How to Keep Your Dog Safe During Holiday Celebrations

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Hello there, fellow fur parents!

Season greeting!

I know the holidays are a time for gift-giving and celebration with our family and friends, but this time of year can cause stress and anxiety for our dogs.

With all the preparations going on, many things can harm our dogs during the most festive season.

This article will share you tips on how you can keep your dog safe and happy during the holidays!

Keep the decorations out of your dog's reach.

Have you tried putting your holiday decorations on, and not an hour later, your dogs are already playing with your Christmas balls and tinsels?

This could be frustrating, but decorating the house during the holidays is a well-planned tradition I am sure we could never forego.

However, our dogs might develop severe health problems if they ingest toxic holiday decorations. That is why you always need to take the necessary precautions when decorating your house because your dog might choke on tiny ornaments.

For instance, injecting small Christmas balls might block their digestive tract, resulting in discomfort, nausea, and difficulty defecating or passing gas.

Next time you put on your decors, always keep them out of the dog's reach by placing them on high shelves or in inaccessible areas. Keeping an eye on the dog at all times and stowing decorations in pet-proof containers are all good practices to prevent any accidents.

Also, you can put a fence around your tree or keep your dog out of the living room. This way, you can enjoy the holidays without fearing for your decorations and dogs.

Wrap and hide electrical cords securely to avoid electrical shock.

Are you ready to take your light up your house?

If you do, please remember that dogs might get a nasty shock if it chews on an electrical cord or wire, making it extremely dangerous.

Especially this holiday season, when extra lights and other electrical decorations may be used, safely wrapping and concealing electrical wires is vital. Some techniques I usually do in securing and concealing wires and cables are as follows:

Keep the wires out of the way by laying them under the floor covers or onto the ceiling.
Protect the cords from being chewed by using cord covers or conduits.
Hide cords under furniture or other obstacles the dog can't jump over.
Put wires in concealed spaces like closets or behind drapes.

But fair warning, concealing the wire is not enough; always watch your dog closely throughout the holidays to avoid accidents. And if your dog receives an electrical shock, it requires prompt medical attention.

Do not give your dogs chocolate or other toxic foods.

With the holiday season comes abundant holiday foods!

Did you know that some foods can be dangerous for their health?

That’s right!

Because these foods can cause severe reactions in your dogs like:

vomiting
diarrhea
tremors
seizures
and even death.

To keep your pup safe, it's best to avoid giving them any toxic treats, especially during holidays when tempting goodies might be lying around. Here are some of them:

Chocolate
Grapes and raisins
Food with garlic and onions
Avocados
Nuts
Candies and gums

If you think your dog has gotten into something toxic, essential to take action immediately and reach out to a vet.

Ensure that alcohols are not within your dog's reach.

Alcohol can be all around during the holiday season!

But fur parents, please beware!

Because even a tiny amount of alcohol can be super dangerous for our furry friends!

It can lead to:

vomiting
poisoning
diarrhea
breathing issues
and even comas or death.

Here's what you can do to keep your pup safe:

Proper storage. Store alcohol in secure places like cabinets or on high shelves.
Instruct guests. Let guests know not to leave drinks lying around.
Watch out. Keep a close eye on your dog and any drinks that are out.
Go to the vet. You should get them to the vet ASAP if your dog has consumed alcohol.
Early treatment. Quick treatment is critical for dogs suffering from alcohol poisoning.
Severity. The severity of your dog’s symptoms will depend on the type and amount of alcohol and the size and breed of your dog.

Provide a quiet escape for your dog during loud or chaotic events.

You know what?

Holidays can be chaotic and loud, and stressful for our furry friends. So, giving them a peaceful and safe place to retreat to while holiday festivities are in order is always a good idea.

Here are some things that can help:

Safe spot. Create a cozy and secure spot for them to sleep or hang out in.
White noise. Use white noise or soothing music to block out any loud noises.
Provide toys. Surround them with things they love, like toys, treats, or familiar scents.
Watch out. Monitor your pup during noisy events to ensure they're not getting too stressed out.
If they are showing signs of anxiety, take them out of the situation and give them some love and comfort.

Make sure all doors and windows are secure to prevent escape.

When dogs get too excited or scared, they try to escape. To keep our furry friends safe, we must keep all exits tight.

Here's what you can do:

Childproof locks. Install childproof locks or latches on doors and windows,
Close doors and windows. Don't open the door or window when the dog is around.
Keep an eye. Keep a close eye on your dogs near open doors or windows.
Grates or screens. Put grates or screens on windows so they can't get out, and
Observe behavior. Monitor any changes in their behavior that might indicate stress or anxiety.
Instruct guest. Remind guests to keep the doors and windows closed and locked when your dog is around.
Track them. Track your dogs down immediately when they are lost.
Identification. Always ensure they have updated identification with them, or you may also use GPS trackers or microchips.

Keep toxic plants out of your dog's reach.

Before going crazy about decorating your home, I just wanted to give you a heads-up about some holiday plants that could be hazardous to your furry friend, such as:

poinsettias
holly
mistletoe
and lilies.

Keeping these plants out of your reach is best to keep your pup safe. You can do this by simply putting them on high shelves or in rooms that are off-limits to your dog.

If you're looking for holiday decor that's safe for your pup, consider Christmas cacti or pine trees instead!

Avoid leaving lit candles unattended where dogs can reach them.

Did you know that candles can significantly harm our furry friends?

It can be really harmful if a candle gets knocked over or a dog gets too close to the flame.

That's why it's essential never to leave a burning candle unattended where a pet can access it.

One solution is to put candles on high shelves or tabletops where dogs can't reach them. But even better, you could keep candles in rooms where the dog isn't allowed to go.

If you're looking for a safer option, why not try wax-free candles powered by batteries or LED torches?

It's super important to remember that when you're lighting candles, you need to observe all safety precautions. Keep candles away from flammable objects, drafts, and, of course, your pets!

Put out any candles when you leave the room or go to bed to keep your home and pets safe from accidental fires.

Make sure the dog has identification in case they escape.

Did you know that dogs can get loose with all the extra noise and people around during the holidays?

That's why ensuring your furry friend is easily identifiable is crucial.

An excellent way to do this is by having a well-fitted collar with an ID tag with your dog's name and updated contact information.

Another great option is to have a microchip implanted under their skin, which can be easily read by a vet or animal control officer to reveal your details. You can also get a GPS collar for your dog for easier tracking.

Just remember to keep your dog's identification information up to date and have a recent photo handy in case you need to make flyers or post on social media to help find your lost pup.

Avoid giving bones as a treat, as they can splinter and cause blockages.

Hey, are you aware that bones can be harmful to dogs when given as a treat? It's true! My vet told me so. When bones are ingested, they can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract and lead to severe issues like obstructions, rips, or punctures. Yikes!

Instead of giving your furry friend bones, why not try other tasty treats?

For example, you could try the following:

commercial dog treats
carrots
green beans
and cucumbers
chicken
turkey
or beef.

Help keep your pup healthy and happy all year round, especially during the holidays by avoiding bones and making smart treat choices!

Make sure the dog has access to water, especially during hot weather.

Ensure your dog always has access to clean water, especially during hot and busy times like the holidays. You can also spread a few bowls of water throughout the house so your pup never has to go without a drink.

And, if you're planning on taking a holiday with your dog, don't forget to bring a portable water bowl and enough water for your furry companion.

Watch for signs of dehydration in your dog, such as:

sluggishness
dry lips
sunken eyes
and loss of skin elasticity.

If you see any of these signs, ensure your dog gets plenty of water immediately and, if necessary, seek veterinary attention.

Avoid using tinsel on Christmas trees, which can cause blockages if ingested.

It's always fun to decorate our trees, but there's one thing to be careful about when it comes to our furry friends - tinsels!

You see, tinsel can be dangerous for dogs if ingested because it can cause blockages in their digestive tract which can be serious and even require surgery.

So, to keep our dogs safe, avoiding using tinsel on the Christmas tree is best. Instead, let's opt for other festive decorations like ornaments, lights, and garlands. And it's essential to ensure the tree is secure so it won't tip over.

Don't let the guests feed your dog too many treats, as it can upset their stomachs.

I know it's great that your guests want to treat your furry friend during the holidays, but we want to ensure we keep them healthy, right?

Giving your dog too many treats can cause serious digestive problems, like:

vomiting
diarrhea
or abdominal pain.

Why not suggest some healthy and nutritious snacks for your guests to give to your dog, like carrots, green beans, or lean meat?

This way, your dog gets a treat and stays healthy at the same time.

It's also important to let your guests know that overfeeding can harm your dog so that they can understand the importance of moderation.

Avoid leaving sharp objects lying around that the dog could step on.

It's great that you're considering keeping your furry friend safe during the holidays. You're right, sharp objects can be a danger to dogs, especially during this time of year when there may be more of them around.

To keep your pup from getting hurt, here are a few things you can do:

Keep them away. Lock away sharp items like scissors, blades, and shattered glass. This will ensure your dog can't get to them and accidentally hurt themselves.
Clean up. Clean up sharp objects right away. If something breaks, make sure to pick it up right away so your dog doesn't step on it and get injured.

Ensure all guests know the rules for interacting with the dog to avoid accidents.

To ensure everyone stays safe and happy, laying down some ground rules for how guests should interact with your dog is crucial**.**

First, make sure your dog knows their limits by telling them what is and isn't allowed. Then, let your guests know your dog's preferences, including what treats are safe and which are no-go. Establishing guidelines for interaction, such as avoiding rough play or loud noises, is also crucial.

And, of course, monitor your dog while guests are around to ensure everyone is safe and happy.

By being vigilant and proactive, you can help ensure that your dog stays healthy and happy all year and that you and your family enjoy a festive holiday together!