During the holidays homes become filled with all sorts of seasonal delights. Many beloved holiday decorations and foods, however, present risks for our furry friends and pocketbooks.

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), Americans spent roughly $48 billion on their pets in 2010. Of that amount, they spent almost $13 billion on veterinary care and about $11 billion on medicine and medical supplies.

To protect these cherished family members, Pets Best Insurance encourages homeowners to rid houses of potential threats and carry pet health insurance as a backup. The Boise, Idaho-based insurer offers the following holiday safety reminders to keep costs down and keep Fido and Fluffy safe:

• Shiny tinsel and ribbon attract cats like a magnet. If ingested, they can tangle in the digestive tract, creating an obstruction and need for surgery.
• Many holiday plants and flowers are poisonous. Holly, for example, may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Several varieties of lilies can also cause kidney failure in cats.
• Chocolate is toxic to pets. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it can be to animals.
• Xylitol is a synthetic sugar substitute found in candy and chewing gum. The substance can be toxic to animals. Ingestion can cause liver damage and death.

“We recently had a case where a Boxer named Bella ate a whole pack of gum,” said Jared Hight, director of compliance at Pets Best Insurance. “The vet bill was $2,794.03. Luckily, Bella's owners had taken out pet insurance.”