Here come the holidays

Turkeys and Snow!

As we begin to head into the holidays, there are several things to consider during this time for our pets. This includes: boarding or pet sitters if you head out of town, what food and plants are in the home for special occasions, and the ever changing weather. 

When it comes to the holidays, we want our pets to feel safe and secure. While we are traveling. Some pets are comfortable with boarding at a facility whereas others are more comfortable with a pet sitter coming to the home to take care of them either a couple times a day or staying with them overnight. The way you decide to do this with be what works best for you and what makes your pet the most comfortable. When looking for a facility to board at, these are the things you should know: for dogs you will need to be up-to-date on Rabies, Distemper/Parvo, and Bordetella vaccinations, for cats you will need at least Rabies and Feline Distemper up-to-date, and you will also want to think about your dog's or cat's temperament and personality to choose the best type of facility for them (whether it be more of an open facility, i.e. cage-free, or somewhere that takes them out to play in a yard or on walks multiple times a day, has lots of cat trees and toys, etc.). Pet sitters can be a very good option for those pets that have anxiety or don't do well outside of their home environment. There are many different types of pet sitters so knowing what your pet's needs are is a huge part of choosing the best person to care for your fur babies while you are away. 

Keep an eye on the table! During the holidays, make sure to watch what your pets are picking up ​under the dinner table or in the kitchen. Around the holidays is one of the busiest times for veterinary clinics due to pets eating things they shouldn't. Turkey bones getting stuck to toxic food such as garlic and onions can land a pet in the vet around the holidays.

As it gets colder, be aware that pets can get cold and potentially get hypothermia if left outside too long. If they are going to be outside in freezing weather, make sure they have some sort of dog house or kennel that will allow them to shield themselves from the cold. Another thing to consider is when you take them out for walks, if it is cold enough that you want to bundle up and wear a coat, hat and gloves, it is probably cold enough that they could get frost bite on their paws if they are out for too long. 

Overall, around the holidays when boarding find a good facility to match your pets needs, keep an extra eye out to make sure your pets are not getting into anything they shouldn't and help them stay warm in the freezing weather. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of this information or anything else you may have thought of, let us know! Our number is 801-782-4401 and we are always happy to answer any questions you may have. 
​Enjoy the holidays!