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40 Fort Campbell Families-Winter When making holiday plans consider your pets health needs. Here five veterinary ex- perts weigh in on steps to keep pets happy and healthy amid the hubbub. Resist Those Pleading Eyes According to veterinary nutritionist Dr. Dottie LaFlamme high-calorie tidbits contribute to caloric overload and bad habits while lacking necessary nutrient balance. Just one teaspoon of beef fat can contain almost twice the calories a small dog should consume in daily treats LaFlamme notes adding that feeding from the table also pro- motes begging behavior. If you must give pets a treat feed it in their bowl after the meal to help with portion control. Avoid Holiday Hazards The holidays can be toxic to pets. Chocolate poisoning is one of the most common acci- dents during the holidays according to veteri- nary critical care specialist and toxicologist Dr. Justine Lee. Other food foes include grapes raisins bones unbaked yeast bread dough al- cohol and xylitol a common sugar substitute. Likewise Potpourri liquid contains deter- gents that can cause severe ulcers and burns in a cats mouth while tinsel can act as a se- vere linear foreign body when stuck in a cats stomach and intestines she explains. If youre hosting ensure houseguests pet- proof pill bottles. Take preventive measures Owners often experience a false sense of security about parasite prevention when the weather turns cooler. However the holidays are no time to take a break from heartworm prevention even though heartworms are spread by infected mosquitoes says veterinary parasitologist Dr. Patricia Payne. Why Because preventives work retroactively on heartworm larvae acquired earlier in the sea- son. Theres no way to accurately predict past or future transmission so the American Heart- worm Society recommends year-round heart- worm prevention for dogs and cats she explains. Make sure to put a reminder on your holiday calendar to give routine monthly pre- ventives to pets. Give the gift of activity When we removed hunting from pets daily lives we reduced their physical and mental ac- tivity explains veterinary behaviorist Dr. Jacqueline Neilson. When pets lack mental stimulation they can become bored and de- pressed and often create their own stimulating activities such as chewing items or barking at passersby. Beat this concern with food puzzles and toys that require pets to work play or hunt. Consider your pets personality when choosing holiday gifts says Neilson. If your dog likes to chew things a food toy that needs to be squeezed between the jaws may be ideal. Herding breeds may prefer a toy they can nudge. Travel prep An estimated 30 million people travel with their pets annually and holidays are primetime for hitting the road. Flying Check your airlines pet requirements. For car travel invest in a car- rier. Your pet will appreciate a safe haven while traveling says Dr. Robert Stannard who rec- ommends adding a favorite blanket to provide a sense of familiarity. Travel bowls favorite toys and medications are necessities not luxuries. Just be careful not to overfeed. Like us pets can get motion sickness says Stannard. Dont feed your pet right be- fore leaving and limit food during travel to help prevent digestive upset. With a few precautionary measures your four-legged family members can have a happy healthy holiday season. StatePoint Media 5stepstokeeppetshealthyduringtheholidays