The colors change, the temperature drops and families gather each November and December to celebrate the special holidays and occasions the season brings. While in the midst of carving the turkey or going on a gift-shopping spree, there are a few things to remember so that the furry members of your family are included in the spirit of the season.

Keep your pets safe as the temperature drops 
 
While dogs have protective fur coats, the extreme cold temperatures of winter take a little getting used to. Pets should not be left outdoors for long periods of time in freezing temperatures. They need time to acclimate to build a thicker coat and toughen up their footpads. Breeds with short coats, should wear a sweater or jacket when taken outside for walks during fall. After walking on sidewalks that have been salted for snow, make sure to wash all dogs’ paws, as the salt can be drying and irritating to their skin. 

Most pets are less active during the winter, and do not require as much play time as they do during the warmer months. Make sure to pay attention to your pet’s moods and signals. If you see signs such as shivering, whining or general discomfort, move your pooch to a warm place until they calm down. Also, since Fido is a little less frisky when the temperature drops, you may need to adjust his or her diet. Talk to your veterinarian about portion control for your pup. 

There are also some doggie food/eating hazards to be watchful of during the holidays. First, make sure your pup doesn’t ingest any anti-freeze. The sweet smell of anti-freeze and taste makes it seem like a lickable liquid to dogs, but can cause kidney failure. If your animal ingests anti-freeze, take them to a vet as soon as possible. In addition, holiday decorations may seem like good chew toys to your dog. Keep all decorations that could be hazardous to your pet out of reach, as well as, holiday plants, trees, lights and chocolate treats. While these are festive for owners, they can be dangerous and even deadly to your furry friends. Move your pet to a safe space during parties or events where food scraps, decorations or drinks could be spilled and be a picked up by your pet. 

Contrary to common thought, do not give your dog the leftover bones from your meal. Turkey, ham and hen bones can break and splinter and damage dog’s digestive tract. Stick to rawhides and bones from your local pet store to keep your pooch happy and healthy during the holidays.

Plan ahead if you are going out of town for the holidays, and make sure to find a good sitter or boarding house for your pet. If you plan to take your dog with you, make sure you have the right carriers and travel gear for your pet when packing the car or buying plane tickets. It always nice to have your pets with you, but consider all facts such as allergies, safety and comfort when taking your pet out of their usual home environment. Pet sitters are a great option to allow you to travel and your pet to be safe and comfortable.

Gifts for Fido

Most owners feel like their dogs are an important part of the family. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure that they feel special and loved during the season. Plan to include your pet in the holiday fun by hanging a stocking by the fireplace with their name or wrapping a few treats.

Many pet stores carry cute holiday themed chew toys, treats and biscuits for dogs. Perhaps you want to keep your pooch in style and warm with a seasonal coat or doggie boots. Stores such as Petsmart and Target now carry a good amount of doggie duds and even some Santa costumes and holiday gear.

Another idea that is always a hit is to make photo Christmas cards featuring your pup. Check with local photographers or you can do it yourself with the aid of photo-printing sites such as snapfish.com or shutterfly.com.

During the hustle and bustle of the season, just make sure to take a little time and consider your furry family members and take their safety, health and happiness into consideration. Happy pets make great companions and are great little heaters on cold winter nights.

By Lori Bartlett