Is keeping your dog safe during the holidays on your mind?
Holidays are planned on many days throughout the year for many countries. Along with their merry celebrations, holidays can also bring disarray and safety issues for dogs in the home.
In the US, from New Year’s Day to Christmas Day, there are many opportunities for a negative safety situation to arrive and cause disruption in the home and in the life of you and your dog.
While having your eye on a few critical areas in the home, keeping your dog safe during the holidays can become an easier task.
Watch New & Existing Pets Near Your Dog
The holidays can bring an influx of pets into the home.
When family visits, they can bring dogs with them, pets are sometimes gifted, and any other pets in the home can feel stressed due to changing environments.
If a family member or friend is visiting and they bring a dog with them, be sure to communicate with your guest to identify and understand the behavior of the visiting dog clearly. Some dogs are friendly, and some have steeper boundaries, so it’s best to respect the expectations of all dogs involved.
Decorations Present a Choking Risk for Your Dog
Many people love to decorate their homes for the holidays.
To a dog, decorations are colorful and enticing and can be consumed. If you plan on decorating your home, it’s best to keep anything fragile out of reach of your dog and make sure nothing within reach is toxic, poisonous, or could be a choking hazard.
Keep Your Dog Warm During Winter Weather
If you have guests or visitors over for cold-season holidays, it may be tempting to put your dog outside to quickly resolve a situation or to make room for others — but it’s important to consider the cold temperatures of winter.
Most dogs aren’t equipped to live in or stay in cold weather for prolonged periods, so make your dog comfortable by giving them space in an unused room or somewhere with proper shelter, like a garage that has been proofed for dog safety.
Additionally, when taking your dog on holiday adventures with the family during the winter, if your dog has a short coat, consider a dog jacket and booties if going on a walk in snow or ice.
Avoid Poisonous Plants Around Your Dog
Gifts abound during the holidays, and some of those gifts include plants.
Plants are beautiful, but they can also be deadly poisonous. From poinsettias to peace lilies, many gifted plants are highly toxic to dogs and should be kept well away from the possibility of tampering and ingesting.
If in doubt, take the plant out.
People Food Isn’t Dog Food
Food, snacks and desserts are bountiful during the holidays, but many foods deemed safe for humans are not safe for a dog to consume.
Received lots of chocolate on Valentine’s Day? Keep it well away from your dog.
An ingredient as simple as onion is toxic to dogs in its entirety, so even food prep during the holidays should be monitored to ensure no unwanted bits of food fall to the floor. Snacks or drinks around the home should be quickly disposed of or put away, and your dog should be monitored at all times.
If you have gifts on the ground or around your dog that contain food they may be enticing and explored, so they should be kept away from your dog too.
Introduce Visitors & Guests to Your Dog
Visitors in the home can cause distress for your dog.
To counter any potentially harmful situations from arising, be sure visitors to your home understand any behavioral quirks your dog might have.
Additionally, visitors should know what gates and doors need to remain closed to ensure your dog doesn’t escape accidentally. It’s not fun for guests to unintendedly let a dog loose and then feel bad about the experience.
Fireworks Are Not Your Dog’s Friend
Not all holidays feature fireworks, but whether lighting fireworks for the Fourth of July or Chinese New Year, it’s essential to keep your dog safe from harm.
Fireworks are unpredictable, so it’s probably best to keep your dog inside for the duration of lighting off fireworks outside. Dogs are also prone to fear from surprising and loud noises, so it may be helpful to play something on TV during holidays when fireworks are sounding off from neighbors and others nearby.
Keeping Your Dog Safe During the Holidays is a Priority and Responsibility
Beloved pooches are part of the family and have needs all their own.
When a holiday is nearby, take the time to think through all household activities and make a plan to incorporate or sequester your dog safely. If you receive your dog food via mail, keep a backstock of food and treats to get by in the case of unplanned holiday shipping delays.
It’s easy to get sidetracked and busy during the holidays, but your dog doesn’t have to get left behind in the mix. Make a plan, prepare, and pay attention to your pet.
How can I keep my dog safe at Christmas?
You can keep your dog safe at Christmas by showing guests what gates and doors need to remain closed so your dog doesn’t get loose, keeping poisonous plants and human food out of reach, and protecting your dog from any sudden and loud noises.
What to do with dogs during holidays?
During the holidays, you can keep your dog in an unused bedroom if you have guests visiting and want to keep your dog separated, or even in a garage for shelter that’s been dog-proofed for safety. When keeping your dog indoors, be sure to take them outside to relieve themselves regularly and often each day.
What are holiday hazards for dogs?
Holiday hazards for dogs include gifted poisonous plants, human food and desserts (especially chocolate), fireworks, visiting guests, and decorations that present a choking risk.
