Enjoy a stress-free Holiday with these simple tips 

Pet Winter Safety Tips

• Leave your dog’s fur longer during the winter to keep them warm. If you have a puppy, kitten, or a shorthair-breed pet, consider purchasing a coat or sweater to cover their back and underside — fleece is a great option!
• The cold snow and ice can be a pain in the paw. Make sure to wash and completely dry your pet’s paws after time outside (especially if they came in contact with any salt or chemical de-icer). Look out for snow and encrusted ice that can cause cracked, bleeding paws. If you notice any bleeding, call your veterinarian. Petroleum jelly is a safe way to protect those paws—you can also look into dog boots.
• In the cold winter, your pet will burn more calories to keep warm. If your pet exercises outdoors a lot, think about increasing their food intake by a little bit. You should be able to feel, but not see, your pet’s ribs.
• A change in season can result in a dramatically different exercise schedule and therefore a corresponding change in the number of calories your pet needs to consume. It takes more energy in cold weather to keep your body temperature regulated, so sometimes additional calories are necessary. For example, if you spend more time outside with your dog walking in the cooler weather, your pet may need more food. Similarly, if your dog spends some time in an outside run or kennel with falling temperatures, they may need more food. However, if you and your pet are spending more time curled up by a warm fire and are only playing indoor games of fetch, they may require less food.
• Keeping walkways walkable and driveways drivable in the winter often requires the use of salt or chemical de-icers which are poisonous to pets. Try to avoid contact with de-icers when with your pet, and wipe them down with a wet towel then completely dry them off after outside play to remove any chemicals they could’ve come in contact with. Remember, if you’re putting antifreeze in your car, use a pet-friendly or propylene glycol option.
• While many pets have fur to protect them from the cold, dogs and cats need plenty of time to acclimate to the colder weather. Keep your pets indoors as much as possible, especially cats and small, sick, or short-haired dogs. Winter is a great time to look into indoor training or obedience classes, like agility and flyball, so your dog can get plenty of mental and physical exercise. 
• Just like when it’s hot out, don’t leave your pet in your car when it’s particularly cold out. Your car can act like a refrigerator as it holds in the cold. When in doubt, leave your pet at home when you know you’ll have to leave them unattended in the car.
• If it’s not too cold out for you, your dog can get some aerobic exercise outside that will also keep them warm. Walking in wooded areas is a good way to protect them from chilly wind gusts. If it’s too cold, entice them to exercise indoors with tug-of-war, fetch, or a playdate with another pet-friend.
• Dogs get dry, flaky skin in the winter just like humans do. Use a humidifier and provide plenty of drinking water in your home — your pet’s skin will thank you. Bathe your pet less frequently and make sure to completely dry them after baths. Brushing their coat stimulates blood circulation and can help improve the overall condition of their skin.

 

 
Pet Holiday Safety Tips

• It doesn’t take much for a climbing cat or excited dog to knock your Christmas tree over, so make sure to secure your tree. To prevent Christmastime calamity, be mindful of:

o   Tree water – Use a tight-fitting tree skirt to restrict your pet’s access to the tree’s water because it can be harmful to drink, and can contribute to a tipped tree. If you choose to add chemicals to the tree’s water to keep it fresh longer, make sure the label says it is safe for pets.
o   Tinsel – Pets love the shiny excitement that is tinsel, especially cats. Keep tinsel out of reach of both cats and dogs because it can cause serious intestinal obstructions.
o   Ornaments – Hang any small or fragile ornaments high enough that they won’t break with a wag of a tail or swipe of a paw. Refrain from using edible ornaments.
o   Pine needles – Clean up fallen pine needles frequently because they can upset your pet’s stomach if consumed.
o   Strings of lights – Keep your pets from chewing on holiday lights by tucking cords out of their reach, or using a grounded three-prong extension cord.

• Snow globes can contain ethylene glycol (antifreeze). If you drop and break one, they can cause a lot of harm, especially to your small dog, puppy, or cat. If they lick up the liquid, immediately go to the closest emergency veterinary hospital!
• Decking the halls with boughs of holly (and mistletoe) helps bring the holiday spirit into your home, but if your pet ingests any of these plants, they can get very sick. Keep these holiday plants away from paws’ reach, or opt for artificial plants instead. Myth busting: While poinsettias are not deadly, they can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
• It’s best to keep your cat or dog on their regular diet during the holidays. Some popular holiday foods are especially dangerous to your pet. If you want to give your pet a little something special for a holiday meal, mix some pet-safe human food in with their regular meal. Check with your veterinarian for what foods are safe for your pet.
• Keep away from pets:

o    Chocolate, candy, sweets
o    Fatty food like gravy
o    Spicy food
o    Cooked bones
o    Alcoholic beverages

• Keep Menorah and other holiday decorative candles far enough away from pets that they can’t knock them over—no one wants their home to go up in flames during the holidays. In some circumstances, you could also opt for electric candles instead; many flameless candles flicker just like the real thing, but without the fire risk.
• Fireworks, poppers, and champagne make for an exciting New Year celebration for humans, but your pet might feel otherwise. The loud noises can frighten dogs and cats. Keep them relaxed by providing a quiet room with a fan, TV, or music playing to create white noise. Remember to clean up confetti before your pet decides it looks like a good snack and ends up with an unpleasant stomach issue.
• Lots of unfamiliar faces and loud talking and laughter can stress out your pet. Exercise your dog beforehand and give them a special chew toy to keep them distracted. If they still seem stressed, put them in a quiet room away from all of the commotion—cats will probably hide all on their own.

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