December is here! Our minds are racing with plans for the holidays, family, shopping and fun! Before you pour your first eggnog or begin decorating the tree, let’s be sure to consider how your pets are faring this December.

  1. Comfort and Joy
  • Indoor Comfort: Ensure your pets have a warm, cozy Pet Bed to rest indoors. 
  • Outdoor Walks: If you have a dog, limit outdoor time during extremely cold weather. We’ve got a great selection of sweaters or coats to protect small or short-haired breeds when going outside.
  • Heated Beds: Consider heated beds or pads for pets that are older or have arthritis. 

2. Protect Paws from Salt and Ice

  • Paw Care: Ice and road salt can irritate pets' paws, leading to discomfort or injury. After walks, wipe your pet's paws clean with a damp cloth. We have paw wipes made especially for this task too.
  • Booties: Some pets tolerate booties, which can help protect their paws from salt, ice, and cold surfaces.
  • If your dog does not tolerate boots, You can also apply Paw Wax or Balm to protect their feet from the elements.
  • Pet-Safe Ice Melt - use this instead of rock salt to protect your pet’s paws, (and your concrete).

3. Hydration and Nutrition

  • Hydration: Indoors, pets may become dehydrated due to indoor heating. Provide plenty of fresh water at all times.
  • Outdoor water - PVPE carries heated water bowls to use outdoors to keep your pets bowls from freezing.
  • Nutrition: Some pets may reduce activity during the colder months. Consider slightly reducing their food intake to prevent weight gain. Or you may want to switch to a low-calorie variety of your pet’s favorite food.

4. Watch for Holiday Hazards

  • Holiday Decorations: Keep decorations like tinsel, ribbon, and small ornaments out of reach. Pets may try to chew on these items, leading to choking or digestive issues.
  • Toxic Foods: Be cautious with holiday foods. Keep pets away from chocolate, alcohol, onions, grapes, raisins, and any food that could be toxic to them.
  • Christmas Tree Safety: Anchor the tree securely to prevent it from tipping over if your pet gets curious. Avoid sharp ornaments that could break and injure your pet.
  • Candles and Fires: If you light candles or have a fireplace, make sure your pets can't get too close to the flames or knock things over

5. Keep Active Indoors

  • Playtime: With colder weather, pets might be less inclined to go outside. Keep them active with indoor play, such as fetch, Puzzle Toys, Snuffle Mats or training sessions.
  • Mental Stimulation: Offer interactive toys or new activities to challenge your pet’s mind and prevent boredom during winter months.
  1. Tummy Upsets
  • Occasional tummy upsets are not surprising this time of year. We may offer our pets food from the table more often than usual or, perhaps they helped themselves to the charcuterie board. If your pet suffers from mild tummy upsets, try feeding a Bland Diet for a few days or even add some Pumpkin to help firm-up soft stools. We have a great anti-diarrhea remedy too if things go that direction. 

All of us here at PVPE wish you and yours Happy Holidays this December! By following these tips, you can help ensure that your pets stay safe, comfortable, and healthy throughout December and the colder months ahead!