Great Tips for a Pet Safe Holiday Season!

Well, the holidays are upon us again and that means social events and food, lots of food, from now to the end of the year. It seems fitting that the focus of the November Pet Wellness newsletter should be on nutrition and the value of good healthy food. With Thanksgiving less than three weeks away, this also seems like a good time to revisit how to keep our pets safe and happy throughout the holiday season.  

Firstly, let's remember that the combination of amazing cooking smells and the arrival of excited guests are all very stimulating to your pets. The very safest thing you can do for your pets during a big meal with lots of people in your home is to put them away, at least during the time when food is everywhere. Feeding them early is also a good idea and will make them at least a little less interested in what you are eating.

Prepare a quiet place for them away from the festivities. Don't banish them to spend the day there, but have it ready for those time outs that might be helpful... like when they just can’t seem to help begging, counter surfing and chasing the kids indoors!

Exercise is always important but especially so at the holidays. A nice long walk and some romping in leaf piles with the kids is a good way to spend some of that holiday energy and have everyone a bit calmer before sitting down to the long awaited feast.

Educate your guests as to what the 'pet rules' of the house are and let them know that these rules are for your pets' safety and well being. Be sure to let them know about begging, treats and where to safely put dish scrapings after the meal.  And keep an eye on Uncle Al who will secretly feed little Bailey treats all day and swear he's not doing it!

Thanksgiving leftovers for your pets may seem like a wonderful idea while you are feeling generous and in the holiday spirit, but don't do it unless your pet is accustomed to eating the same foods you are about to serve. For a pet unaccustomed to anything but kibble, the introduction of even a partial plate of thanksgiving dinner can create gastric disturbances (I'm trying to be delicate here) that could range from unpleasant to bad enough for an unexpected  trip to your veterinarian... just as you were about to serve the pie! Your veterinarian has lots of stories about this that I'm sure he or she will be happy to share with you.

Keep snacks and other plates of food out of reach. Even your most pet loving guests don't enjoy dog slobber with their crackers and cheese, and you definitely don't want your pet dangerously scarfing down the bacon wrapped scallop with the toothpick in it. Keep all things chocolate away from your pets. Chocolate can be very toxic and has induced seizures and even death in many pets.

Secure garbage receptacles safely out of reach of your pets. That means behind closed doors (inside a cabinet) or even high on the counter. A quick raid on cooked turkey bones can have tragic consequences for cats and dogs alike. I place all of my turkey bones into a bag that goes directly into my freezer and from there to an outdoor garbage can just before the scheduled weekly pickup.

Temporary ID tags are a great idea if you are taking your pet visiting with you on a holiday or at any other time. Most of us have our cell phones wherever we are so having your cell number on your pets' tags with your home telephone number is doubly effective if your pet has wandered off. 

Emergency veterinary care information whether displayed prominently in your own home or secured in advance of where you are visiting has saved many a pet's life. Be sure to ask whether the facility is open on the holiday and if not, where they refer their emergencies to. Then Google the driving directions and keep them handy with the rest of the information.

With all the upsets and difficulties that can show up unexpectedly in our lives, we never really have that far to look for something to be truly thankful for. I know it's that way for me, and I hope it is for you.