There are few things more beautiful and heartwarming than a house full of family, friends, decorations, yummy foods and a wave of holiday cheer. However, Fluffy and Mr. Whiskers might disagree. For some animals, Thanksgiving is nothing short of stressful chaos where they will have a hard time adjusting to a sudden influx of excited people.
In addition, there are a number of ways you might need to take extra care of your pet’s safety in the hustle bustle of the holiday, especially if you are new to pet parenting. Let’s take a look at five tips that will help you make this Thanksgiving a much safer and healthier experience for your best friend
1. Be prepared for the begging
With the holidays approaching, your cat or dog will definitely beg you to let them be part of the big turkey dinner, but you should know better than to give in to those puppy-dog eyes. Remember that not all human foods work for pets, which is why you will need to keep an eye out for any dangers they stumble upon.
Make sure to clearly let your guests know that your pet is not to be fed random stuff. Lay out firm ground rules or completely forbid them to avoid any type of negligence that could risk your dog or cat’s health. If your pet ingests anything unsafe, make sure to contact your vet immediately. If they are away for the holidays, there should be an emergency contact on the office voicemail.
2. Know which holidays food are and aren't safe
When it comes to Thanksgiving foods, here’s what you should and shouldn’t feed your pet:
Yes
No
3. Choose Healthy Treats
If you are expecting the whole family over and know you won’t get the time to supervise your pet properly, then a good idea is to offer them healthy treats that will keep them occupied and full. A good option to feed your pet during the holiday season and beyond, are treats that are 100 per cent natural and made from only a few ingredients like real fruits and vegetables with no added preservatives or sugar.
4. Minimize pet stress
Thanksgiving can be an overwhelming experience for your fur baby, especially if it will be their first time. Take some time to introduce your family members and friends to your pet and give them a little space to bond. If your dog or cat is still nervous or aggressive around people, put him/her in a quiet room or in a crate with their favorite toy. This will help them overcome any emotional stress and also protect our guests from possible distress or injuries. There are a number of homeopathic treatments for pets that are known to calm dogs and cats, such as Thunderspray. If your pet is especially upset by the guests, a trip to the vet might help figure out the reason behind their behaviour.
5. Watch Out For the Holiday Decorations
Special Thanksgiving centerpieces or candles are pretty attractive to pets as well as people. However, pets are more curious than people, thus they call for extra care and attention. Make sure you never leave your pet alone in a spot that has a lit candle. Moreover, keep them away from decoration pieces such as needles, pine cones, and other stuff that can result in the internal blockage or even perforate their intestine if consumed
The holidays are, after all, about spending time with your loved ones. You can involve your pet in the celebration by keeping his or her safety in mind. Your beloved animal will be quite happy about it.
Bio: Brandi Marcene is a writer based in the U.S. with close to a decade's worth of experience. She has written extensively on pets, including authoring several eBooks and blogs on training and communicating with dogs.
*Bernard and Kitty's Waggy Tales articles are for information purposes only and are neither intended as, nor should be substituted for professional advice, or the treatment or diagnosis of any health conditions. Information that is provided in this blog is intended for general knowledge: consult your veterinarian if you have questions about caring for your animal, or about your animal’s health or condition.
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