Tips Our Pets Will Be Thankful For.

Hello again! 

 

Well, it's great to be back!  Sorry I haven't been able to post much recently, but I'm sure you all know how crazy it can get around this time of year!  Tis the season for family and friends, festive fun, and of course lots of fabulous  food.  But let us not forget how all of this can affect the four-legged members of our family. 

 

All of the yummy smells of Thanksgiving dinner are likely to send our furry friends into a food frenzy.  Unfortunately, the holiday meal can also be a source of danger for our pets.  By following a few simple precautions, we can ensure the upcoming holiday will be happy and healthy for the entire family.

 

When planning for Thanksgiving, consider the following:

 

1.  Discourage family members and guests from feeding your pet inappropriate snacks.  Feeding turkey to your dog or cat can cause him or her unwanted abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea; none of which would be very welcome during this festive holiday.  And of course you should always keep chocolate away from your pets as it can be harmful to him or her because of the theobromine and caffeine.  Rapid breathing and hyperactivity are signs of a bad reaction to chocolate.  I'll gladly accept any chocolate you want to share...chocolate NEVER causes me a bad reaction! 

 

If you or your guests really want to indulge your cat or dog, try giving them their own special treats.  Offer them Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones.  Or give them a true "feast fit for a kong" by stuffing their usual dinner with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans), and dribbles of gravy into a kong toy.  They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy, while the humans are chowing down on their own delicious feast! 

 

2.  Secure your garbage.  It only takes a minute for your little scavenger to get into the garbage and wolf down whatever smells good-including the string used to tie the turkey.  Your pet may also enjoy licking the food off the aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and/or wax paper from holiday foods.  The swallowing of such coverings can cause an intestinal obstruction.  Turkey bones may also be harmful for your pet.  A brittle, spiky bone could lodge in the esophagus or cause an irritation of his or her stomach or intestines.

 

3.  Try to maintain your pet's schedule for feeding and exercise as much as possible.  Minimizing your pet's stress means being aware of his or her daily routine and expectations.  Pay as much attention to your pet as usual so that he or she will not feel neglected or insecure.

 

4.  Make sure your furry friend has fresh water at all times.  Frequently check your pet’s water bowl to make sure it is full and the water is clean.  In a house full of busy relatives, your pet's water bowl can easily be bumped and the water spill out. 

 

5.  Keep current registration and identification tags on your pet and, if your pet has a microchip, be sure the information connected to that chip is up-to-date as well.  With guests coming in and out of your home, it is very easy for a door to be left ajar and for your animal to sneak out while everyone is busy greeting one another.

 

6.  Provide a quiet refuge for your animal.  With all the holiday fanfare, your pet will need a “time out” from visiting friends and family.  A comfortable crate is one solution; a room with a “Do Not Disturb” sign is another possibility.  Give your dog or cat time and space to settle down or take a nap.  You might want to sneak away and join him or her for a nap too after eating all that turkey! 

 

By being aware of these potential hazzards to your pets, you can enjoy the  day knowing you've taken the necessary steps to keep your beloved pets safe and comfortable.  And that's something both humans and animals can truly be thankful for!

 

I wish all of you and your furry friends a very happy Thanksgiving! 

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!