Holiday safety tips for dogs are super important. While it is a very festive season, there are many dangers lurking out there for pups. We want to remind you of some big dangers you need to prevent.
Watch Out For Food And Drinks
We dogs smell everything, and most of us are in love with food. During the holidays, there are often bowls of candy sitting around as well as plates of cookies, and cocktails sitting on tables. Most of these items are dangerous, and sometimes deadly for dogs.
Don’t leave bowls of candy sitting around, even if it is wrapped. Dogs will eat the wrapper and the candy. Make sure food is either being watched over, or is kept out of your dog’s reach. Cocktails are sweet and attract dogs. Don’t leave them unattended or your pup may start drinking which can have deadly consequences.
You may think giving your dog some of the dinner food is a nice thing to do, but most of the time the food humans are eating is not good for dogs. It is best to make up a frozen Kong or stuffed bone to give to your dog, with dog friendly ingredients, for her to work on.
Let your guests know the rules about food and drink placement, and remind them to not feed your dog. Many people think they are being kind, but a cookie with chocolate can also be toxic to a dog.
Careful With The Decorations
We have a puppy, so our tree is bare on the bottom third or so. Ornaments are like hanging balls to dogs, especially puppies. If your pup crunches an ornament, it will swallow all those sharp pieces and need to head to the vet asap.
Never trim your tree with food as your dog may make a game out of trying to get the popcorn, cranberries, or other food items you may have used.
Watch out for the lighting. Dogs can easily become tangled in the cord/lights and will start to chew. This is an electrical shock hazard.
If your dog is bigger with a super waggy tail, don’t put decorations on coffee tables as they will fly like baseballs when hit with a wagging tail.
Be careful leaving wrapped gifts out too. We have a keen sense of smell, and may tear into packages that smell interesting to us. Ribbon can also pose a choking hazard.
Watch out for holly and mistletoe as they are both toxic for dogs. Keep it far out of reach for any dogs you have in the house if you must have it around.
Use commons sense when decorating. You know your dog best, and what they might get in to.
Perhaps Her Kennel Is The Best Place
If you will be entertaining, sometimes the best place for the dog is in her kennel. I know I feel safe in my kennel. If you must leave your dog out to mingle with the guests, make sure she doesn’t escape out the door when guests are coming and going, and she should have proper ID just in case she does get outside.
Following holiday safety tips for dogs will ensure you and your pup have a wonderful and safe holiday season together. Happy Howlidays!
Great tips and very important.
It’s a bit like toddler proofing a home according to Mom. We get into things so fast, humans need to be extra vigilant.
Our tree is on a table. That started when I was a baby and now a must with little Puffin. Mom gave up on her coffee table decorations (cute stuffed Boston terriers in Santa hats) because my Boston sister kept stealing them! Thanks for the terrific safety tips. XOXO, Sparkle
Since Olivia is not super young we did put out some decorations, but it is pretty limited. Next year we should be able to decorate as usual again. It’s not worth the risk for one year.
We all need to make sure we’re caring for our babies properly. Great tips.
Have a woof woof day. My best to your smart mom. ♥
We have to be protected from dangers we don’t understand.
we banned all electric illuminations … the battery stuff is good too ;O)
Just don’t eat the batteries, boys!
Excellent advice! Especially the “nose knows” and the crate. KEEP your 4-footed kids safe from guests during the holidays! It never surprises me how quickly a few guests can get out of hand and two footed kids can get into mischief. BE PREPARED!!!
Mom doesn’t do much entertaining as it is too hard with us out and about, and she doesn’t like to have to kennel us all. We get into things no one would ever expect, and we are pretty good mannered, so imagine what typically naughty dogs get in to.
Those really were wonderful tips and such terrific photos to go along with them!
Thank you. Of course, if it is out of reach, cat bro Bert will gladly get it for us.
Thank you for the tips Madison. Much to my Alex’s chagrin – I keep food away from him. He watches my every move when I cook – in case I drop something . I guess he wants to keep my kitchen floor clean -HA HA!!!
We keep our kitchen floor spotless too 🙂
Great advice for this time of year and to keep in mind all year!
All year, but some times of the year are just more dangerous than others.
Great tips! We need to stay safe for Santa’s visit!
We already know Olivia will want to steal Santa’s cookies and milk, so she may have to go to bed early this year.
Luckily we can’t reach the counters or we would be in big trouble! Don’t tell Santa I admitted that.
Madison is too short, and too nice to counter surf, but Olivia and I…we can’t be trusted.
Luke is kept separate when we have company, since he’s so fearful of everyone. But honestly, I’m more relaxed when he’s safely tucked away; when we had beagles and goldens out with company around I had to constantly watch them, and it was stressful being sure no one gave them anything they shouldn’t have! I think the crate is a great idea, even for social dogs, at least when food is out.
We have candy dishes around at the holidays, but I use glass dishes with secure lids, and keep them up high too.
Great reminders!
It is stressful for Mom to keep an eye on us when we have people over. Lots of times she will let us be out one at a time as that is much easier to deal with. We all love people, so we want to be out and socialize.
Those are great tips, and also, some dogs are very clever at getting to what they want. When i was a kid, i had a friend whose family came home to find their very clever dog had gingerly picked up the delicate crystal top from the candy bowl, set it down quite safely right side up on the carpet, and then proceeded to unwrap and consume every Hershey kiss in the bowl, leaving a neat pile of the wrappers and the tags next to the garbage can!
The dog suffered no ill effects that time (they went to the vet just in case), but it was a good reminder that a really smart dog can be too smart for its own good.
There are those dogs who open cabinets, even the fridge, and one needs to really keep an eye on them. Glad nothing happened to that pup. He was too smart for his own furs!
Wonderful reminders girls! We usually have a “social hour” at the beginning of the social event and then go up to our room when the food comes out.
xoxo,
Rosy, Jakey & Arty
Isn’t that just the way the food crumbles. Just when the party starts rolling we are banished to our room. At least we are safe.
Those are great tips!