IN ALL the hustle and bustle of Christmas please remember your faithful friends.
Animals need a routine and it is very unsettling for them when they receive their food late and, in some cases at Christmas and the festive season, with dogs they don’t even get a walk at all !
Change of routine brings change of behaviour and the whole household can become stressed. If there is more than yourself in the household, then think about your pets and pass on all, or some, of the responsibility to another member of the family.
The children are on their holidays. Why not offer them a little more pocket money to walk the dog, feed the cat etc or bring in a dog walker/sitter?
Please remember, chocolate is highly toxic to dogs and at this time of year there is plenty about. Pet shops sell dog chocolate substitutes in various forms. If you want to treat them choose this option.
If your dog is housed outdoors please remember that water freezes and they may be unable to have an adequate supply of drinking water, so check regularly.
Extra blankets and bedding are an absolute must and small dogs breeds, in particular, will not cope with cold conditions and can develop all sorts of illnesses and can actually die if left in conditions too cold, such as a shed or garage.
Other larger dogs cope without any problems in such conditions because of the breed, but even they might need an extra blanket or pillow when it gets around zero.
Charity shops are great for this as they often have lots of different very cheap blankets and bedding, and at the same time you are helping support a charity.
Please don’t allow any dog to eat the turkey carcass. Having been cooked for a long period of time, the bones become very brittle and can quite easily get stuck in the back of their throats, resulting in a very, very expensive bill when you visit your vet on Christmas Day !
It’s simple really. We know you love your pets, but sometimes it’s easy to allow the other things in life make you occasionally forget about their welfare. Christmas is also a time for them as well, so please make sure they are happy too.
Have a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
