All the trappings of Christmas can be a health trap for our pets.

Cats and dogs alike seem to love drinking the water out of the Christmas tree basin, but it isn't good for them, especially if preservatives are added to the water, said Dr. Betsy Squires, a veterinarian at Forest Inn Veterinary Hospital in Lehighton. The preservatives could be toxic.Some people add aspirin to the water to make the tree stay fresh longer, but the American Veterinary Medical Association warns against adding aspirin, sugar or anything to the water of the tree.As far as the toxicity of the tree, the AVMA said balsam, pine and cedar can make pets ill. The organization has an extensive list of plants on its website that can sicken cats and dogs.Some of the Christmas favorites that can be particularly dangerous to pets if ingested are amaryllis and holly. Squires said mistletoe is extremely toxic to both cats and dogs.Poinsettias used to be considered highly toxic for cats, but have since fallen off the list. Still, Squires recommends keeping them out of the reach of feline friends. The plant has tiny crystals in the leaves that can cause irritation and redness on the tongue and increase salivation."I would keep any plant material away from the cats," she said.People have asked Squires how they can keep their kitten from climbing the Christmas tree."They scale these trees and it's a lot of fun for them, but they can tip the tree over," she said.It's best to anchor it to a wall.Squires also warns that cats love to chew tree lights - sometimes the cord, sometimes the light bulbs. The light bulbs can cause injury to the inside of the cat's mouth and other organs if large and sharp enough. Similarly, ornament hooks and broken glass ornaments can be harmful.Even tinsel can cause significant damage if eaten. It can cause intestinal blockages and can saw through the intestines, Squires said.If possible, put up a baby gate around the tree or close off that room to the pet, she said. If that's not practical, closely monitor the animal. There are sprays that are supposed to keep cats from scratching furniture, but Squires isn't sure how well they will work on Christmas trees. Outdoor sprays for gardens are too pungent for inside the house.People food isn't any good for our pets either.Squires said chocolate is a big no-no for pets. Dark chocolate might be good for our hearts, but it isn't for theirs. Fatty meats like ham and even turkey scraps are no good for pets. Cats won't usually go for it, but "dogs will eat anything," she said. The rich food can cause pancreatitis."It's a very devastating disease and expensive to treat," Squires said. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea.Keep grapes, raisins, onions, macadamia nuts and the artificial sweetener xylitol away from cats and dogs, too. The fruits and nuts are toxic to the kidneys. And the sweetener can cause hyperglycemia in diabetic animals and cause the liver to go into necrosis.All hope isn't lost in having a traditional Christmas though.Squires suggests making some homemade biscuits to distract Fido. It can be a fun activity for the family and recipes can be found on the Internet.If baking some biscuits is out, she recommends Nyla bones or Kong toys, which is a ball that bounces in different directions. She said stay away from the rawhide though. Some of it is made in other countries and is processed with heavy metals that can be deadly to dogs.For kitty, she suggests catnip."Catnip can be a heck of a lot of fun for a cat," she said.Most cats like it, but some cats are missing the gene that causes them to be attracted to it.The American Veterinary Medical Association offers some additional helpful tips.• Never leave pets alone with lit candles or simmering potpourri.• Keep the phone number of a 24/7 veterinary clinic in an easily accessible spot. Also include the name and phone number of the family veterinarian and the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline, which is 888-426-4435. A fee may apply.• Hosting a party? Make sure the pet has somewhere quiet where it can get away from the crowd or put a nervous pet in another room with a favorite toy. For the guests, it's best to let them know beforehand that there are pets in the household in case some are allergic. And don't bring out any exotic pets• Going away for the holidays? Take your pet's health certificate if traveling inter-state or internationally. Make sure to pack the pet's medications, supplies and restrain the pet's carrier if traveling by car. If boarding a dog, make sure to protect it from canine flu.