Your pet deserves the very best care. During the holiday season, pet health takes on an even greater importance because several risk factors may present themselves to your furry friends. The veterinarians at Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital provide top-notch animal care year round, and they have some valuable insight into taking extra special care of your pets during winter.

It centers mainly on keeping pets away from some of the holiday season’s most common items: certain foods, plants, and even decorations can all pose a threat.

3 Ways to Maintain Pet Health During The Holidays

1. Watch The Treats

Holiday sweets may taste great to you, but they don’t do anything for your pet. Avoid chocolate, xylitol-based sweets, spicy foods, anything fatty, foods with bones, and alcohol; all these can make your pet extremely ill.

2. Maintain Your Home

Your home is all decked out for the season, and proper animal care dictates that you should be aware of certain risk factors. A Christmas tree, for example, should be securely set so that there’s no risk of it falling and potentially injuring your pet. Keep tinsel out of their reach—some pets see it as a toy and may ingest some accidentally, which could be harmful. In the same vein, try artificial plants instead of potentially dangerous mistletoe or holly.

3. Party With Caution

A noisy crowd can be overwhelming for a pet. Provide your animal with a quiet, private space in the house, and leave water and food as needed. Be aware that loud sounds can also aggravate or scare pets, so keep them in an area where noises are minimized.

The best veterinarians in town are no stranger to promoting excellent pet health services and animal care. During the holiday season, it’s important to go the extra mile for your pet—and, if you ever have an emergency, there’s someone available at Waipahu Waikele Pet Hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information on their pet services, or to schedule an appointment, visit the veterinary hospital’s website, or call (808) 671-7387.