In the holiday frenzy it’s easy to let some things slip through the cracks, especially if you’re planning to visit friends or family. So, before you walk out the door, leaving your pets in your pet sitter’s hands, make time to ensure your pets are safe and sound. You’ll want to be sure that you haven’t inadvertently set them up for an accident. These last minute tips should help things go smoothly for you, your pets, and your pet sitter:
Make sure holiday decorations are out of your pets’ reach.
Even if your cat or dog never plays with your beautiful holiday decorations while you’re there, you don’t know what they might do when you’re gone. If your pets are bored, they may just go looking for something to play with, and new items (like the once a year decorations) may look like new toys.
Plants are a no-no
Was someone thoughtful enough to send you a Christmas flower arrangement? It may look lovely on your coffee table, but keep in mind that some of the items in that lovely basket may be poisonous to your pets. Plants such as mistletoe, holly, lillies, and even your Christmas tree can cause serious illness or even death if your pet eats enough. The poinsettia can cause stomach upset, but it’s not as deadly as the others. Even so, it’s a good idea to make sure your pets can’t get to it either.
Food belongs in the fridge or cabinets
Your food, that is! Be sure to put that yummy box of chocolates away before you leave. It would make a tasty treat for Fido, but could also mean a visit to the animal hospital, or at the very least a huge mess for the pet sitter to clean up.
Make sure you have plenty of pet supplies
This is important any time you leave your pets with a pet sitter. But if you live where it’s cold and snowy, or if you’re traveling to someplace cold & snowy, be prepared for delays. Your pet sitter’s schedule is likely to be pretty packed. So, if you get snowed in somewhere and she needs to make a pet food run, it may cut into the time she has to spend with your pets.
Shovel the snow
Before you leave, please make sure you shovel any snow so your pet sitter can get to the door (and the driveway) ok. Be sure to leave a snow shovel just in case it snows more while you’re away. And, if you have some type of ice melting chemicals, be sure they’re dog friendly!
You’ll find more tips on how to get ready for your pet sitter on our website.
Do you have more holiday tips to help keep pets safe while their people are away? If so, let us know!
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Thanks for the advices! My pets are so mischievous that they often make my day bad but I love them all!
Good list, Therese. I might add, make sure your furnace has been serviced this year. I’m doing one now where the furnace went out yesterday with outdoor temps in the 30s. I had to go buy a jacket for a little teeny weenie who was shivering in his bed.
Awesome list!! As a Pet Sitter who has seen horrible things happen to the unprepared, its great to see people out there getting the information out. Great work Therese