Caring for Pets During the Busy Holiday Season

Whether you’re busy shopping, cooking, welcoming guests or traveling this holiday season, don’t forget about your furry four-legged friend. 

Claws N Paws Luv N Kare is on Wescott Hills Way, off Kingstowne Village Parkway. Wayne Freedlander of Kingstowne can be reached at (703) 915-0006. He tells Patch he's provided the personal services of in-home pet sitting and pet walking for eight years to his customers. He was still taking appointments for the holidays last week.

Freedlander himself owns two cats: Baby, a long-haired calico and Precious, a short-haired solid gray. He takes care of all sorts of pets for his clients, from dogs and cats to birds, ferrets, fish, iguanas and gerbils.

Even if you don't need a pet sitter's services, Freedlander is offering some advice for pets-on-the-go. "Take all their toys, food, treats, medicine, bedding," he said. Perhaps most importantly, he says, locate vet care wherever you're traveling.

PetSmart also offers tips to keep companions safe during the holidays. "Pet parents should remember that it's just as important to continue to focus on supporting the pet's overall well-being during this hectic time of the year," said Dr. Robyn Jaynes, DVM, director of veterinary services for PetSmart, in a press release.

PetSmart recommends brushing dogs before and after a bath to prevent matting, and regularly brushing cats to help stimulate circulation and remove loose fur. If you'd rather leave grooming to the pros, of course, check out the PetSmart Grooming Salon, 6535 Frontier Drive in Springfield.  Appointments are available by calling 703-922-4990, extension 2. For a limited time, dogs can even smell sweet with a sugar cookie-scented spritz!

PetSmart also offers these tips if you’re hanging on to Fido for the holidays, to make sure his environment is safe

• Tape down or cover cords to help prevent shocks, burns or even more serious injuries.
• Secure holiday trees to keep them from toppling if a pet should try to climb them, use them as a scratching post or bump into them. PetSmart says cats are inclined to eat tinsel and/or ribbons hanging from trees; these decorations should be placed high on the tree or not used at all.
• Find a quiet place for your pet to retreat in the holiday chaos.
• Make sure your furry friend is equipped with an identification tag and microchip to be tracked easily in case they get lost, or loose, in the confusion.
• Remind your family and your guests not to continuously treat your pets to table scraps from holiday meals; dogs and cats do not have the same digestive systems or nutritional needs as people. PetSmart says chocolate contains the heart stimulant called theobromine, which, even in small quantities, can be toxic to dogs and cats.
• If you’re taking your pet with you on a trip during the holidays, look for pet-friendly hotels.

If you'd rather not worry about your pet while you're away, or your house is too full of guests, boarding is an option. PetSmart says its Doggie Day Camp provides supervised play and exercise with other dogs and staff members.

Meanwhile, the local PetCo can be found at 6612 Richmond Highway in Alexandria. Petco also has some advice for pet owners:

• Keep pets away from holiday tree pine needles and water; cover the tree stand tightly with skirting.
• Eating fresh mistletoe’s leaves and red berries could cause a drop in blood pressure; ivy can cause diarrhea and convulsions.
• Pets, especially very young and older animals, can suffer stress, frostbite and hypothermia when their body temperature drops just a few degrees below normal. Keep an eye on the tips of the ears, feet and tail.
• Automotive antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which causes rapid and permanent kidney damage to pets, even in very small amounts.  For example, a cat can walk through an antifreeze puddle and ingest it while cleaning its paws. Or a dog can lick an open container or a puddle on the garage floor.

The local PetCo can be reached at 703-660-1300.

Several local kennels, including the Olde Towne Pet Resort, offer premium pampering services such as massage, indoor swimming and a Web cam to see your pet while you're gone.