The holiday season is full of excitement, but it can also present unexpected hazards for your furry friends. Keep these tips in mind to help keep your dog safe and stress-free this holiday season!
Take a look at your decorations from your dog’s perspective
All that sparkly stuff can be quite tempting. Keep any delicate ornaments out of reach to prevent cuts or ingestion. A fragile figure on a coffee table could be sent flying by a wagging tail. (Not to mention glassware!)
Tinsel, plastic berries, ribbons and garlands can all be choking hazards, or cause intestinal blockages, so it’s best to keep those up high, or choose other types of decorations.
If there’s a chance your pet might try to chew some of those electrical cables, make sure they are covered up!
Candles are a big part of the season, but for obvious reasons you should never leave them unattended—with or without your dog around.
Keep toxic items out of reach
Chocolate, alcohol, raisins, and macadamia nuts are all toxic to dogs. When giving your pup a special treat, stick to dog-friendly snacks. When serving treats to guests, make sure foods with these ingredients don’t get left unattended for an opportunistic pup to grab.
Poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly are also toxic if ingested, so choose pet-safe holiday plants. If a guest brings you a plant as a gift, give it a safe place where your pets can’t give it a nibble.
Make sure you monitor interactions
Create a quiet retreat for your dog with their bed and some toys where they can relax if they feel overwhelmed. Give them the freedom to come and go on their own terms, and they’ll be far less stressed!
Keep watch while your pet interacts with guests—especially children—to ensure your dog feels safe and secure. Remember that bites never come out of nowhere. Teach visiting kids how to safely interact with a dog if they need a refresher.
Consider the extra cold-weather risks
Keep outdoor time brief during extreme cold, and be sure to wipe down their paws to remove and salt or other ice-melting chemicals afterward. Paw balm or even dog boots could help protect those sensitive paw pads from cuts and other sores.
Mop up any spills of anti-freeze, and be sure to store it where your pets can’t sniff it out. Anti-freeze may not sound like a delicious drink to you, but it actually has a sweet taste that tempts dogs and cats, and it’s highly toxic.
Keep emergency numbers handy!
No one wants to end up at the emergency vet over the holidays. Follow these tips, and make sure you know what to do in case of an emergency. For starters, put the number for the Pet Poison Helpline in your phone: 1-800-213-6680