pencils, teddy bears with sharp pins and detachable eyes, lead toy cars. OMG how am I still here.

Having said that, great advice about the Christmas plants and berries which was one thing even our parents warned us about. The safety of children is every parents' concern and you can never be too over-protective.

[pgn Level 49: Rootin' Tootin']

Aerosol cans in the garden incinerator were pretty spectacular, from a distance.