“November is the month to remind us to be thankful for the many positive things happening in our life.”
As the holidays near and the weather gets cooler, there are a few things to remember to help out your pet’s.
Make sure you have a place for your pets to stay warm and cozy. Be mindful of fireplaces and space heaters. We don’t want anyone getting burned while trying to stay warm. If you do have a fireplace, use a safety screen to prevent your pets (and humans) from being able to get to close to the flames. Make sure you provide any outdoor pets with proper insulation and shelter for those cooler nights.
Your pets still need regular exercise to stay healthy during the cooler months. Rather it be an outdoor walk or indoor play, keep them moving! There are some great indoor activities available to stimulate your pet mentally and physically. Puzzles, toys and interactive games are a great way to have some indoor fun! Make them work for that treat!
Depending on your pet’s breed, you may need to adjust their grooming routines. No more “summer cuts” in the winter. Some cats and dogs may benefit from longer coats in the winter but make sure you keep them clean, brushed and trimmed as to avoid any matting.
Thanksgiving! Get ready for turkey and dressing with all the fixins! We get to eat all the things on this one special day but try to abstain from feeding these things to your pets. Fatty and seasoned food can be harmful to pets and cause an array of problems! Remind your friends and family not the feed the four-legged family members.
Tips from Dr. B:
If you want your pet to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with you, stick to bland foods. Pumpkin, boiled potatoes (not the creamy, buttery mashed potatoes), lean unseasoned meat. Pancreatitis is a top illness during the holidays.
With the holidays comes travel time. If you plan to travel with your pet, make sure you bring an extra few days of food and medications just in case. Also, have access to your pet’s medical records just in case you need to visit a different vet while on the road. If your pet is anxious in the car, give us a call and we can give you some helpful travel tips.
Happy Thanksgiving from the WVH family to yours!
