As you enjoy all of the wonderful things that the season has to offer, take a moment to make sure that your pet also has a safe and stress-free holiday. Whether you are staying close to home or hitting the road, Puppy Travel and PetTravel.com know just what you need to do to make your days merry and bright!

IN THE HOUSE

• Be careful with holiday decorations, including common yuletide plants, tree ornaments, and Hanukkah candles. Ingestion of items such as these can cause choking, intestinal problems, or even death.
• Make sure that as your animal romps through the house that there is no exposed wiring on which to chew or any leftover wrapping materials such as bows or curling ribbon that could cause a problem.
• Because crowds and holiday festivities can frighten animals, plan ahead by preparing a quiet place for your pet to enjoy the party.
• Do not stuff your pet with the holiday leftovers. While some foods such as poultry bones or chocolate are obvious no-nos, even a small change in diet can cause digestive problems for your pet.
• Place your Christmas tree in a flat, wide base and anchor the tree so that curious animals cannot tip it over. Decorations should be pet-friendly (dried flowers, pine cones, fabric or wood ornaments) and you may even consider putting the tree in a room with doors that close.

Also, there is a common misconception that dogs will be "fine" if left outside. This is not true! All pets need adequate shelter from the elements and insulation against cold weather; like humans they can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite. Puppies and senior pets are especially at risk and the tips of the ears of all animals are particularly susceptible to frostbite.


AWAY FROM HOME

Food and Water: As always, pack your pet’s normal food to take on the trip. A change in diet can cause complications. Fresh water is a must at all times! Pets are not able to get enough water from licking ice or eating snow.

Foot Care: Many dogs (regardless of coat length) need boots in cold weather, and you need to get them used to the boots before you start your trip. When your dog frequently lifts up his paws, whines, chews on his paws or stops as he is walking, his feet are uncomfortably cold. Pets, especially those with lots of fur on their paws, frequently get ice-balls between the pads and toes of the feet. Once ice-balls form, they are very painful - much like walking on rocks. To help prevent ice-balls, trim the hair around your dog's feet. Apply a small amount of Vaseline©, cooking oil, or PAM© spray to your dog's feet before taking him for a walk. Make sure you use oil that can be eaten, as most dogs lick at their paws.

Salt & Chemical De-Icers: Pets who walk on sidewalks that have been "de-iced" are prone to dry, chapped, and potentially painful paws. This will encourage them to lick their paws, and ingestion may cause gastrointestinal irritation and upset. Wash your pet's feet with a warm wet cloth or footbath after each outing.

Frozen Lakes & Ponds: Pets are like young children - they don't realize what "thin ice" is. Once they fall in, it is very difficult for them to climb out and hypothermia is a very real and life-threatening danger.

Antifreeze Danger: Antifreeze can collect on driveways or in your garage and your curious pets will lap it up. Just a few licks can be fatal. Get your pet to the vet right away if this happens.

Watch out for the Cat under the Hood: Cats will seek warmth where they can get it, and that may be near the warm engine of a car that was just parked. Before starting your car, knock on the hood or honk the horn to scare off any cats - and prevent tragedy.

Senior Pets and Arthritic Animals: Just like us, arthritis in animals is worse during cold and damp weather. Take special care to handle your pet gently, watch out for icy walks, provide soft (and possibly heated) bedding, and administer any necessary medications.

Outerwear: Pet boots are a real necessity if you are taking your dog for a romp in the snow. Dogs with very short coats should not go outside without a sweater or a coat except for very short periods of time. Just as you would not go on a ski trip without getting some ski clothes, you need to prepare your pets “wardrobe” as well. Visit www.classypets.com for the items you need such as sweaters, coats, pet boots, heated beds and more.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!

Although some pets may enjoy a gift like the hottest new gadget around – the Bow-Lingual™ dog translator from Takara, or cuddling up by the fire as you read to them from our new favorite book, Dog is my Co-Pilot, most will enjoy the simpler things in life. But does your dog’s favorite holiday present always seem to be your new slippers? Toys are the perfect way to help your dog combat feelings of confinement, boredom, and isolation that can lead to destructive behavior such as digging and chewing. But how do you know just what to choose?

It is important that your dog have a toy that is right for him. Size is one of the most important things to consider. The toy that your dog loved as a puppy may now be too small. Also, is your dog playing with a ball or other toy that is too small and could pose a choking hazard? Discard any toy that is broken or seems dangerous.

Your pet likes variety just as much as you do. Rotate his toys so that you can keep things interesting for your pet. Of course, if he has a favorite, let him enjoy it all the time.

The material from which the toy is made is also an important consideration. As you observe your dog’s chewing habits, note how aggressive he is and purchase the kind of toy that will best meet his needs. For example, aggressive chewers should only have durable hard rubber or nylon toys, while semi-aggressive chewers should have canvas, plush, fleece, or rope toys. Non-aggressive or very light chewers might enjoy vinyl or latex toys that come in all shapes and sizes and are sometimes accompanied by a squeaking noise to make things more interesting.

As you watch your pet with his new toy, watch for signs of destructive behavior. It is important to take the toy away if it looks like the toy could come apart and turn into small pieces that your dog could swallow or choke on.

A fun toy makes the perfect holiday gift for your dog. Just make sure that you investigate all the possibilities and pick the perfect one for your pet.