The holidays are a time to gather and celebrate with our families and friends. But holiday gatherings and celebrations bring some extra dangers for dogs that might not be obvious. Here are four simple rules to follow to ensure a safe holiday for your dog.
1. Holiday Food Is For Humans
When everyone is celebrating and eating delicious food together, it’s tempting to treat our dogs. But many foods and ingredients on our tables during the holidays can be toxic to dogs, resulting in serious illness or even death. Keep these food dangers in mind to ensure a safe holiday with your dog.
Cooked bones are not only a choking hazard, they can splinter and cause an obstruction or laceration.
Alcohol ingested in any amount can cause severe poisoning, with symptoms including seizures, lethargy, respiratory distress, and low body temperature.
Table scraps that contain meat trimmings and seasoned food (e.g. garlic, onions) can cause a number of issues, including lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. Artificial sweeteners, which contain xylitol, are especially dangerous and can be fatal.
Chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs because it contains theobromine and caffeine. Make sure any chocolates/candies are out of reach from your dog.
Raisins and grapes, often found in fruit platters and desserts, can cause kidney failure. Initial signs of poisoning include vomiting and hyperactivity.
Macadamia nuts, if ingested, can cause muscle weakness, ataxia (lack of coordination), hyperthermia, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Unbaked dough can expand in your dog’s stomach and cause bloating or even potential rupture if eaten in large amounts. Unbaked dough is also fermented, and the absorbed alcohol can cause additional problems.
Make sure foods are out of reach from your dog, including the trash and gifted items on the floor. If you have people over, make sure they know not to give your dog any food and to keep their food and drinks out of reach.
If your dog does ingest any harmful foods, make sure to call your vet immediately. Your vet can better advise on whether your dog should be monitored or brought in. If brought in within two hours of ingesting a toxic substance, vomiting can often be induced to help rid and flush out the toxins before being absorbed into your dog’s bloodstream.
2. Know Decoration Hazards
Holiday lights and decorations are some of the best parts of the holiday season, but they can pose big safety risks for your dog. Be mindful of the types of decorations you use and place them out of reach from your dog.
Tinsel and ribbons, if ingested, can cause an obstruction or otherwise serious damage to your dog’s digestive system as they work their way through.
Popcorn garland is cute, but might be too tempting for a dog and its strings can also cause an obstruction or serious damage. Consider ditching the popcorn or placing it on only upper branches of your tree where your dog can’t reach.
Lit candles should never be left unattended and should be placed out of reach from your dog. An open flame can all too quickly injure your dog or set your home on fire.
Ornaments might look like our dogs’ favorite toy, but they can pose serious safety hazards. Your dog can choke or, if broken, the tiny fragments or hooks can cause obstructions and/or internal bleeding. Make sure they’re out of reach and secure on your tree.
Holly and mistletoe are both toxic to dogs. The milder of the two, ingestion of holly can result in diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy. Mistletoe, on the other hand, can cause abnormal heart rate, seizures, and even death. Consult your vet immediately if you think your dog has ingested either of these plants.
Poinsettias are mildly toxic to dogs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea. However, its sap can also greatly irritate your dog’s skin from touching it alone, so make sure they’re out of reach.
Christmas tree water, which contains poisonous fertilizers and potentially harmful bacteria, is toxic to dogs. And while pine needles themselves are not toxic, if ingested they can puncture your dog’s gastro-intestinal tract. Keep your tree’s base tidy and try to block access to the water to keep your dog safe.
3. Prioritize Your Dog’s Well-Being
The thought of thirty of your relatives coming over to celebrate the holiday may make you all warm and fuzzy, but it could be your dog’s biggest nightmare. Have a plan for your dog if people are coming over.
Have a safe space. Unfamiliar people in your home for hours can make even the most social and friendly dog anxious or even just exhausted. Set aside a room where guests won’t be going or block off the upstairs to give your dog their own space to decompress. Give your dog a safe space to escape the extra noise and people.
Advocate for your dog. Even the most well-behaved dog can become stressed and anxious with small kids pulling their tail or swiping at them for pets. Any dog can bite if they are stressed and see no way out. Be your dog’s voice and remind guests to give them space or simply separate your dog into a separate room and ask them to leave your dog alone.
Make your dog feel at home, even when they’re not. If traveling with your dog, bring their bed, favorite toy, blanket, and anything else familiar that might help them feel safe and secure. New environments and people can be overwhelming, so creating a safe and familiar space that makes them feel at home can reduce their anxiety and stress.
4. Prepare For The What-Ifs
Holidays often mean a break in routine, new people around, extra noise, or increased absence that may be different from the structure and environment your dog is used to. To ensure a safe holiday with your dog, make sure to prepare ahead of time.
Make sure your dog is microchipped and is wearing an ID tag. Extra visitors can mean extra opportunities for a door to be left open. Sparklers and fireworks on New Years can send a scared dog out of the yard. While we can do our best to make sure our dogs are comfortable, safe, and secure, it’s still important to make sure they have identification in the chance they do get out.
Bring medical records and look up vets in the area (and their hours) if you’re traveling with your dog. Do this before you leave. From my own personal experience, Googling an open vet is one of the last things you want to (or physically can) be doing during a medical emergency when time is of the essence.
Now that you’re prepared for a safe holiday with your dog, enjoy it! Holidays are for celebrating with our loved ones, and that includes our pets. Stay safe and have a wonderful holiday season!