Holiday Pet Sitting: Book Early, and Keep These Foods Away from Pets

I love the holidays. We even had matching family Christmas pajamas with Lucy! I'd dress her up a little for Halloween and other holidays too, and of course take lots of pictures. If you'd like, I'm happy to send you a photo of your pet in something festive while you're away.

The holidays are also the busiest time of year for pet sitters, and a time when a few extra hazards sneak into the house. Here's how to keep your pets safe and happy this season.

Book your sitter early

Thanksgiving through New Year's fills up fast, often weeks ahead. As soon as your travel plans are set, reach out. If we haven't met yet, we'll want time for a meet & greet before you go.

Foods to keep away from pets

Holiday tables are full of things that smell amazing to a dog and aren't good for them.

• Chocolate, especially dark and baking chocolate.
• Xylitol, a sweetener in some sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods and peanut butter.
• Grapes, raisins and currants, including in stuffing and fruitcake.
• Gingerbread houses and edible decorations, which sit right at nose height and are full of sugar and spices. My Lucy got into one once, and it meant a trip to the vet. That story is here.
• Onions, garlic, leeks and chives, which show up in gravy and stuffing.
• Cooked bones, which can splinter, and fatty scraps like turkey skin.
• Alcohol and raw yeast dough.

Plants and decorations

• Lilies are very dangerous for cats, even just the pollen.
• Mistletoe, holly and some other seasonal plants can upset tummies or worse.
• Tinsel, ribbon and string are so tempting to cats, and can cause serious problems if swallowed.
• Anchor the tree so a curious pup or a climbing cat can't knock it over, and tuck cords out of reach.

Hosting at home?

Give your pet a quiet room to retreat to, ask guests not to share their plates, and keep an eye on the front door so nobody slips out while everyone's saying hello.

Just in case

Keep your vet's number and the nearest 24-hour emergency vet handy. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can help too (a consultation fee may apply).

If you're traveling this season, I'd love to help. Ask me about holiday availability, and take a peek at my checklist for getting ready for a sitter. Happy holidays from me and all my furry friends!

Walks for Lucy offers dog walking, drop-in visits and overnight dog sitting in Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Ashburn, Great Falls, Vienna, Oakton, Fairfax, Chantilly, Centreville and McLean, with overnight pet sitting in Leesburg. See the full service area.

General pet care information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your pet's health, call your vet.