The Christmas holidays are a busy, exciting and sometimes stressful time of year. And this holds true not just for humans but also for their furry friends. There are often new people coming to the house, a dazzling Christmas tree in the living room, interesting presents lying around, and all sorts of food -some of it even at doggie nose level on the coffee table! With all the new sights, sounds and heightened activity, it’s easy to understand how your pet could feel quite overwhelmed. It can also pose many hazards that could seriously harm your pet if not managed properly. With proper foresight, supervision and management, you and your pet can both enjoy this season safely and hopefully with little stress.
CHRISTMAS HAZARDS
Christmas trees
That tree can be full of temptations to some dogs, especially curious, playful puppies. The ornaments can seem like great toys (some in the familiar shape of balls) or things to chew. A puppy may find the string of lights looks good to sink his teeth into and get himself electrocuted. Pine needles can pose problems if your pup chooses to sample them. The needles can get stuck in their gums, causing them significant distress, upset their stomachs or lodge in their guts, requiring a vet’s intervention to remove. Don’t allow your pet to drink the Christmas tree water. It can contain chemicals leeched from the tree that are dangerous for animals (and humans) to drink.
If your dog shows any interest in the tree, either put up a portable fence around it to keep him away from the dangers or block his access to the room where the tree is put up with doors or baby gates, if possible. Otherwise, never leave your dog unsupervised if he has access to the tree. Keep his water bowl full so that he won’t feel the need to access the tree’s water, and make sure he has other things to occupy him such as chew toys or food puzzles.
Other plants that may be around during the holidays can be toxic to your pets such as mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias and cause vomiting and diarrhea. Keep these out of reach to prevent this mishap.
Open flames – Chestnuts roasting on an open fire and candlelit dinners may make the season bright, but one misdirected tail wag or bump to a table can topple candles and light things up more than planned. Dogs often love to curl up by the fireside, but be sure there is a screen that protects inquisitive pets from being singed and prevents sparks from escaping and landing on a slumbering pooch. Supervise your dog at all times when there are open flames.
Presents also can pose their share of hazards to curious or opportunistic pups. If dogs take to taking apart a bow or try to eat ribbon, they can get lodged in their throat or gut and cause a trip to the vet. Wrapping paper is easily torn and potentially eaten. As it’s not digestible, it could get stuck in your dog’s intestinal tract. When the kids tear open their presents, be sure to put Rover in another room with a chew toy or food puzzle to occupy him. Make sure that all kids’ toys are safely put away off the floor or anywhere Rover can get at them. They often have small parts that can easily be a choking hazard or cause big problems if they make it to his digestive tract.
The Feast is not for the Beast
At Christmas parties and dinners, there are many delectables that are tempting to humans as well as dogs. Unfortunately, many may also contain ingredients that can be quite dangerous to our furry friends. These include:
Chocolate, grapes, raisins, garlic, candies containing Xylitol – all are toxic to dogs
Alcohol has the same effect as it does on humans, but because dogs are smaller can pose greater risks
Caffeinated drinks pose a similar risk, causing hyperactivity, restlessness and even seizures if the dose is high enough.
Table scraps- Of course, we want our pets to have some special treats at Christmas time. It seems almost cruel to not let them have a bit of the roast after they’ve had to endure its delectable smell while it was cooking in the oven all afternoon. The safest bet is for your dog to stick to its kibble and dog cookies. The last thing you want at your Christmas party is to be cleaning up your pet’s vomit or diarrhea. Fatty foods such as gravy, poultry skin or greasy bits from the roast should be avoided or only given in small amounts as they are difficult to digest. I treat my dogs by cooking up the giblets (organ meat) that are often included with buying a whole goose, duck, chicken or turkey, and adding them to their dinner or using them for super high-value training treats. Be sure to avoid giving them any table scraps that may contain any of the foods previously listed as dangerous.
Bones- Cooked bones should not be given to dogs as they are prone to splinter and cause damage to a dog’s mouth, throat, stomach and intestines. Small bones from poultry run the same risks. Raw bones are less likely to splinter, so are somewhat safer, however, any build-up of bones in the gut can cause great problems for your pet. If you do choose to give your dog a bone, vets recommend that the bone be about the size of the dog’s head. Keeping with the common thread of this article, supervision is always advised. Remove the bone if you see your dog splintering it, if it has reduced to a size that the dog could fit entirely in its mouth, or if your dog is getting too carried away with guarding it in an aggressive manner.
Presents for Puppy
If you are going to put anything under the tree for Rover, be sure to make sure it won’t give him more trouble than pleasure. If your pet has any allergies, check the ingredients on any edible treats before feeding them to your dog. Make sure that chew toys are made from safe materials and are the appropriate size for the size of your dog to avoid choking. Check toys for loose or removable parts that could be chewed off or swallowed. Know the difference between a play toy and a chew toy and be sure to use them for their intended purposes. Balls, tugs, stuffed and squeaky toys should be used for play under supervision and be put away when the play session is over. Chew toys should be made of animal hides or durable plastic that are made for chewing.
Not Everyone is a Party Animal
Unless you entertain on a regular basis, your dog probably won’t be that accustomed to having all sorts of strangers in his home. For many dogs, this can be very overwhelming. Some react by being the center of attention, jumping on guests, stealing food off tables, barking and being a general nuisance. Others respond by hiding away, evading unwanted attention, or warding off well-meaning guests who try to interact with them with snarls or snaps. Both types of dogs need their “Fortress of Solitude” to keep themselves and your guests safe and happy.
If you are in the midst of training your dog proper manners around guests, this is definitely the time to put him away, as this is often the ideal situation for your dog to learn or practise bad behaviours. There may be kids running around and playing, tempting Rover to chase and nip; that uncle who will feed him food from the table, and that friend who allows him to jump all over her saying, “Oh it’s okay, I don’t mind. I like dogs!” If you don’t want all your manners training getting flushed down the toilet, put Rover away in his crate or another quiet place with a safe chew toy or food puzzle. You’re not being cruel, you’re being considerate of your dog’s well-being. Give your dog ample exercise before guests arrive to expend his energy, and set an alarm to remind yourself to take him out for a walk or play after a couple of hours so he can relieve himself and exercise again. A well-exercised dog is often a calm and happy dog.
With all the commotion from the new people, noise, lights and food in the house at this time of year, be mindful that this isn’t an ideal time for your pets to be a part of the festivities. It’s difficult to be watching them constantly to protect them from the many potential hazards. Your safest bet is to make sure they get plenty of exercise and stimulation when you’re not entertaining, and give them a safe place away from the excitement and temptations when you are. It will help make the season merry for two and four-legged friends alike.