Holiday Tips With Your Pets!

They say “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

While that is certainly true, things can quickly change if your cat slips out the door as company arrives or if the dog gets sick on the long drive to Grandma’s  house.  Here are 6 tips to help the holidays go smooth with pets.

1. Traveling: Whether you are going across town or to another state, traveling can be stressful for our pets.  A pet carrier with pheromones is a simple way to help your pet remain calm during travel.  If your pet gets sick or has anxiety during travel, contact us.  We may be able to help.
2.  Interaction With Other Pets: If your pet is boarding or will be interacting with other animals, make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccines.  Canines should be vaccinated against kennel cough and influenza to ensure they are protected if they will be interacting with other dogs.
3. Guest In the Home: Having extra people in the home can be overwhelming for our pets.  Designate a crate or quiet room for them to retreat to.  Play soft music and give them interactive toys to help them feel more at ease.
4. Probiotics:  The holidays always cause a disruption in the daily routine.  70% of your pet’s immune system is in the gut, so when disruptions hit your furry friend is more likely to have soft stools and be more prone to illness.  The good new is a probiotic is  great      way to strengthen your pet’s immune system.  We have a very easy to give your pets during the holiday season.  You just sprinkle it over your pet’s food once daily.  We have it in the clinic or online. 
5. Decorations:  Supervise your pets around the decor.  Christmas trees can be easily tipped over by our pets.  Plus, all the shiny ornaments look like new toys in their eyes.  Skip the tinsel: cats are notorious for eating tinsel which can cause some major GI upset. Also, watch those holiday plants and flowers.  Many are toxic to our pets.
6. Food & Snacks:  Especially with guest in the home, make sure your pets don’t get anything to eat that will make them
   sick.  Most people know that chocolate is toxic to our pets, but did you know an artificial sweetner called xylitol can be deadly to our pets?  It is found in many types of desserts and candies.  Turkey may seem safe, but it can be just enough to cause an upset stomach or worse, pancreatitis.  Yeast/Dough is never safe for your furry companions.  Pet Poison Helpline is a 24-hour resource if your pet gets into something over the holidays.

 If you need to set up an appointment before the holidays, click here.