Caring for our pets during the festive season
Christmastime can be a very stressful time for our pets. All of a sudden, there are new odd smelling objects hung around the house, flashing lights, strange visitors in their space, and loud cracking sounds from the dinner table. Many of our furry friends thrive during the festive season with so many new friends to greet and tasty treats to try; but as owners, it’s important we stay mindful of our pets during this time.
Festive foods to watch out for
One of the highlights of this time of year is all the delicious food on offer, and our pets feel the same! However, it’s important to know what we should and should not be feeding them. When giving your pets treats from the Christmas dinner table, you should avoid things such as onions, leeks, stuffing, gravy, and cooked bones, trying instead, lean, boneless sections of turkey, plain broccoli, brussels, or green beans. Rabbits and guinea pigs can also get in on the action, enjoying treats such as uncooked cabbage, parsley, and carrots.
Keep out of paws reach
We should also be careful and consider where we place our festive treats, making sure they don’t get into the wrong paws! Things that can be nibbled on should be kept out of reach, such as decorations and exposed wires. Christmas plants such as poinsettias, holly, mistletoe and the Christmas tree itself may also be toxic to pets. In fact, vets see around a 70% rise in cases where owners are worried that their pets have eaten something dangerous at this time of year. So, keeping ornaments, food and plants out of curious mouths is very important.
Tips for darker evenings
Wintertime, although magical, can be a hazardous time for our pets. On icy days, it’s important to be mindful of the salt and grit on the roads. These are harmful to paws, so make sure to give them a wipe down after any trips outside. During the darker evening walks, it may also be a good idea to pop on a reflective coat and LED lights for your dog’s collar, this helps them stay visible and safe to others. It can also help you find them after they’ve ran off to sniff something interesting at the other end of the park!
Keeping your pets calm at Christmas
If you’re hosting gatherings over the festive period, it is key to keep an eye on your furry party guests. Giving them an escape from the festivities is one of the most important things. Parties can be very overstimulating for pets, so having a guest-free room for pets to escape to is ideal. Pop some of their favourite items in there, including some interactive toys such as a Kong for dogs, or ping pong balls for cats. Small creatures should also be considered, make sure to check up on them regularly and provide them with things to gnaw on!
Spending time with pets before a gathering is also important, such as playing with your cat or taking your dog out for a walk. This helps to ensure that their needs are met before festivities begin.
If you are particularly worried about your furry friend, calming products are a good route to go down. These aren’t designed to chill your pet out completely; they just take the edge off and should help the Christmas period go by a little smoother. These are also great to continue to use into the new year to help them cope a little better with the dreaded fireworks.
And lastly, don’t forget to leave them a gift under the tree!
Caring for your pets during the festive season…
Written by Beth Harrison, Pet Shop Assistant Manager and Pet Lover
