Holiday season is upon us, and in an effort to help keep your pets and yourself safe, please keep in mind the following guidelines:

1. Chocolate in all forms, especially dark or baking chocolate, can be extremely dangerous for dogs and cats.

Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, and even seizures.

2. Candies containing the artificial sweetener "xylitol" can be poisonous to dogs.

Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, leading to depression, lack of coordination, and seizures.

3. Keep tin foil and candy wrappers out of reach. Dogs and cats may lick these items and inadvertently ingest them, possibly leading to choking or intestinal blockage.

4. Decorative pumpkins and corn are nontoxic, however ingestion of these items can potentially cause gastrointestinal upset or blockage.

5. Holiday plants such as poinsettias and lilies are extremely toxic to dogs and cats; make sure to keep these plants out of reach.

6. Although you may be tempted to give your pets leftovers, some of the holiday meals can be too fatty for them to metabolize well, leading to serious illness, such as pancreatitis.

Avoid feeding your pet leftovers, and give an appropriate dog/cat treat instead. In addition, make sure to keep the trash can closed and secure.

7. Keep wires and cords from electrical lights and other decorations out of reach. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of plastic or glass, and possibly a life-threatening electrical shock.

8. ID’s please! With many households entertaining visitors in the next months, your pet may easily escape and become lost. A collar and tag, or a microchip can increase the chances that he/she will be returned to you.

9. Beware of lit candles in the house. Some pets are extremely curious, and can inadvertently knock candles over, causing a fire. Curious puppies and kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by flames.

10. Always remember that sparkly, shiny tree ornaments do not look appetizing to us, but to your furried friend, they may look like a tasty treat.

When decorating the tree, keep these ornaments out of reach, or keep the holiday tree beyond where your pet can access it.