Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, your dog putting his ice-cold nose on you! This season brings tons of interesting sights and smells that are sure to send your canine into overdrive. We know you love your fur baby more than anything, but visiting family and friends may not be aware of dog holiday food safety.
To ensure happy holidays for your two-legged and four-legged family, we’ve listed a few tips for pet owners to keep in mind.
Tip #1: Avoid Holiday Plants
Everyone loves mistletoe—except your dog. Along with holly and poinsettias, mistletoe can cause life-threatening health issues to your pets. Surprised? You’re not the only one. Unfortunately, lots of plant-loving pet owners learn this the hard way. If eaten, popular seasonal botanicals can impact your pup’s digestion and make him sick.
Tip: If guests do bring any plants into your home, hang them up or place them outside your front door to ensure pet safety.
Tip #2: Be Mindful of Holiday Decorations
From edible tree ornaments like candy canes to festive candles, holiday decorations can be dangerous to small and large pets. To minimize your chances of visiting an emergency room this season, keep all decor and edible ornaments away from your four-legged companions.
Tip: Place candy canes on higher surfaces, away from your furry friend’s curious nose. Also, try not to leave lit candles near the edge of a table— your dog’s wagging tail may accidentally bump it.
Wrapping paper, while not hazardous to your pet, can make quite a mess. Avoid unnecessary holiday cleanup by properly storing or discarding holiday paper immediately after unwrapping. To your furry friend, ribbons, bows, and boxes all look like new toys. If your dog or pet gets ahold of something he shouldn’t have. Pet owners should replace this with one of their chew toys.
Other helpful tips:
- Don’t let your dog or pet drink tree water
- Store excess extension cords
- Unplug lights when not in use
Tip #3: Don’t Leave Snacks & Treats
Under normal conditions, your dog knows not to take food from the table. But the holidays are full of so many mouthwatering snacks, can you really blame them for wanting a taste? Pet owners prevent your pet from ingesting something harmful to their body or health by removing them from the room before you begin eating.
In addition, lots of holiday sweets are made with chocolate, which can be extremely dangerous to dogs. Inform your guests not to leave food or drinks unattended, and not to feed your pet table food without your permission.
What Can My Dog Eat During the Holidays?
Dogs love the flavor and variety of people-food, but we suggest eliminating it during the holidays to prevent allergy-related accidents and unforeseen digestive issues. You can make dog holiday food and treats, but make sure your guests know table food is off-limits.
Tip: While you and your family are chowing down, make sure your pet can too! Top your dog’s normal food with delicious turkey broth. It’s a pet-friendly holiday treat your pup is sure to love.