What could be a better surprise than a cuddly puppy sporting a bright ribbon on Christmas morning?
Certainly not the surprises that could follow, said Jim Strickland, a veterinarian with the University of Georgia Extension Service.
"People who get pets as surprise Christmas gifts generally have some more surprises coming," Strickland said.
Puppies and kittens are cute and cuddly, he said. But they don't usually come fully trained. They can leave some unpleasant "gifts" in inappropriate places.
Depending on how well the giver knows the recipient, the pet itself might even be inappropriate. "Sometimes people end up with large or active dogs and no place to put them," Strickland said.
If you find a cuddly surprise under your tree, he said, the first thing you need to do is provide a good place to keep it.
If it's going to be an inside pet, he said, have a place where you can begin house-training it.
Another "first thing" is to feed your pet. Many stores sell a variety of pet foods. A rule of thumb Strickland uses is that "it takes an ounce of feed a day for each pound a dog weighs." Cats require a little less than that.
Puppies and kittens need to be fed often, he said. "They probably should be fed three or four times a day at first," he said. "If you don't feed them properly, they have a greater tendency to be destructive around the house." Increase the time between feedings as the pet gets older.
Once you settle on food and shelter, the next job is to get your pet through the holidays. "Dogs and cats can encounter more dangerous things at Christmas than are normally around them," Strickland said.
Among the dangers:
Christmas decorations. "Dogs like to chew electrical cords," he said, "and may even bite down on tree lights and glass ornaments. Keep those out of reach of the pets."
Leftover turkey. "Too many leftovers and long, brittle bones can choke or penetrate the digestive tract of dogs or cats," he said. "Table scraps can cause chronic digestive upset in dogs, too."
Holiday candy. Chocolate, the biggest danger, has a toxin related to caffeine that can kill a dog or cat by overstimulating the heart. Unsweetened baking chocolate is especially deadly. Hard candies, too, can easily choke dogs and cats.
Seasonal plants. "Things like mistletoe, poinsettias and Jerusalem cherry may be toxic to dogs and cats," he said.
"All this adds up to the fact that Christmas really isn't a good time to get a pet," he said.
But that's when people like most to give them. And many breeders and pet shops gear up to meet the holiday demand. And pets do make fine gifts.
"The best thing about owning a pet may be that special bond that develops between the animal and its owner," Strickland said.
But be sure to get the pet's medical records. Then take the pet and its records to a local vet as soon as you can -- within a week, if possible.
Check with the vet to schedule vaccines, dewormings and flea and tick control for dogs and cats and heartworm prevention for dogs. "Go ahead and set a timetable to have it neutered, too," Strickland said.
