Thanksgiving–Those soulful eyes may tempt pet owners to give in to their begging critters, but sharing the fabulous feast can lead to trouble for pets!
1. Go easy on the tidbits– Too much fatty or rich food, or simply new types of food can upset a pet’s stomach, even causing pancreatitis.
2. Never allow pets to gnaw on turkey bones– Poultry bones can splinter in a pet’s stomach and be deadly, and all bones should go outside to the trash immediately.
3. Take all turkey-flavored goodies to the outside trash can before bedtime– items like the red pop-up timer, the plastic wrapping and the string used to tie up the bird smell tempting to curious pets, but can tie up their stomachs as well.
4. Review these rules with guests as well– Well-meaning holiday visitors might not know the potential harm caused by slipping a savory turkey bone to the pet under the table.
5. Make the holiday special for your four-footed family members– Offer them treats that are made just for them, like canned pet food or a tasty new chewee or toy.
Christmas-Decorating wisely and making responsible decisions about Christmas critters can make this the best holiday season ever for pets and people alike!
1. Make sure your holiday tree is pet proof– Anchor your tree securely, and ensure that breakable ornaments, tinsel and ribbon are out of reach. These look like dangly toys to pets– especially cats– and if broken or eaten can cause injuries or illness.
2. Keep holiday houseplants high out of reach of curious pets-Many traditional festive plants are toxic, especially mistletoe and holly berries.
3. Never surprise anyone other than your own children with a live gift!– People receive many Christmas gifts they don’t really like, but a pet requires daily love and care, so it can’t be tucked away in a drawer like an ugly tie.
4. Choose to give an adoption gift certificate instead– This is perfect for people wishing to give the adoption of a pet to another family, allowing them to come to the shelter when they are ready to choose the perfect pet for their lifestyle.
5. Adopt a shelter pet for your own family– We encourage families who are considering acquiring a new animal this season to adopt a shelter pet this year, rather than buying one from a breeder or pet store. Nothing could be more rewarding for your family this holiday than giving the precious gift of life to a homeless animal. Santa’s little helpers will be on hand to help visitors find and adopt the perfect pet
Following these suggestions will help ensure that Thanksgiving and Christmas are happy and healthy for everyone, and your veterinarian will be thankful to have his or her holidays off too!
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