Holiday Tips for Cats and Dogs

Like children, your pets need you to keep an extra eye on them during the holidays. Accidents and illnesses can strike at any moment. However, complications during the holidays are more prevalent. Here are some factors to consider when dealing with your dog or cat during the holidays.

Diet

Just because you may eat fancy foods this season does not mean you should do the same for your pet. According to veterinarians, it is wise to stick to their regular diet. You will avoid stomach issues.

If you must give them a little something, mix it with their usual meal. If you have none, look for some pet-safe human food. These include green beans, pumpkin, carrots, peanut butter, and sweet potatoes. Avoid foods that are dangerous to them. These include:
 

• Alcoholic drinks

• Chocolate, sweets, and candy

• Cooked bones

• Foods with spices

• Fatty foods, including gravy

Sudden Loud Noises

Sudden loud noises from fireworks may be exciting when you and your guests celebrate the New Year. The case is different for cats and dogs. These sounds tend to scare them. During such celebrations, it is best to seclude them in a comfortable, quiet room. To drown the blares, switch on devices that create white noise, like a television, fan, or radio.

Before letting your pet out after the festivities, clean up the confetti from the house. Cats and dogs may see them as snacks and ingest them, leaving them with stomach issues.

Dealing With Party Guests

During the holidays, you may choose to have family or friends over for a party. However, having many unfamiliar faces talking and laughing can stress your cat or dog. To prepare your dog for this encounter, take them for frequent exercise sessions outdoors.

Alternatively, a chew toy will keep them busy while your guests are around. If they still look uncomfortable, guide them to a separate quiet room. Household pets, like cats, often hide on their own when there is commotion.

Toxic Plants

Party decorations like mistletoe help rein in the holiday spirit at your home. Without your knowledge, pets can eat or take a bite of these plants, making them very sick. To avoid this scenario, keep these toxic plants out of your pet's reach. Also, you can use artificial, nonpoisonous plants in their place. Decorative plants like poinsettias are not deadly to cats and dogs. However, they can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Christmas Trees

Cats and dogs can easily topple over a Christmas tree in your house. Once you bring it into your home, secure it firmly to keep it from falling. Place a tight-fitting skirt around the base of the tree to block your pets from drinking the water therein. If you use chemicals to keep it fresher longer, ensure they are safe for animals.

When hanging ornaments, put the smallest ones high up out of reach of tails and paws. Cats are particularly fond of shiny things like tinsel. If your pet ingests them, they can cause severe obstructions in their intestines. The same care should extend to pine needles, snow globes, and strings of lights.

For more holiday tips for cats and dogs, visit Dr. Mike's Affordable Vet Care at our Arlington, Texas, office. Call (817) 663-8160 to schedule an appointment today.