The holiday season is a joyous time filled with celebrations, cosy decorations, and delicious dog treats—and it’s not just for us! Our dogs can share in the joy too. With more relaxed humans around, extra walks, and snuggly sofa time, your furry friend will soak up the festive vibes.
Whether it’s the calm of a lazy morning or the excitement of family gatherings, the holidays offer plenty of opportunities to make lasting memories with your pup. But while we’re busy decking the halls and gathering with loved ones, it’s important to remember that the hustle and bustle can pose certain risks to our furry friends. Dogs, with their curious noses and love for exploring, can sometimes get into trouble amidst the seasonal festivities. To keep your canine companion safe, comfortable, and happy throughout the festivities, here are our top 5 essential tips for a dog-friendly Christmas.
1. Mind the Christmas Treats and Toxic Foods*
Christmas is a time for indulgence, but many of the foods we enjoy can be dangerous for dogs. Some common holiday foods to keep away from your dog include:
- Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially harmful.
- Grapes and Raisins: These might pop up in Christmas recipes, but they can cause serious kidney trouble for your pup. Keep them far away from curious noses!
- Onions: While they add flavour to your holiday dishes, they can harm your dog’s red blood cells and cause anaemia. Not the kind of gift we want to give!
- Alcohol: No festive sips for your puppy! Even a small taste can be dangerous for dogs, leading to confusion, tummy troubles, or worse! Let’s keep the eggnog for the humans.
Instead, consider treating your dog with delicious dog treats. Carnilove has an excellent range of treats in stock including Crunchy, Soft, Meat Jerky and Freeze-Dried Raw Treats. These treats come in a variety of delicious, Christmas themed flavours including Duck with Rosemary, Lamb with Cranberries, Turkey with Venison Fillet Meat Jerky and Salmon with Blueberries to name a few.
*If your dog does eat something that may be toxic you should immediately contact your veterinarian for advice.
2. Create a Safe Space for Your Dog
Christmas often means extra guests and more noise, which can be stressful for some dogs. To help your pet feel comfortable:
- Set Up a Quiet Zone: Create a cosy area where your dog can retreat to if they need a break from the excitement. Include their bed, favourite toys, and a water bowl to make it as relaxing as possible.
- Introduce Guests Gradually: If your dog is a little shy, think of introductions like a meet-and-greet—one guest at a time! It’s a great way to help them warm up without feeling overwhelmed.
- Teach the Humans: Let your guests know the house rules – no sneaky snack sharing (your dog will thank you later!) and gentle play only. Little ones especially might need a quick “doggy manners” crash course to keep everyone happy and wagging.
3. Keep Christmas Decorations Out of Reach
Holiday decorations can be tempting for dogs, but many pose a choking hazard or contain toxins:
- Tinsel and Ornaments: Shiny tinsel can be especially appealing, but if swallowed, it can lead to a not-so-festive trip to the vet. And those shiny, delicate ornaments? If they break, they can leave sharp surprises for curious mouths and paws. So, it’s best to keep these out of reach and save the sparkle for the tree!
- Fairy Lights and Electric Cords: Chewing on cords can lead to burns or electric shocks. Keep cords tucked away or protected, so your furry friend can enjoy the glow of fairy lights safely from a distance.
4. Be Cautious with Candles and Open Flames
Candles, fireplaces, and scented oil burners bring all the cosy holiday vibes, but for your dog, they can be potential hazards! Keep things merry (and safe) with these tips:
- Monitoring Fireplaces: Cosy fires are great, but make sure there’s a sturdy screen so your pup doesn’t try to investigate—or roast their tail!
- Placing Candles Out of Reach: Place real candles on high, stable spots where curious noses and wiggly tails can’t reach them.
5. Be Careful with Wrapping Paper and Gifts
Holiday gifts wrapped in shiny paper and topped with ribbons might look like irresistible treasures to your dog, but not everything is as fun (or safe) as it seems!
- Skip Ribbon Tug-of-War: Sure, ribbons are fun to chase and chew, but if swallowed, they can lead to a not-so-festive trip to the vet. Stick to toys made just for pups!
- Clean Up the Chaos: Once the gift wrap frenzy is over, tidy up those scraps, tape, and bows—your dog doesn’t need a second round of unwrapping adventures.
- Pick Paw-fect Presents: Giving your dog gifts? Choose toys that are the right size for your furry friend and free of small, breakable bits. Ones that are made for dogs to ensure a safer holiday are the best! Alternatively, consider gifting Carnilove treats and refer to this tutorial for a festive way to wrap your dog treats.
Bonus tip: Stick to Their Routine as Much as Possible
While the holiday season is often full of unusual and novel activities and schedules, try to maintain your dog’s regular feeding, walking, and play routines. Consistency will help keep them calm and reduce anxiety.
Wrapping Up
By following these tips, you can help ensure a safe and happy Christmas for both you and your dog. The holidays are a time for togetherness, and taking these precautions will let you focus on enjoying the season without worrying. Make this Christmas special for your furry friend with love and plenty of pet-safe holiday cheer!