The holiday season is upon us, and while you might start to get flooded with activities, don’t forget about your furrier family members. Pet care is even more essential during this frantic time of the year. Your home and schedule are in flux, and it can cause all kinds of confusion for these guys. Help keep them protected by following the tips laid out below. 

How to Maintain Pet Care Over the Holiday Season

1. Secure & Demystify the Tree

Christmas trees are like a bright, giant beacon begging your pets for attention. To make it less dazzling, avoid using tinsel, long ribbons, or low-hanging ornaments. Also, because it is still a new plaything in the mind of your animal, use fishing wire to anchor the tree to the nearest wall and ceiling to prevent it from toppling over. 

2. Watch Out for Harmful Plants

While many of the natural home-holiday decorations are pretty, they are also harmful to your pets. If ingested, holly can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and mistletoe can lead to a host of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular problems. The popular poinsettia can sometimes cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, or dermal irritation in pets. 

3. Avoid Dangerous Foods

An important part of pet care is monitoring what your animal eats. This shouldn’t change during the holiday season. Though it might be tempting to share your delicious treats with them, especially when they are giving you the big sad eyes, don’t. Instead, pick up some safe holiday snacks for them to enjoy. Also, when entertaining guests make sure they know not to give your cat or dog anything off their plate and to keep an eye on unattended food. 

4. Set Up a Safe Place

It can get hectic around the holidays, and this can be stressful for your pet. Help keep them calm by setting up an area in a quiet room for them to hide away from strangers and all the excitement. Use familiar blankets and toys to assure them it is a safe place.

5. Cover the Tree Bottom

The standing water under your tree might look normal to your pet, but it’s actually home to bacteria that could get them sick. Prevent them from drinking this liquid by either placing the tree in a box-like base or keeping it covered with a secured skirt. 

Another way to see to your animal’s pet care is to bring them to Shar-Jo's Pet Styling & In-Home Pet Sitting in Milford, OH, for holiday grooming. They offer a variety of pet grooming services to keep your dog or cat looking and feeling their best. You can also rely on their educated and experienced staff to care for your animal anytime you have to go out of town. Call them today at (513) 831-9457 to schedule an appointment with one of their groomers or sitters. You can also visit their website to learn more about their services.