5 Holiday Safety Tips for your Dog
The holidays are a great time for gift giving, celebrating and spending time with family. However, amid the merriment there are may be some dangers lurking that could harm your dog. So whether you’re having a large get together or just an intimate family celebration, here are some things to try to avoid for your pup.
Trees and Plants
For some during the holidays, the central decoration is a Christmas tree in the living room. As beautiful as they can be, for a dog, the look and smell of that tree is both a source of confusion and temptation. The danger is that those tree branches have a toxic oil in them that can be released if chewed on, any fallen needles can irritate your pup’s sensitive paws when walked on, and the shiny decorations can be a choking hazard.
Other popular holiday decorations include fresh holly and mistletoe. While both plants are quite pretty, they both feature harmful red berries. If your dog eats them, they can cause dehydration, diarrhea and vomiting. If you have a curious dog, using fake decorations may avoid any of the hassles.
Holiday Feast
For humans, holiday feasts are filled with tasty delights both as snacks and dinner. However, for dogs, a lot of the most popular holiday foods are dangerous. Turkey and ham skin is filled with dangerous levels of sodium for your pup. Even the ever-popular stuffing is dangerous for dogs as it may include harmful levels of garlic or onions.
Yummy holiday snacks are filled with nuts like cashews, walnuts and pecans. Unfortunately, these nuts are high in the type of fat that your dog doesn’t need. In addition, they are difficult for your pup to digest and process. Some favorite holiday snacks can also include chocolate which is poisonous for dogs, even in moderation.
Gift Giving
The giving and receiving of gifts is one of the best parts of the holidays. They are also tempting packages of joy for your pup. Wrapping paper, ribbons and bows are all possible choking hazards and can cause internal blockages if swallowed by your dog.
Whether you are busy wrapping gifts before the holidays or opening gifts on Christmas morning, be sure to clean up any mess as soon as possible before your pup decides to make a meal out of the leftover paper.
Candles and Lights
Whether for ambience or for celebration, candles are a big part of the holidays. To keep both your dog and your house safe, it’s best to keep any candles above tail-wagging range so there are no fiery accidents.
For any electric lights, be aware that curious dogs can get tangled up in the wiring while they investigate the flashy bulbs. If they decide to chew on the wiring they could get a nasty shock or even worse, could cause a fire.
Ringing in The New Year
Large gatherings tend to happen on New Year’s Eve. Some dogs may not feel all that social during these occasions, so make sure to give them an area to themselves with access to fresh water, food and their toys.
Your dog’s sensitive ears may also not enjoy typical New Year’s Eve noisemakers like poppers or horns. If any of your guests plan on using them to help ring in the New Year, ask them to do so outside as those loud sounds may startle and panic your pup.
Keeping all these tips in mind will make the holidays as stress-free as possible for you and your pup. If you need a safe and fun alternative for your pup during the holidays, we’re here to help. Dogtopia offers reliable daycare and overnight boarding services, allowing you to treat your pup to a fun-filled day that will leave them happy and ready for a restful night of sleep in a home-away-from-home. Learn more about our dog boarding services, or contact us for more information.
