Pet care: Turkey Day can be a stressful time for pets

Thanksgiving is great fun, isn’t it? Turkey, tofurkey, pie, football, libations. With all those distractions, just remember to keep an eye on your pets. Barking or tense body postures around visitors, hiding, freezing with ears flattened, head low, tail tucked and startling at noises are important clues. Some scared dogs lick their lips and yawn; cats might over-groom.

Our pets need a refuge from the action. Hide boxes for kitties and out-of-the-way resting areas for dogs allow them to sit out the politics. Food toys loaded with canned or dry food will focus your pupster’s brain on natural scavenging while you party hearty in the other room. You can download music that promotes calming alpha brain waves, called Through a Dog’s Ear or Through a Cat’s Ear.

Preempt the heebie-jeebies by mixing Zylkene, a supplement that reduces mild-moderate anxiety, in your dog’s or cat’s food starting a couple of days ahead of the wingding. For longer periods, like the Christmas to New Year’s marathon, you can give it every day until you’ve boxed up the mistletoe which, by the way, is toxic if eaten. A fast acting antianxiety gel called Sileo can be given between your dog’s lip and gum before particularly raucous events. Ask your veterinarian for Zylkene and Sileo.

Don’t let your dog raid the Thanksgiving feast of roast beast. Surreptitious snacking on chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic and raisins should also be avoided. If your pets have consumed these delicacies forget watchful waiting for vomiting, lethargy or seizures. If in doubt, have a suspicious pet examined so a poisoning can be derailed before it reaches a crisis.

Drinks with alcohol are dangerous, especially for smaller pets. And those cannabis brownies and gummies? Whatever one’s personal choices, there is a responsibility to avoid inflicting intense fear on unsuspecting creatures. Keep mood-altering substances beyond the reach of children and pets. Finally, if you take Effexor (venlafaxine) for depression, your holidays should be brighter, but screw the cap on tight. Your curious cat may chew the bottle and binge. Seriously. Have a fun holiday but remember Murphy’s Law.

For help with behavior problems, you can sign up for a Zoom group conference at drjeffnichol.com

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