Keep Stress Down - Some Tips
The upcoming season presents numerous instances for increased anxiety during a flurry of holiday-related activities. As you've probably seen time and time again, your sweet companions can be rattled by your own elevated levels of stress. Fortunately, there are some specific steps you can take to cope with the demands for your time and energies, to make the holidays merry for you and your pets.
Be sure to plan ahead, to reduce the likelihood of last-minute decisions, which often infuse activities with an unnecessary sense of urgency.
Take advantage of online shopping, so you don't have to leave your companion animals alone for extended periods of time. And try to take care of multiple errands during each trip. You'll not only save gas (and therefore, money), you'll also spend less time away from home.
Consider planning more events at home, so your companion animals can be a part of the celebration. If you plan to have many visitors in your home, consider keeping your dog on lead inside the house. You'll be able to keep an eye on her or him at all times, reducing the likelihood of possible injury amidst a gaggle of unfamiliar feet. Additionally, keeping them close-by may reduce your pet's level of stress. Alternatively, if you have an anxiety-prone dog or cat, consider confining them to a safe zone (like a bedroom, or even their crate) for the duration of in-home celebrations.
Leave a note on the front door reminding visitors not to allow your pet to run out of the house. Nothing puts a damper on festivities like turning a holiday party into a search party.
To cope with heightened expectations of visiting family members, take time to consider how you might simplify the preparation and execution of seasonal parties and gatherings. For example, instead of a menu of eight items, prepare only five. Or, combine family and colleague get-togethers. By simplifying, you'll help to eliminate some performance pressure off yourself, and thereby, your whole family.
Don't try to do everything yourself, but rather assign specific tasks to other family members, even your children. You may be surprised at how seriously they take on the new responsibilities, and they'll learn a lot in the process.
Remember that nothing is perfect – striving for perfection in all of your celebrations can have the unfortunate effect of increasing stress, not only for you, but for the rest of your family.
By implementing just a few of these measures, you can reduce stress for you and your companion animals.
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Here Comes The Cold Weather - Be Prepared ...
The cool winds of winter are already blowing through the nation. Some states are experiencing sooner and greater than expected snowfalls. So, what can you do to make sure your companion animals are prepared for the coming months? Here are just a handful of helpful tips …
If your companion animal is older and arthritic, be sure not to leave her or him outside too long. Just as with humans, colder temperatures can make arthritic joints stiff and painful.
Dogs that tend to walk on sidewalks and streets should have their paws cleaned upon re-entering the home. Ice, rock salt and other chemicals can collect in their pads and cause irritation.
If you live in an area where snows are frequent or deep, clear a spot in your yard for your dog to eliminate wastes.
Check outside water bowls frequently during the day for signs of freezing. For a modest price, you can obtain a heated bowl to ensure that your pet will always have access to tepid water even when the temperature drops.
And remember that companion animals have to burn more calories to stay warm during the cold months, especially if your pet will be frequently outdoors. Consider increasing the amount of food you feed by 10–20%.
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Holiday Safety For Your Pets
By following some simple tips, you can ensure a trouble-free holiday season for you and your pets.
There are some things from which you should shield your pets during the festive months.
Some common holiday plants are toxic to cats and dogs. Don't keep holly, poinsettias, lilies or mistletoe on or near the floor, where pets have easy access to them.
If you have a live tree in your home, don't let pine needles accumulate on the floor, as these needles can perforate the intestinal lining of dogs and cats. Additionally, trees should be tethered to a wall or the ceiling to prevent them from falling on pets.
Don't leave unfamiliar extension cords fully exposed, as these can resemble chew toys, which could result in serious injury to your dog. Never leave lights plugged in when you are not at home.
Don't allow your companion animals to drink holiday tree water, as it quickly becomes stagnant and can contain harmful chemicals or bacteria. Consider putting up a wire fence to restrict access to tree water, and to gifts (aka, tempting chewing targets).
If you are decorating with tinsel, hang it out of reach of your pets, especially cats, as they are known to eat tinsel, which can result in intestinal distress.
And here are some suggestions for things you should consider doing as the year wraps up.
Do your gift wrapping on an elevated surface, where your pets can't get into (and consequently eat) string, paper and ribbons that can cause intestinal blockages.
This is a good time of the year to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. This helps to ensure the safety of the home and also avoids alarming your companion animals, as low batteries will often set off alerts that can scare your pets.
Encourage your holiday guests to refrain from feeding your companion animals human food, as this can result in diarrhea, vomiting and illness.
During the stress of the holidays, companion animals may drink more water, so be extra alert to providing this basic necessity.
Post your vet's phone number in a prominent location, like your refrigerator. This provides easy access to necessary information for anyone visiting your home, should a problem arise.
Thank you for all that you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.
Very best regards,
Dr. Jane Bicks
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Holiday Gift Baskets For Dogs and Cats
Ready for them or not, the holidays are fully upon us. So, too, officially begins the holiday shopping season. Every year, tens of millions of Americans desperately seek gifts that are perfectly suited to folks on their holiday lists. And this season, we're all looking for ways to save money with less expensive gifts.
This year, we'd like you to consider giving gifts that warm the heart and are completely satisfying gifts that are now on sale. Order now and you'll save $12.05 off the retail value of the dog basket, and $8.05 off the retail value of the cat basket.
And every time you purchase one of our holiday gifts, a donation is made to the Dr. Jane's HealthyPetNet Foundation. This non-profit foundation is absolutely committed to the promotion, establishment, maintenance and management of animal rescue groups dedicated to rescuing abused animals in the U.S.
Choose from either a dog- or cat-specific gift, and help to make this holiday even brighter for your friends and family.
Holiday Gift Baskets for Dogs
A $30.00 value, on sale now for only $17.95!
A fantastic gift for both dogs and their pet parents! The HealthyPetNet Holiday Gift Basket for Dogs features an adorable plush and squeaky toy that will provide hours of entertainment. You'll also find an assortment of delicious and healthy HealthyPetNet treats!
Wholesome Hearts Low Fat Treats
Gourmet Dental Treats
Antioxidant Health Bars
Tasty Rewards Training Treats
Porky Puff Dog Chew
These tasty morsels are cradled in a lovely, festive, reusable holiday basket. Make a canine’s holiday truly special, and treat them to a Holiday Gift Basket! Order Now!
(Basket and plush toy may vary.)
Holiday Gift Baskets for Cats
A $21.00 value, on sale now for only $12.95!
Don't forget the felines on your list this holiday season! The HealthyPetNet Holiday Gift Basket for Cats features a delightful variety of toys that will keep cats happily occupied throughout the holiday season. Cats will go bonkers over the catnip-filled pillows and mice.
For the proud cat parent, there's an adorable, hand-painted, cat-shaped frame so that you can proudly display a photo of your treasured cat – use it as a holiday ornament or leave it out all year long! And nestled within, you'll find a bag of Life's Abundance Gourmet Cat Treats for Healthy Skin & Coat. The toys and treats are cradled in a lovely, festive, reusable holiday basket.
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