Holidays are typically filled with special food, special friends and lots of activity. During these times of celebration, it is good to keep in mind that holidays can also be a time when you want to use extra care in keeping your pet family safe and healthy. Here are some tips to help achieve this:
If you plan to entertain, keep in mind crowds of people and holiday festivities can frighten animals. Make sure you have included a place for your pets that is away from the noise and the crowds, someplace they can go where they feel safe and secure.
If you are a cat owner, keep an eye on your cat's litter box use. Disruptions such as moving the furniture, parties, etc. can cause your feline to stop using its litter box. Try making gradual changes to avoid causing this to happen.
Do not give your pet holiday treats such as bones, table scraps or sweets. Bones can splinter and cause blockages or worse, any sudden change of diet, even for just one meal, can give your dog or cat stomach pain and diarrhea and chocolates can be poisonous to dogs.
Use judgement and make sure your holiday decorations are set up to be safe around animals. A Christmas tree can tip easily, shiny glass ornaments can be irresistable to cats and dogs and burning candles that are within a pet's reach can be knocked over, causing a fire.
We wish you and your pets a wonderful and healthy holiday. Keeping the tips we've outlined in mind during the holidays will help ensure your entire extended family arrives safely into the New Year.
