Preparing Your Home for the "Howlidays"

Hey Everyone!

The Christmas shopping ads are airing on television, Santa Paws is coming to Bigwag this Saturday and you can't miss the Christmas decorations on the shelves at stores across NWA.  It definitely seems that the holidays are upon us.  And while that's stressful to us, it can also be stressful to our pets (although not because they're looking for that perfect gift...) Linda Kosecki of our local Bentonville Camp Bow Wow was generous enough to allow me to post their tips for prepping for the Howliday here.

Prepping for the Howlidays

Contributed by Linda Kosecki, owner, Camp Bow Wow 

As most of us decorate and prepare for holiday guests, friends and family, making sure the house is safe and pet-friendly should still be top of mind. Here are some suggestions below on how you can puppy proof your home and also fun ways to entertain your pet indoors so everyone can enjoy the festive holiday season together!

When puppy proofing your home for the holidays, remember to:

• Tidy-up electrical cords/wires: Dogs love chew toys so don’t entice them with a ball of wires from the holiday lights or extra extension cords lying around. Choose to zip-tie the cords together so they are kept neat and tucked behind furniture. Also, cord covers are a great idea for those extension cords running along the floor.

• See what your dog can get into by getting down on the floor. Be careful with floor plants as some can be harmful to your pets if eaten and keep low cabinet doors closed at all times.

• Have a variety of chew toys and stuffed animals for your pet to play with that are NOT the same colors as your holiday decorations. Think bright, neon colors so not only your four-legged friend know the difference, but you can easily spot when they aren't playing with the right toy.

• If you rearrange your home during the holidays, be careful what furniture is included in the play area. As dogs get excited they get clumsier and a new arrangement of furniture will create a different traffic pattern for them to get used to!

For more information on Camp Bow Wow, visit their website!