Keep Your Pets  Healthy & Safe During the Holidays

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes a veritable blizzard of sugary temptations. When those homemade cookies show up in the office break room, it takes real resolve to choose the veggie tray instead.

The seasonal lineup of enticements can be a problem for pets, too! However, with just a little planning, the holidays can be a time of healthy fun for you and your pets, with no worries about unhealthy weight gain for either of you!

It's a Big Deal

If you're like most folks, a holiday gift for your pet is right up there with a new scarf for great-grandma. There's certainly nothing wrong with that! However, trouble can start when the celebration becomes an endless sampling of tidbits, many of which are unsuitable for pets. Here are a few pet care suggestions to help keep your furry friends from gaining unhealthy extra weight during the festivities.

1. Kick-off the new year early with a pre-holiday nutritional checkup at your veterinarian. Your vet knows the ideal weight for your pet and can help you choose a nutritious diet best suited for their needs.
2. When choosing pet treats, read the nutrition labels carefully. Those decorated holiday dog cookies are probably not worth the extra calories.
3. Instead of a calorie-laden treat in your best buddy's stocking, choose a toy that will spark healthy exercise sessions instead.
4. Advice guests not to give in to those soulful eyes begging for treats from the buffet table. Your pet doesn't need the extra calories, and some foods, like those containing chocolate, raisins or grapes, nuts, xylitol, etc., can cause serious health problems or even death.

Good pet care is as important to us as it is to you! Contact us at Intermountain Pet Hospital to help keep your best friends happy and healthy year-round.