Dog Safety Tips For The Holidays

As a pet owner it is important to consider the safety of our dogs when it comes to Christmas food, festive decor and everything else related to the Holidays.

For example, did you know that certain popular Christmas plants such as Poinsettias are toxic to dogs? (Source) I doubt any of us pet owners wish to spend our Christmas Eve at the vet, so here are some things to keep in mind regarding pets and Christmas time.

Here are some common Christmas time foods and treats that are toxic or harmful to dogs:

• Fatty meats (such as Christmas ham)
• Cooked bones
• Chocolate
• Raisins and grapes
• Xylitol (found in many candies)
• Mint
• Certain nuts such as macadamia nuts and walnuts
• Onion

If you suspect that your dog has symptoms of poisoning, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

Related article: Poisonous Foods For Dogs

Here is a list of some common plants seen in Christmas time that are said to be toxic to dogs:

• Poinsettias
• Hyacints
• Mistletoe
• Holly
• Amaryllis
• Daffodils
• Lillies
• Christmas tree

Prior bringing a new plant to your home, I recommend researching if it is toxic to dogs. Also please note that even non-toxic plants can cause a dog to become ill should he get his paws on it.

If you suspect that your dog has symptoms of poisoning, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

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Christmas Tree Safety

A real Christmas tree can be lovely, but it can also be quite hazardous when it comes to pets.

The water bucket, the tree oils and the needles can make a dog sick or in worst case they could cause death. Learn more in this article I found: Christmas Tree Safety Tips For Pet Parents

Puppies And Christmas Trees

Young puppies and Christmas trees do not necessarily mix well. If you want to put up a tree, but you are worried about your puppy’s safety, try to come up with some alternative solutions until your dog has grown up and he has been trained.

One idea is to consider placing your Christmas tree behind a large window on your backyard terrace or a balcony. This way your pet has no access to the tree while he is indoors yet you get to enjoy the tree through your window. However, you might have to skip decorating the tree with ornaments and only put some outdoor lights on it.

Another idea is to consider setting up a protective fence around your Christmas tree to block your dog’s access to it. However, this might not always look so pleasing to the eye. Thankfully there are numerous Christmas tree alternatives available and some of them are quite creative. Or what do you think about branches in a vase decorated with ornaments or how about a Christmas tree wall decal?

For inspiration see the links below, but as always remember to keep your dog’s safety in mind:

• 35+ Best Alternative Christmas Trees to Decorate Any Space In Your Home
• 30+ Innovative Christmas Tree Ideas You Need To See To Believe
• 21 Creative Alternatives to a Traditional Christmas Tree

If you worry that your dog might be interested in chewing up your festive decorations and thus possibly getting hurt, it’s a good idea to place all Christmas decorations out of your dog’s reach.

Think higher surfaces in your home such as the mantel, other shelves and bookshelves, walls etc. Even curtain rods could have fairy lights or ornaments hanging on them.

Get your creative juices flowing as you decorate with your dog’s best interest in mind.

Keep candy wrappers, ribbon, wrapping paper and other gift wrapping material away from your dog. The wrappers could cause intestinal blockage or other serious health issues to dogs.

Candles can be a fire hazard and should never be at a dog’s reach.

Also there where you might be enjoying the festive smell of a scented candle or certain essential oils, your dog on the other hand might be feeling sick due to possible toxic chemicals in the products. Consider opting for LED powered candles instead.