 The Pet Maven Wishes You and Your Pets a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that brings families and friends together to enjoy great company and great food!
In the hustle of the holidays, however, it's wise to remember our little fur friends, and to keep them safe from harm. A little foresight can keep your critters safe and healthy amidst the holiday bustle! Just remember to check the Four Fs - Flora, Fauna, Food, and Friends & Family! Flora: Be aware of potentially hazardous plants, the most common are Poinsettias and Mistletoe, but even dried flowers or fancy bows on our holiday bouquets can be harmful to a curious pet. Make sure all plants and their wrappings are up and out of reach. And, if you have a particularly tenacious cat who will leap on top of the tallest cupboard, put the flowers in the closet when you have to leave the room for any length of time. Fauna: Plan ahead! If your Auntie Murgatroyd wants to bring her dog along for the day, make sure you have a special area where you can keep her pet (or yours) sequestered. Even normally good-natured animals can behave badly if they're stressed. Make sure to have a kennel or a quiet room set aside if one of the animals gets over-stimulated and starts acting out. Food: It's easy to over-indulge on Thanksgiving; even the most stalwart stomachs can become upset after that third helping of "seconds." Our pets have a lot more sensitive stomachs than most people realize, and it's important to make sure your guests (and you) aren't slipping them too many samples of people-food. The high fat and sugar content of many holiday foods can be dangerous to your pets. Even popular holiday spices such as sage are incredibly dangerous to pets. Make sure your guests know not to slip your pets treats under the table, and make sure you resist that urge too! Opt instead for a special treat made just for pets, that way they can celebrate safely. Friends and Family: Keep an eye on guests, especially children, and how they interact with your pets. People who aren't pet owners themselves might not realize that uninvited attention from strangers can be frightening to pets. If you have an animal who is prone to snapping or scratching, be sure to ask guests to not handle that pet. Better yet, sequester a touchy pet in a spare bedroom with a comfy bed and some food and water. They'll appreciate being away from the bustle. Here are some excellent sources where you can learn more about holiday pet safety! | 
