5 tips to help you prepare your pet for the holidays



As much as the holiday season can be fun and filled with precious moments, the following precautions are advised to make sure your pet is safe during this busy, and sometimes stressful season.

  

There may be celebrations where sparklers and fireworks are used, take time now to ensure you have enough medication for anxious pets during these times. Ensure a quiet and safe area away from noise, make sure this room is prepared ahead of time, there should be no glass, candles, wires, or potentially dangerous item that could be ingested or knocked over by your pet. Keep all lighting and wires taped out of reach.


If you are staying at home this holiday but maybe having guests over or parties, make sure your pet is prepared for this. Exercise your pets well before guests so their energy cannot build into anxiety. Ask guests to not feed your pets and to keep their food well out of the reach of your pets.

If your pets tend to jump up on tables or beg for food, make sure they have a room with their own food prepared so they do not interrupt or eat potentially dangerous food. If you have smaller ornaments or gifts set up for a particular celebration make sure they cannot be knocked over or broken or munched on. If you’re hosting a party make sure you and a good friend can break away to check on and reassure your pet in a separate room.



If your plans include going away make sure you adjust accordingly for your pet. If you plan on taking your pet with you, make sure your accommodation is pet friendly when you book. Make sure you have the necessary items to ensure a safe travel, leashes that attach to seatbelts for dogs, crates for smaller pets, proper hydration for them - either travel water bowls or icepacks for them to lick. Your pet should go the bathroom before you leave and a few times during your travels.

Ensure for anxious pets that their medication is taken an hour before travel. Your pet should be clearly identifiable with their tags attached to their collar and microchip details are up to date. Check with your vet that your pet is up to date with their vaccinations. Get a few toys to keep your pets engaged during the long travel.






If you’re unable to bring your pet with you and must book them into a kennel or cattery, research your nearest catteries and kennels and their rates. Your dog’s/cat’s cards with proof of their vaccinations and injections should be up to date, we especially recommend a vaccination for kennel cough for your dog.

Make sure you have enough of your pets’ medication for the time of their stay in the kennel/cattery. Check with the kennel or cattery if you can bring your pet’s toys, beds, and blankets to keep them comfortable during their stay. Check their pickup times so you know when to leave your holiday destination to avoid getting a fine or extra charge.








If the kennels/ catteries are out of your price range, you might need to look at getting a close friend to look after your pets or hiring a pet sitter to remain at your house and look after your pets. Make sure you hire a reputable pet sitter, with references, who you can introduce to your pet ahead of time to prevent the stress of a having a new caretaker so suddenly. Make sure your garden is safe for your pets, no tools laying around, no dangerous plants for your pets (lilies, avocados, aloes etc.), no holes in your fences or walls, and nothing laying around that could be dangerous for your pets to ingest or chew around. Bins should be firmly shut. 

Make sure your pets identification has the recent relevant information. Leave your contact details with the pet sitter in case of emergency and your nearest pet hospital / veterinary clinic and their hours.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Preparing for Fireworks and storms is crucial for your pet, act now don't delay!

Image
Festive season is approaching, and with it, the most stressful time of year for all pet owners. No, I’m not talking about the dreaded visit from the in laws, I’m talking about firework season. Add to that the summer storms that rattle the window frames, and it can be a very unpleasant time to be an unsuspecting animal. For those pets with known noise phobias, you may already have a plan in place for dealing with these events, but for first time pet owners or owners of new pets, it is easy to be caught unawares. If you are unsure about how your pet will react, it is better to be prepared. So, how do you know your pet is anxious? There are some obvious signs, like hiding away, urinating where they stand, whimpering, and shaking. There are also more subtle signs like tail tucking, flattening ears back, and salivating.  Your pet may display some or all of these signs, or other vague behavioural changes. If you are unsure, please speak to your vet. If you know that a big storm or a fi...
Read more

Outreach 2024

Image
Welcome to our ANNUAL OUTREACH PROJECT, an initiative dedicated to the support of organisations who rescue, care for and rehome vulnerable pets. This outreach project aims to be a beacon of hope to those who strive for change through care, commitment and compassion every day. Your donation of R30 (or more) can make a difference! Paw Prints Rescue and Rehoming Persian Cat Rescue Durban PACT Safe Foster Network Our reception staff will be happy to accept your donation when you visit the practice. You can then personally place your donation sticker on our wall in the waiting area. Westville Veterinary Hospital Bank : ABSA Account number : 93 7167 9078 Branch Code : 632005 IMPORTANT! Please be sure to use this reference: WV_43052  please send a proof of payment to reception@westvet.co.za The team at  Westville Veterinary Hospital  thank you for your support.
Read more

Cancer and your pet ... what you need to know!

Image
Introduction: Let’s talk about the “C”-word…Cancer. Not an easy subject to broach, and equally difficult to talk about. Let’s be honest, most of us would be horrified to hear that our pet has received this diagnosis.  Most people will have some sort of experience with cancer, whether personally, or through a friend or family member. This experience likely leaves us with a very specific and subjective impression of what a diagnosis of cancer means, and also the effects of the treatment process and its financial, emotional and physical cost. This said, I would like to try to give some facts about this disease, and to offer some helpful information regarding its diagnosis and treatment in our pets. Prevalence of cancer in pets: It has been my experience over the years that cancers of various kinds are increasing in prevalence in the pet population. In fact, it may be that almost 50% of dogs over the age of 10 years could develop some form of cancer, thus constituting a major cause of ...
Read more