Thanksgiving, Christmas, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Hannukah… there are lots of holidays around this time of year. It’s a great time to be with family and friends, and of course our pets are both. While the season is a time for enjoyment, we should remember that sometimes the things that are fun for us might upset our fur babies. The decision to keep a pet at home, board them at a hospital or pet hotel, or travel with them is an important one. Here are some tips for all three options:
1. Pets at Home
Celebrations bring lots of new people, changes to routine, and strange noises, all of which can stress out our pets. The most important thing is to keep pets in their normal routine as much as possible. Make sure your pet has a room away from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, curious children, and the busy front room. If you do want to let your dog or cat out for short visits, make sure they are constantly supervised. It’s easy for a pet to get stepped on, for them to run out the door, or for someone to get hurt in the general chaos. If you have a cat, they should be kept indoors, and dogs should be supervised and on a leash while outside- it’s all too easy for pets to escape or get hit by cars. Finally, as tempting as it may be to give pets some holiday food as a treat, many foods we enjoy, such as chocolate, coffee, nuts, and spices can poison your pet or upset their stomach. Nothing brings down the holiday mood quite like an emergency vet visit.
2. Boarding
Boarding or having a pet sitter watch your fuzzy friend is a good way to help your pet avoid being overwhelmed by holiday festivities. Most boarding facilities and hospitals require your pet to have a current annual exam, negative fecal test, and updated vaccines, so this is a good time to check with your vet to make sure your pet is okay to board. After all, you don’t want your pet to come back with a disease or fleas as a holiday gift! Here at Amigo Animal Hospital, we offer boarding. If you’re interested, let our staff know! If you have your fur baby stay with a pet sitter, make sure you have a form or a letter with your signature authorizing your sitter to take your pet to the veterinarian in an emergency. Be sure to have more than enough of your pet’s food and medicine when you drop them off- layovers and delays happen when you’re travelling. And while we may like to stuff our suitcases for a holiday trip, your sitter or boarding location will appreciate it if you pack light- food, medication, and a favorite toy or blanket. The less you pack, the less there is that may get lost in the holiday shuffle.
3. Travelling with your pet
Some people (and pets) enjoy travel, and if you choose to travel together, there are some important things to remember. First, make sure your pet is a good traveler. If the trip will stress your pet out, consider boarding or a pet sitter. If your pet will be travelling out of the country or state, check and see if a health certificate is required. Most vets that do health certificates require an appointment two weeks in advance to process the paperwork, so be sure to schedule an appointment ahead of time. If you are travelling by air, make sure your pet’s carrier meets the airline’s requirements. For any travel, remember to have more than enough food and medication on hand in case of delays, and bring a copy of your pet’s vaccination records in case of emergency. If you think your pet might get anxious, ask your vet ahead of time to prescribe tranquilizers, or consider one of the many over- the- counter options for helping your pet stay calm.
If you follow these tips, you can help your family, furry members included, have a safe and happy holiday. Be sure to check in next month when we talk about toys and gifts for your pet.