10 Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe this Holiday Season

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Holidays are crazy. And as a busy working mom, my own needs take a backseat during shuffling children to Christmas concerts, buying and wrapping gifts and preparing holiday menus. And the one member of my family that really takes a back seat is my dog, Oscar!

Oscar is such an important addition to my family that he is part of our annual family photos. He goes on rides with us to school drop off, I take him for runs and walks in the park and he sleeps on my bed most nights. Keeping him safe during the holidays needs to be a priority and shopping at my local Kroger store makes that happen.

How to Keep Your Pet Safe this Holiday Season

Stock up on food. I love the smaller Purina Beneful dry dog food bags (3.5 lbs) at Kroger. They are the perfect size for me to keep on hand when we head to family’s house for the holidays and I need to make sure my precious fido has his food. Plus I can easily carry the bags and fit them into my cart. Purina Beneful always is my first choice for dog food because of the quality ingredients. The #1 ingredient is meat (in beef and chicken varieties) and as always, there is no sugar added. Those two things are very important to me! Add in antioxidants, whole grains and vegetables and my dog is not only satisfied but gets 100% of the nutrients he needs from Purina Beneful products. The last thing you want to do is run to the store on Christmas Eve to grab some dog food!
Keep holiday plants away. I'm pretty sure rushing your pet to the ER Vet is not on your holiday to-do list nor part of the holiday budget! Keep fresh holly, mistletoe and poinsettias away from dogs. Place these items on a table or mantel away from your precious pets to avoid possible sickness.
Secure your tree. You need to make sure your tree is secure when it's up so it doesn't fall on your pet! Try using fishing line to tie your tree to a door jamb or the ceiling. If necessary, place a barricade or gate around your tree to keep your dog from drinking the water, which could cause upset stomach.
Keep candles away. Never burn a candle unattended. Keep all candles off of low tables to prevent an excited tail mishap causing a lit candle to tip over and cause a fire or burn your pooch.
Grab a variety of treats. Having a variety of treats on hand helps me keep guests from feeding table food to my dog. Instead of tossing scrap food into his bowl, I suggest my guest pick out a variety of treats I keep in a basket.If your dog is begging at the dinner table, hand him a Busy Treat. These long lasting treats will help keep his nose away from (possibly unsafe) people food while keeping him near the holiday action.
Tie up cords. Keep electrical cords tied up and away from those 4 furry paws and that curious mouth. You don't want an accidental electrical shock or a trip hazard for your pet.
Plan for guests. Make sure you have a space for your dog to go when you have a house full of guests. All the commotion and noise may cause your furry friend to get anxious and moving him to a space of his own may help keep him calm.
Be prepared. Always keep a list of phone numbers on your refrigerator for your vet, emergency vet, kennel, neighbor and the poison control hotline. Once you have those numbers on the fridge, add them to your phone so you can quickly call no matter where you are.
Plan ahead. Make sure your pet is up to date on his vaccinations in case you need to kennel or board him for your out of town trips. Or grab your calendar and see if a neighbor can help out with feeding and walks when you have holiday parties and obligations.
Shop at Kroger. While grabbing my holiday menu items, I can easily get all of Oscar's food and treats at Kroger. The store's selection is very extensive, and I can get food, treats, and toys without having to make another stop at the pet store.

Make sure you spread holiday love to your furry friends with the help of Purina! Now through the end of November, take advantage of great savings on your favorite Purina pet products available at Kroger with this Coupons.com link, while supplies last!

For more tips and holiday inspiration for your K9s and Felines, click here. Share comments about your furry pet below!

Not to be taken as professional veterinary advice. Please consult your veterinarian for recommendations and practices appropriate for your pet