The Honest Kitchen - pet food with a passion

*Guest post from Lucy Postins, founder and president of the Honest Kitchen

We all look forward to the holidays and spending a little extra time with family and friends – and of course that includes our fur families as well!  But, with the holidays come a slew of different activities, foods and people that can sometimes pose unintended hazards and anxiety for our four-legged friends.

Photo credit: footloosiety

With just a little extra care and attention, you can help ensure your furry best friends are safe and comfortable when the Yule tide festivities and decorations are in full swing. Below are my top five tips to keep your pets happy and healthy his holiday season:

1. Travel – If you travel over the holidays and take your pet with you, be sure he wears his identity tags at all times. Being in a strange place can make pets anxious, more likely to bolt, and less likely to find their way back to you. If traveling by car, be sure to take lots of regular potty breaks to avoid discomfort and the risk of bladder infections. A secure carrier or pet seat belt can make the trip safer for everyone too.
2. Parties – If you have holiday parties at home, make sure your pet is secure and safe when the door is being frequently opened and closed. Ask visitors to respect your pet’s likes or dislikes regarding being petted or held – this is especially important with children in the house who may not yet have good “pet manners.” Remember that party poppers and balloons can be very startling to pets who aren’t seasoned party-goers. Reassure and confine your pet appropriately to help reduce stress.
3. Hidden Holiday Hazards – Many holiday decorations like glass baubles and tinsel can be potentially fatal for your pet if swallowed. Make sure young puppies don’t have free access to decorations on the tree or around the home. Holiday goodies like chocolates, macadamia nuts, and candies can also be harmful, so be sure to keep these out of reach too.
4. Plants – Holiday plants like Holly, Ivy, Mistletoe and Poinsettia are all hazardous (and potentially fatal) if consumed. Keep them up high and out of reach. The stress of the holidays with lots of visitors, disrupted routines and travel can sometimes cause a pet to try nibbling on foliage to try to ease anxiety-related tummy aches. Fresh, growing wheat grass (available from many health food stores) is a much better option.
   Photo credit: martinhoward
5. Food & Treats – Try to keep to your pet’s usual routines for exercise, and particularly meal times. Don’t switch diets when you travel and prevent your pet from gorging on holiday leftovers which can trigger GI upset and pancreas problems when fed in excess. A moderate amount of leftovers are fine for most pets and can add some healthy variety and extra nutrition to her meals. You can also whip up some healthy homemade treats for your four-legged friends. For a quick and simple recipe plus step-by-step instructions, check out my video for yummy Holiday Noshers from my first pet cook book, Made Out of Love, available at The Honest Kitchen starting December 18.

Happy howl-idays!

Lucy

About the Author: Companion animal nutritionist and founder of The Honest Kitchen, Lucy Postins, is passionate about advanced nutrition and health for pets, including complementary modalities such as herbalism and homeopathy. She frequently writes articles for local and national media, conducts radio interviews and educational spots and occasionally holds educational seminars for pet owners on the importance of good nutrition. For more information, please visit The Honest Kitchen.

Access the original article here: http://petopiatv.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/five-pet-holiday-safety-tips