The holidays are a joyous but chaotic time. To ensure a healthy and happy season for everyone, make sure any changes to your home life and schedule don’t harm the well-being of your four-legged friends. Instead, follow these veterinarian-recommended tips for the holidays.

How to Keep Your Pets Healthy This Season

1. Keep Food Out of Reach

Though it might be tempting to share your favorite holiday recipe with your animals, many rich holiday goodies aren’t easily digestible for pets. If you’re hosting a get-together, ensure that leftovers are out of reach. Chocolate, turkey bones, and foods with garlic and onion are especially dangerous.

2. Avoid Toxic Plants

While they might look beautiful, pet owners should avoid holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias. When ingested by your curious dog or feline, these plants can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian right away.

3. Be Careful With Lights

Colorful lights look dazzling during the holiday season, but when chewed, they can result in a potentially fatal electric shock. Keep cords away from the reach of any household animals. Also, be sure that you keep an eye on any burning candles. Pets can mistakenly bump into them or the furniture on which they’re situated.

4. Protect Your Tree

If you put up a tree, place it against a wall or in a corner, if possible. This will help to restrict your pet’s access to it. Be sure to invest in a sturdy base which can’t be knocked over easily. Try to discourage drinking tree water, but avoid chemical additives just in case. Ornaments should also be kept as high on the tree as possible if pets are inclined to chew on or play with them.

5. Make a Comfortable Space

It can become especially hectic around the holidays, especially if you’re hosting a celebration. Be sure that your pet has a calm area to escape from strangers that contains some of their favorite toys, food, and water.

If you’re a pet owner in the Lincoln, NE, area seeking a veterinarian’s office for your animals, look no further than Parkview Animal Hospital. This trusted team has been serving the community with routine checkups, surgeries, and other pet care services since 1983. Learn more about their offerings by visiting their website. Or call (402) 423-6939 to speak with a staff member.