Thanksgiving Pet Care

Thanksgiving isn’t typically a holiday that you think you need to worry about your pets, unlike say, Halloween or the Fourth of July. Though there isn’t much around to scare a pet (unless you have a lot of family ringing the doorbell!), there are hazards readily available that you might not even give a second thought to.

Last year I provided a bunch of tips that included info on feeding dogs bones and table scraps, which many people know about, to lesser known issues like hidden toothpicks and skewers that dogs can easily choke on.

Another thing that occurred to me last year is that if you have an influx of people visiting you for the holiday, consider keeping your pets in a separate room away from the commotion and especially from the front door (similar to Halloween and trick-or-treaters). Many extended family members won’t know that Fluffy isn’t allowed outside, or that Spot bolts for an open door, so be proactive and avoid the issue entirely.

When we have family or friends over for a large gathering, the cats and the dogs (with the dogs in their crate) go into one of my kids’ bedrooms. It’s an environment they know and are comfortable in, and it’s the furthest from the front door and even the bathroom, so they won’t get stressed out from noise they’re not used to (and they won’t be “played with” by younger kids). I tape a hand-written sign to the bedroom door saying “Animals Inside, Do Not Open,” and thankfully, we’ve yet to have a problem!

If you’re the one doing the traveling this year, and you plan to bring your pet(s) with you, always check with your hosts first to make sure it’s ok — not everyone is a pet person and just showing up with them in tow could make for an awkward (and possibly resentment-filled) stay.

[image: flickr]