Article: Inside & Out
Caring For Your Pets During The Holidays
The hustle and bustle of the holidays can often be a little overwhelming for pets. With so much going on it’s easy to forget that our four-footed family members need some attention, too. Maintaining routines and pet proofing your decked out halls are keys to a stress-free and enjoyable holiday for everyone in the family.
PP spoke to the team at Pet Essentials in Whangarei who gave us a helpful checklist to ensure pet safety and comfort. Plus, while at their new premises located on Commerce Street, we had a good browse through their enormous selection of pet products. We are most certainly impressed with their new shop and are able to suggest some of our favourite pet gifts.
Pet Safety
o Keep plants that are dangerous to dogs and cats out of paw’s way, including
holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, lilies and pine needles.
o Tape down or cover cords to avoid shocks, burns and other serious injuries.
Unplug lights before leaving your home.
o Anchor your Christmas tree to the ceiling or wall to prevent any unfortunate
incidents.
o Wait a day or two to decorate the tree to provide some time for adjustment and
correction in behaviour before the glass balls go up.
o Spray Bitter Apple on cords or tree branches if your pet is overly curious. The smell
will deter your pet without leaving a noticeable odour to humans.
o Don’t let your pet drink the tree water. It can contain fertilizers, plus stagnant tree
water can harbour bacteria.
o Keep ornaments and tinsel out of reach of dogs and cats and forgo the artificial
snow altogether.
o Clean up after gifts are opened, including putting away toys with small parts and
disposing of ribbons and wrapping paper.
o Put candles on high shelves and use fireplace screens to avoid burns.
Pet Comfort
o Reduce your pet’s stress by trying to keep your regular feeding and exercising
schedule, even when you have guests or are preoccupied with holiday preparations.
o Designate a safe, quiet room to confine your dog while you’re cooking and
entertaining. (He or she might need a break from the chaos, too!)
o Be sure your pets have a current I.D. in case they escape as guests come and go.
o Keep fresh water out since dogs have the tendency to pant more when they feel
stressed.
o Tell guests what is acceptable to feed your dog, so they can indulge your pet safely without spoiling or, worse, making him sick.
Our Favourite Pet Gifts
Whether you want to surprise a fellow pet lover with a unique gift or you want to lavish your own pet with up-to-the-minute style, check out our top two picks.
1. Every Dog Deserves A Plush Retreat, Like Our Cocovana Bedding In Many Groovy Colours.
This season, Cocovana brings a delight for your living room… dog beds with couch cushions to Match. We are ‘spicing up’ bedding this spring by offering pet lovers a new reason to spoil their furry friends!!
What Makes This More Special Than An Ordinary Dog Bed?
Usually if you buy a dog bed, you buy one to blend in or match your current home decor. Perhaps find one that matches the couch and doesn’t stand out too obnoxiously.
But What If You Could Buy A Dog Bed That Comes With A Matching Couch Cushions For Yourself?
By tying the colours of the dog cushion into the cushions on your own lounge suite you have a more fashion friendly option for your living room.
And expect a bit of a tussle over who gets to lounge or the dog bed. They’re that good. This new innovation from Cocovana also incorporates a new foam core system for even more support for your pet.
Each bed is made with double layered core foam and a padded layer of plush foam. So the bed will keep its shape and ensure a supportive rest for your dog (or yourself). It’s the king bed of dog bed softness.
Benefits of the Foam Core bed
Foam is a common material found in orthopaedic dog beds. It contours to a dog’s body shape and alleviates painful pressure points. The foam core may help your dog sleep more comfortably because he may be less likely to toss and turn in an effort to find a comfortable sleep position.
Four completely irresistible fabrics to choose from: • Cocovana Grey Stripes • Cocovana Ash Grey Flower • Cocovana green Flower • Cocovana Black/Pink Flower
2. This Personalised Dog Grooming Giftbox Keeps Your Doggie Beautifully Odorised And Fleafree.
The WashBar Dog Box - all 3 of our great products for dogs - in a wooden gift box with a sliding lid. It’s the perfect present for the person who has everything.
The natural pine box contains WashBar 100% Natural Deodoriser, WashBar 100% Natural Flea Repellent and a bar of Original WashBar Soap for Dogs nestled in wood-wool. It’s a great present for your own pooch or for those friends and relatives that can be difficult to buy presents for - give them one of these for their dog instead.
