Is Your Pet Traveling with You this Winter?
The holiday season is finally upon us and that means that many local families will be traveling to visit family and celebrate. At Mokena Animal Hospital, we want to help make sure that you and your family pets can enjoy a safe and stress-free holiday season. As your trusted Mokena veterinarian team, we understand better than anyone else just how important it is to provide a safe space for your pets during the holidays. With hidden dangers to pets around every corner, follow our helpful tips to make sure your holiday plans go off without a hitch this year.
What Are Your Pet’s Plans for the Holidays?
The holidays are a special time of year for many families but the family pet may see them as a time of chaos if you don’t plan ahead properly. Luckily, you can help to reduce the stress that your pets may experience during the holidays with a bit of careful planning. With a few extra precautions, it’s easy to include willing pets in on the fun during this time of year.
Is Your Pet Celebrating with the Family at Home?
It is important that pets have a quiet room that is out of the way where they can be kept away from the stress of holiday parties. While some pets may enjoy socializing, the excitement of your big celebration may leave others searching for a safe place to chill out.
Additionally, it is a good idea to remind family members and guests that feeding your pet’s table scraps is a no-no. Depending on what you are serving, your table scraps could pose some serious health concerns for your pet. From bones that can splinter into chocolate that can poison, keep the pets far away from people food during the holidays.
Is Your Pet Traveling with the Family?
If your family is traveling with your pets this holiday season there are a few important safety steps you need to take before heading out on the open road. Make sure that all of your contact information is up-to-date on all pet ID tags and keep in mind that air travel with pets can be risky. If possible, leave pets at-home with a sitter or if your pets are smaller, see if they can travel to the cabin with you.
While it is safer to travel with your pets by car, be sure to follow proper safety steps along the way. Pets should always wear identification tags and never be left in the car unattended during the colder months. If you have a safety seat belt, harness or carrier, be sure your pet can travel comfortably using one of these safety options. In addition, plan ahead for potty breaks and walks if you’re traveling a great distance away from home. Lastly, make sure to bring lots of water, snacks, and toys to keep your pets entertained along the way.
Is Your Pet Staying Behind?
If you’re leaving your pets at home with a sitter, make sure that you do plenty of research and ask for references before leaving them behind. On the other hand, if you’re using a pet boarding service, you will need to ensure that your pet has the proper vaccinations before they can complete their stay. Our friendly and knowledgeable veterinarian team will be happy to review your pet’s vaccination status before you leave to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Enjoy a Safe and Happy Holiday Season
Don’t let pet stresses keep your family from enjoying the holidays! With some careful planning, everyone in the family can enjoy a safe and happy holiday season. Call 708-479-2811 or visit the veterinarian team at Mokena Animal Hospital online today for more great pet care tips or to schedule an appointment.
