Holiday Season Safety For Your Dog
It’s the busiest time of the year, and you may be wondering how you can make the holiday season safe and enjoyable for your entire family, including your dogs. As much as holidays are meant to be reminders of the comforts of family and friends, it is also a stressful time for humans and dogs alike. We have compiled a list of ways to create a less stressful holiday season for your furry friends, and to ensure that they enjoy themselves, safely, as well!
Some dogs have anxiety around large groups of people, so if you are hosting a large gathering this year, be aware of your dog’s needs–they may be more comfortable in a quiet room away from loud noises.
If it’s cold outside, do not leave your dog outside for long periods of time.
To make your gathering more comfortable for your guests as well, let them know ahead of time that you have pets in case they may have allergies or fears of certain animals. It also helps to let them know about your pets in case they need to be careful when entering and exiting your home so that pets do not escape through open doors.
Overall, it is safest to not allow your dog to have table scraps or bites of holiday meals. Holiday meals tend to be fatty and contain unsafe elements for dogs, such as bones, chives, citrus fruits, fruit seeds, garlic, grapes, milk, nuts, onions, salt and xylitol. Of course, candy, alcohol and coffee should also be kept away from dogs.
If you’ve opted for a live Christmas tree in your home, be careful that your pets do not ingest any pine needles or the water at the base of the tree–they can both be harmful to pets.
Be careful with lights, candles and tree tinsel around your dog.
If you are traveling, you can have your dog stay home with a sitter, you can board them at a kennel, or you can bring them along with you. Every option has its pros and cons, so make sure to do your research.
See our articles about boarding your dog and tips for traveling with your dog for more information. Thanks so much for reading our Holiday Season Safety List, and don’t forget to check out our Youtube Channel for in-depth information about important dog grooming techniques!