Your Guide to Avoiding These Common Holiday Hazards For Your Fur Baby
Christmas is a time for fun, family, and festivities—but let’s not forget about our furry friends! While we’re busy decorating, cooking, and unwrapping gifts, our dogs might get into things they shouldn’t. Follow these tips to make sure your pup stays safe and happy during the holiday season.
Dos: Things Your Dog Will Thank You For
- Keep Decorations Safe: Put fragile ornaments and shiny objects higher on the tree, away from curious noses and wagging tails. Use shatterproof ornaments at the bottom.
- Give Them a Quiet Spot: Create a cozy area where your dog can escape if the house gets too noisy. A comfy bed and a favorite toy can work wonders!
- Stick to Their Routine: Even with all the excitement, try to keep your dog’s feeding, walking, and bedtime schedule the same. This helps reduce stress.
- Choose Dog-Safe Plants: Poinsettias and mistletoe look festive, but they’re toxic to dogs. Fake greenery is safer and lasts longer!
- Supervise Gift Unwrapping: Wrapping paper, ribbons, and small toys can be choking hazards. Clean up as soon as the gifts are opened.
- Offer Safe Treats: Share the holiday spirit with dog-friendly snacks like plain turkey (no skin or seasoning) or special treats made just for pups.
- Help Them Relax Around Guests: Let visitors know not to feed or tease your dog. Your dog will appreciate the boundaries.
- Burn Off Energy by Taking your dog for a walk or playing a quick game of fetch before the festivities. A tired dog is a happy dog.
Don’ts: Avoid These Holiday Hazards for Keeping Dogs Safe
- Skip Dangerous Foods: Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and fatty leftovers like gravy are all no-go’s for dogs. Keep them out of reach!
- Don’t Leave Candles Unattended: Use flameless candles to avoid accidents with wagging tails or curious snouts.
- Say no to Tinsel. According to the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), Sparkly tinsel may look fun, but it can cause serious health issues if swallowed.
- Don’t Overdo It with Noise: Too much holiday commotion can stress your dog out. Keep the volume down and give them breaks from the action.
- Avoid Uncomfortable Costumes: If your dog isn’t into holiday outfits, don’t force it. A festive collar or bandana is a cute and comfy alternative.
- Watch for Dangling Wires: Loose wires from lights and decorations can be tempting to chew—and that’s not a snack you want them to try.
- Keep Fireworks at Bay: New Year’s fireworks can terrify dogs. Play calming music and stay close to keep them relaxed.
- Watch Out for Salty Hazards: The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), reminds us that ice melt and salt-dough ornaments can be dangerous for dogs. They may look harmless, but ingesting them can cause serious health issues, like electrolyte imbalances. Use pet-safe ice melt to keep your pup protected!
With a little planning, you can make this Christmas merry and bright for everyone—especially your four-legged family member. Happy holidays to you and your pup!
For further reading on our furry friends, check out The Remarkable Comeback of the Ohio Bobcat. These fascinating creatures, often spotted in the state’s southeastern forests, are making an exciting comeback. Discover more about the Ohio bobcat and its incredible journey back to our woods.
