The holiday season is typically a time for family and filled with a lot of laughter, cheer, and treats galore. As we enter this holiday season, it is not only a time to have fun and to be thankful for the many blessings we have but it is also a time to be careful. Since our dogs are important members of our family, it is important that we keep them in mind and to look out for them over the holiday season. Taking a little bit of time to educate yourself will go a long way to making sure our furry loved ones are happy and feel safe during the busy season ahead. Remember, dogs are like people. They can get stressed from overstimulated senses and tired from all the ‘hustle and bustle’. Being overloaded as they are shuffled ‘to and froe’ can also be stressful to them.
Overindulging during the holidays seems to be something that we have difficulty getting away from. When it comes to indulging, our pets tend to get swept up in the moment as well. It is important to remember a few things when it comes to the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of holiday foods. (When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian).
Here are just a few:
Do give them:
(With a little moderation in mind)
Don’t give them:
In addition to making sure they eat right during the Holidays, here are a few extra tips for keeping your dogs safe:
- Do not leave them alone in a room with lit candles.
- Keep holiday plants out of reach (especially poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, and lilies)
- Try and keep them away from loud noises which might spook them. If you are entertaining and anticipate a loud environment, make sure they have a quiet, dark, cozy place to retreat to
- Keep a watchful eye on ‘Uncle Joe’ as he enjoys a few too many spirits. Nobody enjoys indulging a person that has had too many drinks…not even our pets.
- Watch out for those that think they are being helpful by feeding our loved ones from the table. It is probably a good idea to move your pet to another room during dinner. This will help guard against eating the wrong food and it will also provide them a respite from all the chaos and noise.
- Keep an eye open for little kids who think your pup’s ears are a steering wheel for their imagination.
- Especially important, if you are leaving cookies out for Santa, make sure they are out of reach of your dog. Especially chocolate cookies! We all know chocolate is toxic to our dogs and could lead to a medical emergency.
With a little common sense and awareness, everyone can have a happy and safe Holiday Season!
Best wishes to you and yours this Holiday Season!