How to Keep Your Doggo Safe During the Holidays
The Holiday season is a joyous time for many families, including those with beloved four-legged family members. Unfortunately, it can also be a dangerous time for our furry friends due to all the additional decorations, people, and activities that are part of the holiday celebration. Luckily, there are steps you can take now to make sure your pup’s holidays stay merry and bright. Read on for some helpful tips on how to keep your dog safe during the Holidays!
Safety at Home
It's important to take extra steps to ensure your home is pet-proofed before any festivities begin. Start by removing anything that could pose a choking hazard or be swallowed by an inquisitive pup. This includes small items such as ribbons, ornaments, pinecones and tinsel.
Decorations such as Christmas trees, lights, tinsel, and other decorations can pose potential risks for our four-legged friends if proper precautions aren’t taken. Make sure that any fragile or sharp decorations are kept out of reach from pets. Glass ornaments can easily be broken by an exuberant pooch running around the house, while certain edible items such as candy canes or gingerbread houses can be dangerous if consumed. Additionally, make sure to securely store any toxic foods such as chocolate or macadamia nuts that could be poisonous to your pet. Finally, consider baby-proofing devices like plug covers and cabinet locks to keep your pup away from potentially dangerous areas of the house. Electric cords and lights should also be kept out of reach as these can pose a choking and shock hazard for dogs.
Precautions with Gift Wrapping Materials
Gift wrapping materials can also pose a hazard for pets during the holidays so it’s important to exercise caution when dealing with them. Keep an eye out for shredded paper and ribbon which can lead to choking if swallowed by your pet. If possible, opt for gift bags instead of wrapping paper which are much safer for curious noses and tails. Additionally, make sure to check for any toys or gifts that might contain small pieces which can be swallowed by your pet.
Parties and Meals
Holiday parties are a fun way to get together with family and friends but can often lead to disastrous results if not properly managed around pets. To avoid this, it's important to keep food off the floor where curious noses may find it and make sure guests know not to feed your pup any table scraps. Also, many people tend to overindulge in sweets during the holidays so be careful around candy canes, chocolate and other treats that could potentially poison your pet if ingested.
Furthermore, it’s best practice to keep an eye on alcoholic beverages to avoid any accidental poisoning. Keeping pets out of the kitchen during meal prepping and cooking is also a must. Not only can it be dangerous for them to run around a hot stove or sharp knives, but many common foods like garlic and onions can be toxic to your pet if ingested. Dogs may become stressed with unfamiliar people and noises such as music and children running around. Provide a safe, quiet space for your dog to retreat to if the noise level becomes too overwhelming.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
For many, the ringing in of a new year is accompanied by fireworks and other loud noises that can cause great anxiety for our four-legged friends. To help keep your pup calm throughout the festivities, try giving them a cozy environment with plenty of distractions such as toys or treats. Additionally, if possible, consider bringing them indoors or to an area away from the noise in order to reduce stress levels.
The Bottom Line
The holidays are a special time filled with joy and cheer but it’s important to remember safety first when it comes to our furry companions! By following some simple steps such as pet proofing your home, exercising caution with gift wrapping materials and meals, as well as keeping an eye on fireworks during New Year’s Eve celebrations, you can ensure a safe and stress-free Holiday season for your pup. With some preparation and awareness on our part, we can make sure that this holiday season is the best one yet!
Happy Holidays from all of us here at Squishface!
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