The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be stressful for everyone, including your pet. The countless parties, frequent house guests can add unnecessary pressure at a joyful time.
Pet expert Charlotte Reed joined Good Day Atlanta on Wednesday with tips to enjoy a stress-free holiday with your pet!
If your normally calm dog gets fidgety whenever guests come over, treat him to a soothing peppermint paw massage before company arrives. Warm 1 tsp. of food-grade peppermint oil (located in the supermarket's baking aisle) in the microwave for 30 seconds, and gently rub it into your pooch's paws. The fragrance of peppermint oil is invigorating and has a calming effect to relieve stress and tension when applied topically. As a result, your pooch will stay calm and quiet when guests arrive. It's safe for his skin and safe if he licks some off. Avoid using if your dog is pregnant.
2. Pet digestive problems are one of the top reasons pets visit the vet
The smell of the holiday meal can whip up your four-legged friend into a food frenzy, causing him to overturn or climb into the garbage bin. Secure your garbage can at all times to prevent unwanted emergency visits and unnecessary expenses.
3. Keep your dog or cat away from the holiday tree
The presence of the holiday tree with its shiny ornaments can cause lots of feline and canine temptations. To prevent your pet from drinking the water or climbing on the tree, cover the water bowl with foil to prevent pet access. Additionally, fill a 3 oz. spray bottle with water and 5-7 drops of cinnamon oil and spray the base of the tree every three days. Cats and dogs do not like the smell of cinnamon, so they will stay away from the tree. The added perk is that your house will smell festive too!
4. Healthy holiday Intake
During the holidays, we all have to watch what we eat, including our pets. It's inevitable that holiday guests will sneak your furry friend a tidbit or two. Your strategy is to keep overfeeding at bay by supplying health pet snacks for guests to feed and by cutting down on your pet's regular meals to avoid weight gain.
5. Control pesky parasites
To ensure your home is an inviting, comfortable and healthy place to sojourner for your holiday house guests, continue with your dog's flea and tick medication prior to the arrival of your guests. The number of generic, vet-quality flea and tick products on the market makes giving your pets flea and tick protection throughout the year economical and easy.
6. What do when you forget to purchase cat litter?
Potting soil makes for a great alternative to cat litter if you're in a pinch! It is soft on kitty paws and free of bugs. If your pet engages inappropriate elimination, get to the store immediately for your pet's favorite brand.
7. Quick clean for dirty dogs
Your stinky pooch could really use a bath before your holiday guests arrive. To avoid a wet dog in the house, make a dry shampoo by combining 2 cups of cornstarch (to absorb oil), ½ cup of baking soda (to deodorize) and ½ cup of salt (to loosen dirt and debris). If you want, add a few drops of lavender oil to the mixture, then place your dog in the tub, sprinkle the mixture all over his coat and massage into his fur.
Leave on for 10 minutes, massaging him and bribing him with healthy treats like carrots to keep him still. Avoid getting mixture in his eyes and mouth. Brush the dry shampoo from his coat and wash the mixture down the drain. Dry shampoo can be used on cats but do not add the essential oils as it is harmful to them.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's also a great time to thank veterans for their service to our country—veterans just like World War II American hero Lew Fern.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:31 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:31:33 GMT
You've probably been to a yard sale or two in your life, and you might have found some great deals. But would you know how to get the most out of your own yard sale?
You've probably been to a yard sale or two in your life, and you might have found some great deals. But would you know how to get the most out of your own yard sale? Good Day's Tacoma Perry talked to an expert who shared some great tips for how to make your yard sale a huge hit.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:27:37 GMT
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:37:15 GMT
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person.
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person. But Paul turned up the heat when he enlisted the help of two actresses from the new movie Operation Heat to play a little prank on his unsuspecting coworkers.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:30:53 GMT
Does your summer road trip include mouth-watering stops at mom-and-pop eateries? Ours does, and it'll be even better with the help of a new Southern Living book!
Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings is dedicated to finding the best meals in the south-- and it features some great restaurants right here in north Georgia. Good Day's Paul Milliken checked out two of those gems-- The Hil in Serenbe, and Weaver D's in Athens! As usual, he didn't leave hungry.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:17:14 GMT
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show. But first, she stopped by Good Day to cook us up one of her favorite recipes.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
