5 Ways to Get Your Pet Festive
Whether you look forward to dressing your pet up for the holidays, or balk at the thought, chances are you’ll be including your furry, fishy or feathered family member in one way or another.
With humans coming and going to events, on vacations, or just busying about, the holidays are stressful on domestic animals. Here are five ways to keep them in the spirit and show them you care. |
 Decorate your pet
The obvious choice for many is to head to the local pet supply store and purchase something festive to attach to the head of family dog or cat. While some pet owners feel this humiliates the helpless animal, others feel the photo op is worth it and no more offensive than putting an embarrassing holiday sweater on a speechless baby. |
Include you pet
Hanging stockings? Hang another for your pet. Sending an update letter or email? Include a sentence or two about the antics of your funny animal, too. Taking a family portrait? It’s not complete if your pet isn’t in the picture. Some larger pet chains even take portraits of your pet with Santa! |
Spoil your pet
You’re shopping anyway, so why not purchase some small token of appreciation for the creature that provides so much love? Consumables are best – a can of illicit wet food for a cat, doggie treats from the local pet bakery, or the expensive organic food are all good options and, unlike toys, won’t sit in landfills when the novelty has passed. |
Share your love of animals
Don’t spend too much on your pet. (Let’s face it. They don’t really know what’s going on.) Instead, take some of your gift budget and spend it on a charity that benefits animals on your pet’s behalf.
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Keep your pet safe
Countless pets fall ill or die each year due to preventable holiday-related accidents. Watch out for the usual culprits: burning candles, wobbly trees, tinsel, chocolate, poisonous poinsettias, low-hung ornaments and the punch bowl. (Yes, dogs have been known to get into the alcohol when you’re not looking.) There’s nothing as Scroogey as spending Christmas Day in the Veterinary Emergency Hospital. Perhaps the best gift of all would be pet insurance.
- Nadine Silverthorne
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