Dog Safety Tips for the Holidays

With the holidays just around the corner and the festive season ahead, time spent with family and friends is likely in your future. For your dog, that means new sights, smells, people, décor, and food will be in their environment, making safety extremely important.

We’ve outlined some tips you can use to make the holidays a safe and enjoyable time for everyone, including your furry family member.

DOG-SAFE FOOD

Food often brings people together during the holidays, but for pups, straying from their typical diet and giving them food that is deemed unsafe for pets can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening, health issues.

No matter how convincing their puppy-dog eyes may be, these are some of the holiday-themed foods you may find on your table that you should not share with your furry friend:

Onions and other alliums (garlic, shallots, leeks, scallions, chives)
Seasoned turkey and turkey skin
Gravy
Macadamia nuts, walnuts, pecans, pistachios
Pumpkin pie
Mashed potatoes with added ingredients
Stuffing and casseroles
Grapes/raisins
Chocolate
Items with xylitol (can be found in sugar-free peanut butter and desserts)
Certain herbs and spices like oregano and cinnamon
Leftover bones (choking hazards and can easily splinter when ingested)
Corn on the cob

It is important to keep in mind that while some human food can be safe for dogs to eat this holiday season, it may only be healthy for them to consume in small quantities, such as ham (due to its high sodium and fat content), certain dairy products, plain cranberries, broccoli, etc. Additionally, some food can be a choking hazard, so it is important to provide your pup with bite-sized pieces and to monitor them when they eat.

As for the food they can enjoy, plain, cooked pumpkin, carrots, peas, plain potatoes, and sweet potatoes can add a festive touch and extra nutrients to their bowl; unseasoned turkey without bones and skin can offer a great source of protein and B vitamins; and plain apples and carrots can provide fiber and vitamins. It is always best to get the green light from your vet before introducing new food to your pup’s diet.

BE MINDFUL OF HOLIDAY DÉCOR

Decorating for the holidays can be a highlight for many this time of year, but if you have a furry friend in your life, it may take some rearranging, replacing, or securing to create a dog-safe environment.

Christmas tree: From hanging branches to delicate ornaments, tinsel, and more, Christmas trees can be a hazard to dogs who could jump on them and lead to a shattered mess on the floor. If your pup frequents the room where you’ve placed your tree, you can either add a puppy gate around it, arrange ornaments higher up on the tree, opt for shatter-proof ornaments, or all the above. Keep an eye on your dog when they’re around the tree to avoid it toppling over.
Candles: Whether you have festive-scented candles around your home or are celebrating Hannukah, open flames can be dangerous around dogs. It is best to keep any candles away from your dog’s reach or sweeping tail and consider faux-flame options to help create that cozy holiday atmosphere.
Scents: If you have candles burning, an essential oil diffuser going, or potpourri around your home, it is important to be mindful of the scent. When it comes to essential oils, cinnamon, peppermint, pine, tea tree, and others can be harmful, as the oil and water diffuse into the air and can land on your dog, leading to potential ingestion, respiratory problems, and skin irritation. Additionally, always check to see if the candles in your home are made from paraffin wax, as this could lead to toxins being released when burned, which can harm dogs.
Hanging lights and extension cords: Loose or hanging wires can be dangerous for pups, as they could lead to yanking and chewing and increase the risk of shocks or other injuries. Always keep wires up and away from your dog and consider cord solutions like clips or protectors to help reduce potentially dangerous temptations.
Snow globes: While decorative, snow globes can contain ethylene glycol, which is toxic to dogs if ingested. In a split second, a dog’s tail might accidentally knock over an accessible snow globe, so it is best to avoid them or to keep them on high shelves.

DESIGNATE A CALMING SPACE AWAY FROM THE FESTIVITIES

Some dogs can become overstimulated by people, music, loud talking/laughing, décor, and more, so creating a safe space they know they can go to calm down can be helpful. You can think of this space as a chance for your pup to take a “breather” from the festivities.

When overstimulated or suffering from sensory overload, dogs could experience anxiety, excessively bark, or present aggressive behavior. You can look for early signs like panting, lip licking, yawning, pacing, drooling, and more.

Whether in your home or at someone else’s, this space can be personalized for your dog. You can set up (or bring with you) their crate and/or comfy bed, mind-stimulating toys like a treat puzzle or snuffle mat to keep them occupied, and their favorite comfort toy or blanket. You can also put relaxing music on in the background to drown out the noise and help calm your dog down. But not just any music—a study found that when dogs listen to classical music, their stress and agitation levels decrease, and they spend less time barking and pacing.

KEEP YOUR DOG’S COLLAR ON WHEN GUESTS ARE OVER

With guests frequently coming in and out of your home during holiday gatherings, it’s easy for your front door to be left open; this can create opportunities for your dog to run outside. While keeping your pup away from the front door when guests arrive and leave is important, accidents can happen quickly. To help others identify your dog in the unfortunate event that they escape, try to keep your pup’s collar on with an updated identification tag.

SUPERVISE YOUR DOG AROUND NEW TOYS

Gift-giving is especially fun when the recipient is an adorable pup! If your friends or family gift a dog toy to your furry family member this season, be sure to look for any small batteries or loose parts that could be a choking hazard before giving it to them to play with.

It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your pup while they play, especially with new toys. If any of your friends or family are looking for toy suggestions to give your dog, toys made from durable material, sturdy rope, KONG toys, and puzzle toys are always great options to add to their wish list.

CREATE DOG-FREE ZONES IN YOUR HOME

If you know there will be items around your home that could be potentially dangerous around your dog, such as décor, gifts, or certain food, you can prep beforehand by creating dog-free zones. Adding dog gates, for instance, and letting your guests know that your pup can’t be in certain areas of your home can create an added element of safety to your gatherings. Keep in mind that doing this may require some planning and rearranging so your dog can still roam freely in other areas.

MAINTAIN SAFETY ON THE ROAD

If you and your pup will be traveling to holiday get-togethers, maintaining their safety in the car is essential. Consider getting a harness that works with your car’s seatbelts. Look for a harness that fits comfortably and securely and has passed safety inspections. The Sleepypod Clickit Sport car harness is an excellent option, as it has been crash-tested according to U.S., Canadian, and E.U. child safety standards, among other safety measures.

While it may seem like letting your dog loose in the car can help them feel more free and less closed in, especially on long drives, it can lead to a variety of safety concerns like distraction or physical injury in the unfortunate but unpredictable event an accident occurs. In fact, securing pets in a moving vehicle is required by law in some areas. Keeping pups secure in the car and taking breaks as needed is important for ensuring both their safety and your peace of mind. For more car and road trip tips to ensure a comfortable ride for your dog, click here.

BOARD YOUR DOG DURING THE HOLIDAYS

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, having your dog by your side may not always be possible, no matter how much we want them there. Whether you are attending holiday parties at other friends’ homes, enjoying late nights out and unable to take your dog on their evening walk or maintain their routine, or you know your dog can experience sensory overload when there are a lot of people in your house, boarding can be an excellent solution.

At Dogtopia, we understand this time of year can be stressful for both you and your furry family member. That’s why we offer convenient short- and long-term overnight stays where dogs can board and enjoy all the fun that daycare provides during the day and have a comfortable and restful sleep at night.

Our team of doggie experts know how to keep pups active so they never feel bored, and our safe indoor playroom environment provides a clean, supervised space where your dog will play with others who match their size and personality. And when you’re missing your dog, you can check in on them with our playroom webcams, available on our app or website.

Contact a Dogtopia near you to book your dog’s boarding stay. Happy holidays!

This blog was reviewed/edited by Dogtopia’s Director of Health & Safety Lorraine Rhoads, an experienced animal biologist and environmental scientist.