Getting Ready For The Festive Season

The count down to Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season has begun!

And, as pet parents  gear up for the hustle and bustle of the holidays season, here are some important reminders to keep pet safety top-of-mind throughout the season. Preparation is key and can help immensely when it comes to keeping pets calm and happy.

Consider pets’ when decorating: When adding holiday cheer to your decor, be sure to keep electrical cords, lights and candles out of pets’ reach. If pets chew electrical cords they can suffer serious injury. Candles knocked over by an excited tail or curious paw can pose serious fire hazards for both the pet and the home.

Keep pets safe during holiday gatherings: Be sure to provide a calm, private area for pets to escape to just in case things get a little too exciting for them at holiday gatherings. This private retreat will give pets a feeling of safety, especially with multiple guests coming through the house. Read your pet’s body language. If they seem anxious or scared it may be necessary to give them some time away from the noise and commotion. Reminding guests to close all doors to the outside can also help prevent any potential escape avenues for nervous pets.

Give pets plenty of exercise: Giving pets plenty of exercise prior to large gatherings can also help to reduce stress. Take them for a long walk or play a game of fetch prior to any busy celebrations. It’s also important to give them dedicated time during the holidays. It’s easy to get caught up in the in to-do lists and gift-buying, but don’t forget about the everyday needs of your furry, scaly or feathered family members.

Don’t feed pets table scraps: You may be tempted to sneak a delicious bite of table scraps from your holiday feasts to your pet as a sign of love, but this could be harmful to their health. While seemingly harmless, common ingredients in traditional holiday fare, such as grapes, raisins, chocolate, onion and macadamia nuts can cause serious health issues for pets. Instead, opt for pet-friendly, all-natural treats that pets will enjoy just as much, without the unwanted side-effects.

For the holiday season, Petco has teamed up with Merrick Pet Care to donate $1 million worth of cans of Merrick’s holiday favorites to the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, PAWS Chicago and Best Friends Animal Society.

Every time a can of a Merrick dog food favorite is purchased until the end of the year, a can will be donated to a shelter animal in need.