Taking Care of Pets at Christmas

Posted by admin 21 December, 2009

Christmas, as we all know, is a special time of year. It’s a time for giving gifts, indulgence and festivities; but whilst enjoying yourself, spare a thought for your pets too.

First of all, whilst buying gifts for friends, family and loved ones, why not get one for your cat or dog too? Everybody enjoys the occasional treat, and animals are certainly no different. There are gifts aplenty to consider for your feline friend or pooch pal to enjoy. A smart new collar could provide you with the perfect present solution? A new chew, bone or toy for them to play with and destroy by Boxing Day. Maybe even a new bed for them to relax with a bit more room and comfort whilst you’re off preparing for the New Year celebrations.

Of course, the best gift you can probably give a pet, new or old, is a fully inclusive insurance policy. Unglamorous it may be, but essential it certainly is. You can get nothing more important for a pet as it will ensure that they can continue a long and healthy life in your home with plenty more Christmases to enjoy.

Specialist dog insurance will help your canine companion keep fit and well by ensuring that you never have to think twice about taking them to the vets for treatment. As fully inclusive coverage will ensure that you won’t need to be worried about paying for surgery, check-ups and medicines, all except an excess of course, you can get the best possible healthcare for your dog right throughout its life. The same of course is true for their cat counterparts. Cat insurance is equally important, and growing in popularity all the time. It will help you in times of need, giving you a hand with paying for veterinary bills as well as covering you for the loss of your cat if it should stray off and not come home one day. Different policies cover different things, so shop around and find one that suits the requirements of your pet without overextending your budget. Keeping your pet safe doesn’t simply start and finish with pet insurance though, there’s a lot more you need to be aware of this Christmas. Both cats and dogs are highly intelligent animals and require regular attention; so whilst you’re off carving the turkey and enjoying a small nip of festive sherry, don’t forget to include them in your plans.

Don’t, however, feed them a lot of the rich and fatty foods that you and your family may be eating. Their digestive systems are different to a human’s, so giving them treats like chocolate could do them more damage than good. Of course there’s no harm whatsoever in giving your pet a few specialist treats, but the responsibility is very much with you to ensure that they remain just as healthy and happy as the rest of your family.

Smaller animals can also struggle with the plunging temperatures, so make sure that they aren’t kept in cold conditions or forced to go out for walks without something to cover them. Joints can become stiffened by the cool air, causing all sorts of issues – both long-term and short – as well as possibly opening the door to infection. On the other hand though, larger breeds might be adverse to the warmth that a kitchen or lounge may provide with so many people around. Cranking up the temperature on the thermostat might ensure that all of your human house guests are kept warm and comfortable throughout the festive period, but don’t forget about your pet; large dogs and cats with thick fur can suffer in intense heat, so always make sure they are able to have a space to retreat to in order to cool down and plenty of fluids on the go too. As you will no doubt be aware, loud noises are a predominant fixture through the Christmas period. Whether it’s caused by parties or fireworks, you need to make sure that if your dog or cat is susceptible to loud noises that they aren’t put under any undue stress whilst you’re enjoying yourself. Find them a quite area if at all possible, or offer them regular comfort to ensure that they are at ease.

So whatever happens this Christmas, enjoy yourself but don’t forget your pets. Give them all the love and attention they deserve and feel free to lavish them with suitable gifts to ensure they enjoy the festive period just as much as you do.

Here are a few things you can do for your pet this Christmas: