Keeping Your Furry Friend Safe during the Holidays

As the holiday season flies into high gear, most of us take the opportunity to take part in the festive atmosphere created by this great time of year. We put up Christmas trees and bright lights; we decorate with gorgeous poinsettias; we put some fun winter clothes on our favorite furry friends; and some of us take part in the time-honored tradition of eating lots and lots of chocolate. This time of year is exciting, but it should not be hazardous.

Chocolate, lights, a tree in the house…the potential for dog trouble is high. When we decorate our houses, we need to keep our pets in mind. The bright, cheery poinsettias are actually quite toxic for dogs and children. If you want to use them in your home, put them on a shelf or mantle where they are safely out of reach for both. Other Christmas greens can be toxic, so make sure to keep them high as well. Another thing to keep up on a shelf: candles. The soft glow of a candle is perfect for this time of year, but it is almost certain your pooch will make a beeline for it. Keep everyone safe and keep them out of reach, or use electric candles.

During the holiday season, many people bake, and many people give these baked goods to you. These yummy treats should be kept from your pets. Don’t set them on a table where your hungry dog won’t be able to resist the temptation. These types of food can cause stomach upset because your dog is not used to them. Further, chocolate (particularly dark chocolate) are dangerous for your pup.

If you have a Christmas tree, your dog may be very interested. He’ll sniff around your ornaments; he may try to take a bite or two. Keep very small ornaments and tinsel higher on the tree. An intrepid dog may even try to climb the tree or knock it over: make sure it is secure so you don’t have a room full of broken decorations and a very sad dog.

During this time of year, you may have a lot of guests coming and going. If your dog is nervous around strangers, try putting him in a back room with his favorite toys. Putting him in his crate for an hour or so will also be fine. If your dog is perfectly comfortable with guests, make sure no one slips him some treats from the table and that no one lets him out inadvertently when the door opens.

You may also be doing the visiting yourself; if so, make sure your dog has plenty of exercise and attention before you leave. The season may be hectic, but your dog will thrive if he is on a consistent schedule and you take some quick precautions.