Tips for Keep Your Pet Happy and Healthy During the Holidays

Tips for Keeping your Pet Happy and Healthy During the Holidays.

Secure your Christmas Tree. Be sure to make certain that your tree is stable enough that your pets cannot knock it over, potentially causing injury. It’s also dangerous for the tree water to spill out as it can contain fertilizers and bacteria that can harm your pet if ingested.

Mind your candles. Lit candles can be a major hazard when you have mischievous animals running around. They could knock a candle over and start a fire or simply burn themselves playing near one. Please keep them out of reach of your pets and never leave them unattended.

Tinsel is a no-no. This sparkly, fun, light-catching decoration is just as attractive to kittens and sometimes puppies. If eaten, tinsel can cause severe stomach distress and even a GI obstruction. It’s really not worth taking a chance.

Avoid Mistletoe and Holly. Both of these plants can cause major gastrointestinal distress, including nausea and vomiting. Mistletoe, especially, can be very lethal, causing cardiac problems. Be mindful of all seasonal plants, as well. Lilies can cause renal failure if consumed and there are countless other flowers and plants that can be toxic.

During festivities, have a quiet place that is only for your pet. Loud guests and merry gatherings can be overwhelming for some animals. It’s always best practice to have a room or area that they can retreat to where others won’t follow. This is their space where they know they can feel safe and comfortable. This way they can come and go as they feel comfortable.

Having guests over? Do yourself a favor and make sure they know your house pet rules. They need to know if your animals are at risk for running if the door is left open, if your pet needs more space and less attention, and to follow your instructions when giving your pets any treats. It’s also important to stress the need for any luggage to be zipped up and any medication to be stored properly.

Be mindful of food. As we know, chocolate is a no-no for both cats and dogs; but, fatty and spicy foods are bad for them as well. Be sure if you do share some meat with your pet, it is lean and there are no bones in it. Carrots and sweet potatoes with lean meat are great options if you want your pet to have a holiday plate of their own.

Consider the temperature. Please don’t leave your pets outdoors during cold weather. It’s nearly as hard on them as it is on us. Of course, we recommend our Hale Pet Door so they have access to the outside as well as the warmth of the indoors. If your pet is easily chilled, a sweater is a nice option for indoors. Just be sure it fits snugly enough that it can’t catch on things, but also not too tight, as this can cause painful rashes under the arms.

Here at HALE PET DOOR we hope you and your family have a wonderful Holiday Season! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Omisoka! Please be safe, be blessed and enjoy your family, human and four-legged alike.

www.halepetdoor.com