In The News
Prepping your pets for holiday guests
Increased activity and visitors during the winter holiday season can upset your pet's routine and amplify stress. While cats and dogs are social animals, they may react differently to something out of the ordinary.
Here are some tips for when you invite company over for the holidays:
- Try to keep your pet on its regular schedule for food and exercise and be sure it gets more love from you than treats.
- A tired dog is a good dog. Before guests arrive for holiday festivities, walk your dog or play fetch to help your pup relieve excess energy. A one or two mile walk or 30 minutes of playing fetch will generally result in your dog taking a nap, just as guests arrive.
- Keep dogs occupied with their own gifts—the Buster Cube, for instance, is nearly indestructible and will distract your dogs for long periods of time.
- Keep the liquids flowing! When pets are stressed, they typically pant more. Keep lots of fresh water readily available for them to drink.
- Caution all guests, both kids and adults, not to give your pets anything except their normal food and treats.
- Provide a quiet room where your cat or dog can escape the holiday festivities. Stick a "do not disturb" sign on the door. Turn on a radio or TV to drown out noise. Make sure to include their food, water, a chew toy and favorite scratching post or bed.
- Consider crating your pet to give them their own space. Place the crate in a corner of the room out of the traffic flow. By having your pet in the same room, but "protected" in their crate, they can feel a part of the festivities, but secure in their environment.
- Make sure all pets have collars with current ID tags and information in case they decide to dart out the door when guests arrive/depart your home.
- If you are planning to travel with your pet, be sure to contact your friends and family in advance to find out if your pet is welcome. Due to excitement during the holidays, it might be best for you to board your pet or hire a reputable pet sitter.
Links
For Bitter Apple Spray click here.
For Buster Cube click here.
Did you miss IVEC's FOX59 segment on pet safety during the holidays? click here.
Read more about IVEC's Canine & Feline Blood Donor Program and other animal blood banks in the December issue of Tails, Inc. here. Check your local Indianapolis pet retailer for a hard copy!
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