Holiday advice to keep pets healthy and happy

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FAMILY FEATURES

EAST ALABAMA — While family and friends share gifts and hearty meals during the holidays, make sure you protect the joy of the season by keeping pets safe as you likely introduce new foods, decor and other potential hazards in the home.
Share the holiday cheer with your pets with these suggestions from the experts at VCA Animal Hospitals.

• Practice self-care together: Enjoy a “spaw” day with pet-safe grooming products
• Throw a holday- themed movie night: Grab your favorite blanket for a cuddle session
• Try pet yoga: Also known as Doga, this is a practice that involves using dog-friendly yoga poses. The goal is to bond with your pet while enjoying the calming effects of yoga.
• Manifest happiness: Write five reasons you’re grateful for your pet each morning
• Supercharge your calm: Meditate with your pet, and unplug from social media to be present with loved ones (including pets)
• Get moving: Go for a winter walk, teach your pet a new trick, create an indoor obstacle course, enjoy a play date at the dog park or introduce your pet to a new toy.

Avoid Toxic Foods and Hazardous Items
Your festivities are sure to be filled with love, laughter and joy, but all that celebrating is likely to include decorations and foods that are harmful to pets.
Pets are often naturally curious and may be attracted to bright, shiny items like candles and decorations. Protect against accidents by keeping decorations like tinsel, ribbon, open-flame candles and fragile ornaments out of reach. Avoid plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, lilies, holly and amaryllis that are toxic to pets. Be sure to cover or hide exposed electrical cords and exposed Christmas tree water.
Many common festive foods are bad for pets. It may be tough to resist those cute, begging eyes, but your pet’s health will benefit from your restraint. Keep chocolate, candy, fatty meat and bones, alcohol and exposed trash off the menu for pets.
Consider this list your holiday cheat sheet with quick, easy ways you can protect pets before, during and after get-togethers:

• Decorate with pet-safe ornaments
• Keep festive plants out of reach
• Put a skirt around your Christmas tree
• Secure your Christmas tree so it can’t fall over
• Invest in electric candles or menorahs
• Follow your pet’s regular diet
• Create a quiet space for your pet away from guests
• Check in with your pet to ensure he or she is happy and comfortable
• Thoroughly clean up and pack away any leftovers.