It’s easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm of food and family during Thanksgiving and the winter holiday season. Your holiday planning should also include keeping your pets safe — from preventing them from eating table scraps that could harm them to keeping their anxiety at bay.

Keep your pet indoors

Cold snaps are rare in the Lowcountry, but they still happen. When the temperatures dip, keep your pooches inside and with plenty of toys to keep them busy. Conversely, during the sweltering heat, your pets need plenty of water and shade. If the climbing temperatures are too high, they need the air conditioning, just like their human family.

Be prepared when you have guests

Let your holiday visitors know ahead of time that you have pets. If your dog or cat is territorial, keep them in a separate room with plenty of food, water, toys and comfort items. If you have a dog that bites or a cat that claws, it’s your responsibility to keep your guests informed on their behavior.

Heading out of town? Book your pet sitter now.

If you’re headed out of town and taking your sweet furry family members with you isn’t an option, book your pet accommodations now. Many pet hotels and other boarding facilities fill up fast. Our professional pet sitting calendar is starting to fill up. Contact us today.

Just say ‘no’ to table scraps

There are too many human foods that can harm your pets, so it’s a good idea to avoid table scraps altogether. Bones, for instance, can splinter and get caught in intestines. Candy — especially chocolate — is toxic for dogs, cats and ferrets. Citrus and pits contain essential oils that cause irritations and blockages. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney problems.

Keep your pets away from holiday decor

Did you know that the water from real Christmas trees can contain toxic chemicals that can hurt your pets? It might be funny to see cats climb over tinsel and strings of lights, but they could knock the tree over and hurt themselves and other smaller family members. Watch your candles carefully; cat zoomies or over-excited dogs could knock them over and start a fire. Ivy, poinsettias and holly might look pretty but they are toxic to pets.