Holiday decorations, candles, special holiday meals, presents, candy, Christmas trees, mistletoe: many of the things that make the holidays look, taste, and smell so good can be potentially hazardous temptations for our pets. And our own distractions this time of year provide plenty of opportunities for mischief for our dogs and cats.

Alcoholic drinks left unattended may be lapped up by curious pups, and ribbons are frequently eaten off presents by inquisitive cats. Ornaments and tinsel can be the perfect temptation for a frisky feline, while the tree stand may look like a cool new water dish to your dog. To top it off, many popular holiday plants may look like a colorful, yummy treat, but can cause serious illness if consumed.

Since we can’t have our eyes on our pets 24/7, it is important to take appropriate precautions to protect them – – especially during the busier than usual holiday season. A good start is to become acquainted with all the potential pet hazards this time of year. We’ve listed some above, and the ASPCA has a great article on their site detailing additional considerations.

Perhaps the easiest way to protect our pets is to simply keep them out of harms way. Easier said than done, right? Actually, no!

DogWatch® Hidden Fences has a line of indoor pet containment systems that are safe and easy to use for both dogs and cats. Our Indoor Hidden Boundaries allow you to keep Fido or Fluffy safely in the areas you deem appropriate for them. Indoor Hidden Boundaries are available in both wired and wireless models, and will give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your pet is staying where you want him, even when you can’t be there.

Our Hidden Fences have been used successfully, both indoors and outdoors, for more than 20 years. They are efficient and effective. More importantly, they are safe for your pet and they keep your pet safe. As you probably know, our Hidden Fences are not “electric” fences; they operate on a ‘radio signal’ that is transmitted to a receiver collar worn by the dog (or cat.) The collar alerts the pet when he gets too close to the hidden boundary. Using flags and an audible signal from the collar, your pet is trained to recognize and respect his boundaries. Both dogs and cats usually learn quickly and easily.

Keep in mind that sometimes our Hidden Fences are mistakenly referred to generically as “invisible fences.” While there are similarities, Invisible Fence® is a brand name of a different company. There are also some important differences, so we invite you to visit our website at www.dogwatch.com to learn more about what sets DogWatch® Hidden Fences apart from other brands.

Here is the line-up of our versatile Indoor Hidden Boundaries products:

The IB-100 is a wireless Battery Operated Boundary (BOB) that you can use anywhere to create a pet-free zone. The IB-100 has a re-chargeable battery and will protect an area up to 8 feet in diameter. This is a perfect choice if you need a portable boundary that can be used without plugging it in.

The IB-200 is our most flexible solution to keep your pet safe inside. This transmitter can be used either with or without a boundary wire. You can install the IB-200 with a wire to protect a large defined indoor area or you can use it without a wire for greater flexibility to protect smaller areas up to 10 feet in diameter.

Scoot!® is an extra small transmitter that is used with a boundary wire that can be discreetly hidden under the lip of a kitchen island, around the edge of a window, around a specific piece of furniture and in many other small areas. This indoor pet fence works quietly, effectively and hidden from view making it virtually invisible.

To get started with one of these great indoor systems and keep your pets (and your decorations!) safe this holiday season, visit our web site to find your local dealer. Your dealer can further explain how the systems work and help you pick the right one for you and your pets.

Cat photo: C.W. Russell via Flickr. Image is cropped.