Though temperatures have been relatively mild thus far, we will likely experience winter weather and brutal cold during the next few months. Whether you have indoor or outdoor pets and livestock, it is important to take precautions and make preparations their care during the winter.

In Asheville, winter weather can occur as late as March and April. In this article, we will begin a two-part series on eight tips for what to do with your pets during winter.

The holidays afford unique opportunities to spend time with friends and family you may not see often during the year. However, for pet owners, it is always challenging to determine how best to care for our furry family members while we travel for vacation. We find ourselves scrambling at the last minute to make less-than-ideal arrangements for our pets.

With holiday travel approaching, we want to help pet owners think through what to do with pets while on vacation. In this article, we will discuss six things for pet owners to consider when leaving their homes for holiday vacation.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but keep your pets away from holly. With proper care, you can ring in the holiday season and keep your pet from harm.

Prevent Pet Injuries

• Be sure your Christmas tree is securely anchored so it can’t fall over on your pets.
• Keep those little lights from twinkling around pets, especially unattended candles. Pets may burn themselves on open flame or hot wax, and they could start a fire.

There are many decorative elements that can cause injury, such as tinsel, wires, batteries and glass/plastic ornaments. Pets may ingest tinsel or pieces of decorations, causing tummy troubles. Batteries and wires can also shock or burn a pet’s mouth.