It’s the most wonderful time of the year—until your pet ingests some tinsel or decides to drink from the Christmas-tree water. Here are some common holiday hazards for pets: 1. Ribbon and rubber bands. If ingested, these can cause serious damage to the intestines. 2. Plants, including mistletoe, holly, poinsettia, and even your Christmas tree, can be very toxic and may lead to kidney failure. 3. Electrical cords. We all saw what happened to poor Fluffy on ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’. Use cord keepers to cover power cords or store all loose cords to make them less enticing for your cat or dog. Jamie Hercun, Best West Pet Foods, BestWest.ca