The pet hospital is the last place you want to visit during the holidays. Considering the season’s festive décor and scrumptious feasts though, dogs tend to grow more curious and enterprising this time of the year and may often find themselves in situations that put their safety and health at risk.
It’s your job to keep those risks at bay. Not only do you need to dog-proof your home but you also need to be extra vigilant about their food. Here are some specific holiday hazards and ways you can keep your dog out of harm’s way.
Christmas Trees
Why they’re dangerous: Your dog could jump on your Christmas tree and knock it over. He or she may also end up chewing the ornaments and lights as if they were toys. With live Christmas trees, they might want to drink from the water in the tree stand, which often contains preservatives or fertilizers that are harmful to dogs.
How to keep your dog safe: Make sure your tree is securely anchored and won’t easily tip and fall. Place it somewhere blocked off or out of your pup’s reach, or simply don’t allow them to enter the room where the tree is set up. As a precaution, don’t hang ornaments or lights on the lower branches. On the tree’s bottom limbs, you can also add some aluminum foil, a knick-knack-filled plastic bottle, or any other noise-making item as a warning signal should your dog try to climb onto the tree.
Holiday Plants
Why they’re dangerous: Holiday plants can be toxic to the dogs, especially these three.
- Mistletoe – eating this can result in an upset stomach when ingested in small amounts. In severe cases, reports have indicated that ingestion of mistletoe can lead to seizures, ataxia, low blood pressure, abnormal heart rate, heart attacks and sometimes death.
- Holly – this plant has been reported to be fatal too, although its more common side effects are discomfort, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
- Poinsettia – although not as poisonous as you think, poinsettia can still cause an upset stomach if ingested, and its sap can bring about blisters in your dog’s mouth.
How to keep your dog safe: Place these plants on high shelves or someplace where your dog won’t be able to get to them. Or instead of real plants, go with artificial or silk versions.
Wrapping Paper and Supplies
Why they’re dangerous: Your dog might swallow bits of wrapping paper, string, yarn, or ribbon that they find on the floor. Since these items could cause intestinal blockages, you would have to bring them to the pet hospital for surgery immediately. Scissors are also a hazard, as is as glue, which is highly toxic to dogs.
How to keep your dog safe: Wrap gifts in an area inaccessible to your dog or at a time when he or she won’t be able to interfere. Avoid gift wrapping on low tables and floors. Once you’re done wrapping (and after the gifts are opened), get to cleaning up right away, making sure to pick up even the small pieces of wrapping paper and strands of ribbon.
Candles
Why they’re dangerous: A lit candle can put a curious dog in harm’s way. Their wagging tail might come too close to the flame, or they could accidentally knock over the candle and cause a fire. Dog burns can be a serious injury and will require emergency treatment at a pet hospital.
How to keep your dog safe: Use proper candle holders and make sure the candles fit securely. Place the candles on a stable surface your dog can’t reach such as high shelves or mantels. If you have a fireplace, set up a screen around it to protect your pup from accidental burns. And of course, don’t leave the candles unattended. Put them out before you step out.
In the Kitchen
When it comes to holiday meals and treats, some of your traditional staples may cause health problems for your dog. To avoid visits to the pet hospital, keep your dog away from:
- Rich fatty foods. Gorging on ham, turkey, and goose puts dogs at risk for pancreatitis, symptoms for which include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Leftover bones from poultry, pork, beef, and fish. These bones are a choking hazard for dogs and may puncture or splinter their digestive tract. Poultry bones are particularly dangerous, as they turn brittle once cooked.
- Alcohol. Beer, wine, cocktails, and hard liquor, even in small amounts, can poison your dog. The side effects include decrease in blood pressure, drop in body temperature, low blood pressure, respiratory failure and seizures. So make sure unattended glasses are out of your dog’s reach.
- Chocolate. Whether they’re packaged as gifts or mixed in baked holiday goods, chocolate is toxic to dogs. If your dog accidentally ingests chocolate, signs of toxicity will appear within 24 hours. Among the symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, increased urination, muscle tremors, and seizures.
- Sugar-free treats. Baked goods may seem like great treats, but those that contain xylitol can endanger your dog. Xylitol, a low-calorie sugar substitute used in sugar-free treats, can quickly cause their blood sugar to plummet after ingestion, make them vomit, and lead to lethargy and loss of coordination. Eventually, it could contribute to liver failure.
The holidays may pose certain dangers to your dog, but you can steer clear of the pet hospital by keeping these tips and tidbits in mind. Make this season the most wonderful time of the year for you and your favorite four-legged pal.
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