Thanksgiving De-stressing Tips

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!  I love having a house full of family, food, and fun.  Since our pets are a part of our family I make sure they are happy and comfortably enjoying the festivities too.

As pet owners we need to be more aware of our dog's sensitivities during the hectic times when schedules are thrown to the wind, people are coming and going, and there are lots of new smells and noises, etc.  Here are some things you can keep in mind to help your pets (both dogs and cats) feel more at ease.

• No table scraps ~ Really, I can't emphasize this enough.  Let your guests know, especially children, that the dogs will receive their own special holiday treat at feeding time.  So many things can upset their tummies.  I inform my family they can feed from the table as long as they plan to stay through the night to make the many trips outside as a result of a messed up digestive system AND clean it up....
• Keep things normal ~ Routine is comforting to your dog and cat and can help them feel more secure while everything is chaos around them.  Take that daily walk rather than skipping it because you're too busy.  It'll give you time to organize your day while exercising with your dog.  Feeding at the regular times avoids accidents.  Give them an interactive toy to keep them entertained if you're not able to play with them as much.
• Introduce your guests to your pets ~ You should have socialized your pets at a young age by getting them out around different noises, places, situations, other animals, people of all ages.  If you missed out on this, it's not too late, just takes longer.  This is important for when they are around others even in their own home.  Make sure the children understand how to act around your dogs and cats.  Always supervise your pets with the children.
• Provide a safe haven ~ If your pet has not been socialized or is normally skittish, have a quiet place away from noise and activity where they can safely relax, get away from it all, and not be bothered or upset by humans.
• Up to date information ~ Nervous animals and even those not likely to escape can get out and not be missed if there is a house full of people and activity.  Make sure they have secure collars with ID tags on.  Check to make sure their microchip information is correct.  

Better to be safe than sorry and enjoy your turkey!