Ways to keep your pets safe during the holidays

It’s that time of year again, and we are all in a mild panic, especially with guests coming over and our fur family being around. Whether you’re staying home and having a family visit or going away for the holidays, here are some helpful tips and tricks to keep your pets safe this holiday season.

If you are going on vacation, here are a few options to ensure your fur baby is PAW-fectly safe 😀

• Hire a pet sitter. There are plenty of companies and independent pet sitters in and around Toronto who are happy to help by staying with or checking in on your pet while you are away this holiday. This way your little furball isn’t alone and is in its own environment. Be sure to interview any independent pet sitters and check references thoroughly.

• Bring your pet with you. Although the flight or car ride may be a bit strained for everyone involved, and surely your fuzzy family member doesn’t like the calming medication for such events, but when you bring your pet along, you know they are taken care of in the way you want them to be, and they don’t have to miss you half as much.

• In-home pet boarding. This choice runs along the same lines as pet sitting, except that you would drop your precious pet off at the sitter's house for the duration of your vacation, like a sleepover for furry babies.

• Make sure guests know the rules about your pet. Brief your visitors on how to approach your pet, and if they have children, make sure they talk to them about how to best make friends with an animal, as small children can unknowingly give the wrong impression to animals. Our kids think they’re playing and the dog or cat may put up with it for a little while, but make sure to teach children the warning signs that your pet wants to be left alone, such as the pet physically leaving the space, laid back ears, tail wagging or growling or even a warning nip (cats are prone to this). Our pets will generally warn us that they have had enough before they retaliate; animals have boundaries that need to be respected as well as humans.

Last but not least, there is always the option of boarding kennels and "catteries". Here, you know the boarder must be licensed, and there will be other pets for Fido and Fefe to play with, or they can just snooze all day if they wish. Hmmmm….snoozing and snacking, that sounds like an absolute dream!

Have a wonderful vacation and safe travels!

Custom Maids Toronto Team