Hustle and Bustle
There are many times in our lives when we are stressed out – running around like crazy people trying to get everything done. The “holiday season” is surely a great example.
But, we aren’t the only ones feeling the effects of our packed schedules and long to-do lists – our pets can get stressed out due to our stress!
For your own health, and the well-being of your animals, here are a few tips to help everyone “take it down a notch” this season:
- Take 5 minutes to breathe. Sip a cup of tea and give your kitty an extra cuddle. Take your dog for that extra lap around the block. Your heart, mind and beloved pet will thank you!
- Find your sanctuary, and invite your pet(s). Create a quiet space in your home away from guests. Add a special bed for your animal(s) so they can hide from the holiday parties and events. For cats, consider putting an extra litter box in this room to provide a true hide-away.
- Stick to your schedule (as insane as it might be). Feed, walk and water your pets at their usual times. They really are creatures of habit and will appreciate this so much.
And now for a few things to remember as you rush through those tedious to-do tasks:
- Don’t leave bags, ribbons or scissors out after a marathon wrapping session. Cats (and dogs) can get stuck in bags, sick from eating ribbons or cut from sharp scissors.
- Avoid giving your pets sugary or fatty treats from the people table. Sure, they will beg but like all the other times of the year, the majority of these items are bad for their bellies.
- Move all those pretty, live plants out of reach – even if the plants are thought to be non-toxic, no one wants to clean up green vomit from an over-zealous chewer.
Images courtesy of Michelle Arlotta Photography