Keep Your Dog Safe During the Holidays
Edited by Mian Sheilette Ong, Eng, Lynn, Laurel Waddell and 1 other
Dogs are often considered to be family members with specialized needs. They have heightened senses and they respond with more intensity than you would in an ordinary situation. During special occasions like the holidays, your dog becomes exposed to many unconventional tastes, sounds, smells, and sights. You may be entertained by fireworks but for them, it's chaos. Candies, chocolates, and other indulgent foods may be delicious to you, but they are also dangerously tempting to them. Glitter and wrappers may be attractive to you, but edible to them. As a responsible pet parent, you have to make sure that they are as safe as the small children are, especially during the holidays. Exert a little effort in making your home doggie-proof so you won't have to knock down your vet's clinic door on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's.
- 1 Common Holiday Issues for Dogs
- 2 Common issues that you may have with dogs during the holidays
- 3 Important Tips on How to Keep Your Dogs Safe During the Holidays
- 4 Some Dog-Safe Celebration Practices
- 5 Things to Remember when Caring for Your Dog during the Holidays
- 6 What to Train your Dog in Advance
- 7 Tips
- 8 Comments
Common Holiday Issues for Dogs
It would really be great if your dog could join in the holiday celebrations the way you do. They could eat and drink whatever they want, enjoy the different loud noises, frolic in the cold weather, and tolerate grand decorations at festive parties. No matter how hard we wish for it, they just won't be able to do so. Dogs are like children. There are certain limits to what they can take. Their senses are much more sensitive than those of humans. That is why they need to be given a whole lot of consideration during the holiday season. Stimuli are heightened during festivities and you have to make sure that your dog is safe, whatever role he has to play during the gathering.
Common issues that you may have with dogs during the holidays
- 1Holidays are always perfect for giving cute little puppies as presents. It benefits a puppy that needs a home and a loved one who needs a companion. Many people make a pretty box with holes in it because a puppy is procured as a present. This could be a very difficult time for the pup. Consider the time he or she is supposed to stay in the box until it is actually opened. It would be better to assemble a puppy kit for your loved one. Afterwards, accompany your loved one to a reputable breeder or shelter to choose the most compatible puppy.Giving dogs as presents.
- 2Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's are only some of the most popular holidays that become fads for dog owners. It is almost irresistible to dress up your dog with elaborate costumes so that they can take part in the fun. Before you decide to make your dog wear anything, make sure that the costume allows your dog to have freedom of movement. See that the costume won't strangle or choke your dog. If your dog is uncomfortable in any of the ones you choose, it may be best to have him or her dress up as him or herself. A fancy, elaborate collar will do.Making dogs wear costumes.
- 3The holiday spirit is not complete without gifts, yarn, twine, cards, tinsel, and sparkling ornaments hanging everywhere. Dogs love these things, but they don't stop at just looking at them. Dog-proof your home by hanging decorations at unreachable heights to your dogs. Place the gifts I,n an elevated area. Never leave decorative bits and pieces on the floor. These maybe decorations and gift elements but if your dog eats them, you may have to end up in the vet on Christmas Eve.Hanging decorations and wrapping up gifts in the house.
- 4Aside from the Fourth of July, New Year's Eve is a time when we get to play with fireworks to ward off evil entities for the New Year. It is one of the busiest holidays in animal shelters because many dogs run away in fear of fireworks. It would be best to keep your dogs away from the fireworks and not force them to watch a show that obviously frightens them.Lighting fireworks.
- 5Holidays allow you to have an excuse for eating anything as much as you can. For your dogs, the challenge is just to convince you to give them some of the indulgent food you have on the table. Foods like candies, chocolates, and alcoholic beverages are toxic for your dogs. It is always ideal to feed your dogs before you start your feasting. This way, they will not beg or snatch food from your guests. Keep cigarettes unreachable to them as well. They are also hazardous to your dog's health.Special foods.
Important Tips on How to Keep Your Dogs Safe During the Holidays
You are an excellent dog owner if you are willing to keep your dog safe during the holidays. Take note of the following reminders so that you and your dog can go through the holidays without a significant level of fear, worry, or injury:
For Loud Noise
- 1It should be the area farthest away from noise.Keep your dog inside a room where he or she feels safe and secure.
For Christmas Trees and Other Decorations
- 1Secure your Christmas tree if you think your dog my jump on it, or if your dog has a powerful wagging tail.
- 2If they reach them, they might end up swallowing the ornaments or cutting themselves with the broken parts.Hang breakable ornaments with small parts in areas that are unreachable for your dogs.
- 3Bacteria are also fixtures in stagnant water. Ultimately, your dogs will get sick if they drink that water.If your have decorative plants in water, place them on a higher surface, especially if you have placed chemicals in the water.
- 4These could block their digestive tract or puncture their vital organs.Place the twine, tinsel, garlands, or ribbons on high surfaces to keep your dog from eating them.
- 5Always clear the floor of pine needles because these are very toxic to dogs as well.
- 6Be aware of lilies, poinsettias, mistletoe (causes heart problems), ivy, holly (causes lethargy, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting), hibiscus (causes diarrhea), and amaryllis (causes both diarrhea and vomiting).Keep holiday plants out of your dog's reach.
- 7These could easily cause accidents, poisoning, fires, or fatalities.Keep extension cords, candles, potpourris, and lights away from your dogs.
For Feasts
- 1Your dog could easily suffer from diarrhea, stomach upset, vomiting, and digestive gland inflammation.Let everyone at the table know that your dog should not be given fatty and rich foods like gravy or turkey skins.
- 2These can obstruct your dog's digestive tract.Be careful not to include the strings in the turkey meat you give your dog.
- 3Do not give foods with onions (causes anemia), raisins/grapes (causes kidney failure), chocolate (causes heart damage, kidney damage, and has theobromine which is toxic), coffee, nicotine (increases heart rate, leading to death), and alcohol.
- 4Do not give any type of bone, especially poultry bones because these can easily perforate the dog's intestinal tract.
- 5Keep leftovers in airtight containers.
- 6Always keep your dog away from the garbage bin.
- 7Keep your veterinarian's number or the animal poison control number ready at all times.
For Stress and Guests
- 1Make sure that the space has water, food, and bedding.Prepare a relaxing room for your dog to escape to when things are getting too busy for them.
- 2Remind your guests to be aware of where they put their cigarettes.
- 3Tell your guests that they are not allowed to give treats to your dog.
- 4It would be best to just watch your door.Make sure that your dog has an identification tag at all times in case the door opens long enough for them to bolt out.
It's always better to have a happy and unforgettable holiday season with your dog safe and sound in your home. Remember that your dog is a family member. The best care should always be provided to your faithful companion and dearest friend.
Some Dog-Safe Celebration Practices
During the holidays, you can make your dog a special part of the celebration through the following practices:
- 1Relieve holiday stress (for you and your dog) by taking extra long walks.
- 2Stock up on treats so that you can always give them some of those instead of people food.
- 3Give a donation to the local shelter in your pet's name.
- 4Give your dog a new chew toy or a new bed during the opening of gifts.
Things to Remember when Caring for Your Dog during the Holidays
- 1Any break from what they do stresses them out. your best to walk, play, and feed your dog the same way even if there are guests in the house or even if you have to do many holiday errands.Always keep your dog's routines. Dogs love routine.
- 2Provide some quiet time for your dog. Choose a point in the day when you could provide relaxation times for your dog regularly.
- 3Always fill your dog's water bowl.Give fresh water all the time. The activities that your dog engages in during the holidays results to more thirst.
- 4Consult your veterinarian about safe medications that could help calm your dog. Some dogs are very excitable and these medications can help relax and soothe them.
- 5Tell your guests to not bring their pets when they visit. Do this if you know that your dog isn't friends with their pets yet.
- 6Let your guests know that giving fatty tidbits to your dog is not allowed. You can just give your dog the treats you set aside.
- 7Keep your dog in a safe room if guests are all over the house. This prevents your dog from accessing food and drinks left at their height level.
- 8Supervise kids and dogs when they're together. They should be with someone who knows when the kids and dogs need time off so they don't get stressed.
What to Train your Dog in Advance
Training you dog in advance will help keep the fun and reduce the anxiety at your holiday party. Here are some commands you can consider teaching your dog:
- 1You can apply this when there is food dropped on the ground or any object your dog is not supposed to have."Leave it"/"Drop it". This tool allows your dog to not touch anything or leave anything you tell them to.
- 2"Down", "Sit", and "Wait". These commands prevent your dog from jumping all over your guests or dashing out the door.
- 3This prevents begging during mealtimes."Go to Bed"/ "Place". This teaches your dog to stay in a designated corner and wait unless you say so.
Many dog surf the counters and take anything they can. This can be prevented by cancelling them out with a "Leave it " command. If you know that your dog has already been a successful counter surfer, it would be best to isolate him until he learns not to do it again.
Tips
- Note the ingredients when you decide to give table scraps to your dog during the holidays.
- Portion control during the holidays should be practiced especially with your dog's appetite.
- Be aware of the toxic holiday foods.
- Purchase dog-friendly holiday treats for your dogs.
- Socialize your dog well so that there won't be biting incidents around guests.
- Expose your dog to different stimuli so that fear won't overwhelm him or her during the holidays.
If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
