Ho, ho, ho! As Christmas draw near, we bet many of you and your favorite furballs are busy gearing up for a holiday filled with lots of cheer, festivities, and some very yummy food and treats. From family dinners to parties with friends {furry ones included!}, your holiday schedule can look different than what your pet may be used to. Despite the craziness of the holiday season, it’s important to keep your pet’s health on the right track. Sticking with tried-and-true methods, here are three simple yet vital ways to keep your pets happy and healthy during the holidays. Paws what you’re doing (see what we did there?) and take a second to read our tips…

1. Keep Toxic Holiday Foods Away

It might be tempting to give your pets a bite or two of those delicious dishes you're whipping up in the kitchen. Those big, round puppy-dog eyes can melt your heart in a second—but that’s exactly when you need to stay vigilant and be strict! Having your pets consume any of the following items can be toxic to their bodies or at least wreak havoc with their digestive systems:

• Alcohol
• Onions and chives
• Chocolate
• Caffeine
• Macadamia Nuts & Black Walnuts
• Grapes & Raisins
• Avocado
• Milk & Dairy
• Yeast Dough
• Xylitol

It can be chaotic at times, especially if you’re cooking or baking a lot, so do your best to be mindful of the foods you leave out or consume when you’re around your pets. This is especially important for those pets that love to try and swipe a cookie off the plate when you’re not looking.

2. Exercise

This seems like a no-brainer, but it can be deceptively easy to forget your pet’s normal walking schedule, play time, and exercise when you’ve got a jam-packed schedule. If you’re strapped for time, try asking some of your family members or friends to help out with pet duties. That way your pet is getting the daily exercise they need to stay active and keep their tails wagging. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a snow day {if possible!}, or a play date with another furry friend, it can certainly keep your pet in tip-top shape.

3. Consider Adding A Supplement For Digestion And Stress Relief 

We understand that inevitably your pet may eat something that isn’t good for their tummy. Whether they’ve stolen it off a plate or munched on something that fell on the floor, managing your pet’s health is always at the top of your list of to-dos. Furthermore, with lots of new faces around your home and a barrage of events, the heightened activity can stress your pet out from all the face time. Using supplements is a wonderful way to support your pet’s digestive system and health.

The Missing Link® Pet Kelp® powder supplements are limited ingredient, organic formulas and contain probiotics and dietary fibers to promote a healthy digestive system -- and are available in a Probiotic blend for dogs and a Wellness formula for cats so you can keep all of your fur kids purring and wagging.  Collagen Care ™ Calm & Focus Chews include a blend of chamomile, L-Theanine, collagen, and broad-spectrum hemp to promote relaxation and focus - perfect for helping your pup cope with new visitors, unusual schedules and extra noise and confusion.

How will you spend the holidays this year?

Let us know below and happy holidays!

Photos: The Missing Link