Along with joy and cheer, the holiday season may bring a number of household threats to a family dog or cat. As you shop for all the presents and goodies for loved ones, be sure to include a few natural pet products in the form of treats, so that your pets don’t feel endangered by all the commotion of the season. Fido and Fluffy will probably be curious about changes in the house – like decorations and gift packages. It might not be a bad idea to keep some herbal tinctures readily available in the event of injuries or accidents. Paying special attention to your four-legged family members will help keep them safe and healthy.
As with children, new sights, sounds and aromas intrigue cats and dogs, so it’s just as important to pet-proof your house as it is to child-proof it. Be sure to keep items like dangling ornaments, tinsel, decorative plants and snack plates out of reach. This is particularly important when it comes to food.
With potential issues that range from a queasy stomach to something much more serious, it is important to be aware of what’s going in your dog or cat’s mouth. Inform dinner guests not to give food to Rover from the table, particularly foods such as chicken, steak or ham bones that can splinter and lodge in the throat, stomach or digestive tract. Research has also shown that intake of onions and garlic may have significant medical side effects for animals.
Foods that may cause considerable sickness or death include grapes, chocolates, raisins, bread dough and certain types of nuts like macadamias and walnuts. Keep a close eye on what foods are within reach, and stay updated on new items that might have been added to the list of possibly harmful foods since the last time you checked. You’ll probably be surprised at how many common human foods are potentially fatal for your cherished pets. Ask your guests to limit treats to the ones that you provide.
In addition to food, house guests may also bring dangers into your house in the form of medicines, unique gift plants, possibly harmful toys, or sacks of candy that may be left in a guest bedroom unmonitored – and are also tempting to a cat or dog. Be sure to keep guest-room doorways shut or set potentially hurtful presents well out of your pets’ reach.
Taking preventative steps before the holidays can benefit pets by making them strong and healthy; giving them the best quality pet food made from natural ingredients is an excellent starting point. Also, supplementing their diet with herbal tinctures to strengthen both their immune and digestive systems creates a solid foundation for staying safe, healthy and happy during the holidays.
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