Keeping
Your Dog Safe & Healthy during the Holidays
As the lyrics of a popular Christmas song
go, "It's the most wonderful time of the year".
. . which is true for many people, but it can also be a
time of stress and busy schedules. We have deadlines to
meet, parties to enjoy, shopping, cooking-the list seems
endless. As a result, our four-legged family members may
be victims of these changes in our lives and can suffer
from the lack of our time and proper attention. Animals
are around for the holidays just like we are, and the stresses
that impact human beings at this time also affect Man's
(and of course, Woman's) Best Friend.
Since dogs are creatures of habit, it's important that we
maintain their routines as much as possible. It may take
a few sacrifices and some creative planning, but our doggies
deserve proper attention and care to stay healthy. We may
need to enlist the help of friends, family or neighbors
to assist with our pets, especially if our schedule gets
very hectic this time of the year. With some planning, we
can ensure that pets and humans not only stay healthy, but
thrive and enjoy the Holiday season.
Some things to keep in mind to keep your dog safe and healthy:
FOOD - Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell,
so make sure they are not enticed by holiday goodies that
are not healthy for them. Some foods that are toxic to dogs
are chocolate and macadamia nuts. Many human foods are too
rich for dogs and human spices in general are not good for
pets. Foods too rich and high in fat can lead to stomach
upsets and even more serious problems such as pancreatitis.
Also, though tempting, don't give your dog large quantities
of ham and turkey. Bones are dangerous-poultry bones splinter
easily and can lodge in your dog's mouth, throat and stomach.
Another food to keep away from dogs, is yeast dough-uncooked
dough can be very dangerous for dogs even in small amounts.
Make sure you pet-proof your garbage, since putting that
leftover turkey in the trash may prove irresistible to your
canine companion. If you have visitors, make sure they know
the rules of what, how much, and when they can feed your
dog-if anything at all. Have special dog treats available
for the holidays so everyone can feel part of the festivities.
Children, especially, have to be taught or reminded that
doggies just can't eat the same foods that people do. Make
sure not to leave food lying around where pets can get to
it. Candies, particularly those that are wrapped, can cause
internal injuries to your pet. For a complete list of food
items to keep away from your dog, check with your veterinarian
or local ASPCA. Even if your dog doesn't normally scavenge
or beg for food, the holidays can make the temptation too
much and their behavior can change.
HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS - Dogs will be
intrigued by new items in your house, especially shiny ornaments,
or tinsel. Tinsel can fall off the tree and be ingested
by your pet. Make sure they can not reach these items, especially
if you have a playful puppy or a dog with a history of getting
into household non-food items not intended to be ingested.
Don't forget to keep electrical cords out of reach. A good
way of preventing the temptation to chew on electrical cords
may be to use electrical conduits for the wires. You may
want to keep presents out of reach as well. You never know
what tempting item may be hidden under that beautiful wrapping
that may be harmful to your beloved pet if chewed or ingested.
PLANTS - Certain Christmas-season
plants like Poinsettias have an irritating sap that can
cause blistering in the mouth and stomach upset. The leaves
and berries of Christmas holly can be fatal for dogs. If
you have a real Christmas tree in the house, make sure your
dog cannot get to the water in the tree stand since his
attempts to do so may cause the tree to tip over. Additionally,
stagnant or treated water is not good for him. You might
want to avoid having a flocked tree, since some dogs may
want to lick off this potentially-toxic item.
DRESSING UP YOUR DOG - Some people
like to put ribbons and bows around dogs' necks to create
a festive look. Even the antlers that so many are fond of
embarrassing their dogs with, may look cute and funny, but
make sure they are on just for the quick photo opportunity
and not left on, since they may choke them, or they may
try to eat them when not being supervised.
STRESS - Holidays bring families
and friends together and may cause anxiety in your dog.
Once again it's important to maintain your dog's routine
activities as much as possible-regular walks and exercise
are always important. Some extra play-time chasing a favorite
toy may be just the thing your pet is craving. Try to feed
him at the same time each day and always keep plenty of
fresh water around. Give your pets a quiet place to retreat
to, especially if your normally quiet home is filled with
guests and noise. Make sure guests are aware that pets can
sneak out when doors are constantly being closed and opened.
Perhaps posting a note on the front door will help guests
remember about our doggies potentially sneaking out the
door.
TRAVELING - If you're traveling
with your dog and need to stay at a hotel during your trip,
a good guide to check out is http://www.dogfriendlyhotels.org
or http://www.petswelcome.com.
Make sure that your dog will be welcome at your final destination
and that you take his favorite toys, plenty of food, treats
and whatever else you can fit in your car to make his stay
comfortable while making sure your hosts are not too inconvenienced
by your furry (unless he's a hairless Chihuahua) family
member. Many prefer to have someone they know and trust
stay at home with their dog, so that he stays in his own
environment and with a person with whom he feels comfortable.
If boarding is the only option, make sure the kennel is
recommended by a trusted person and meets all the conditions
to ensure your dog's well-being during your absence. A site
to find a pet sitter in your area is: http://www.petsit.com/locate/.
Once again, the key is trying to maintain their routines
as much as possible and keep the levels of stress and anxiety
at a minimum.
WEATHER- The most wonderful time of the year is often
the coldest, especially in some parts of the country. Monitor
your dog's well-being when the temperatures drop, especially
when he goes outdoors. If you live in an area where roads
or sidewalks are frequently salted and you walk your dog,
you probably need to get some doggy boots or make sure you
rinse off his paws. Salt is bad for your dog's paws and
you don't want him licking it off and ingesting it. If you
have a fireplace, make sure your pet is kept at a safe distance.
It's also important to watch out for candles, since pets
can knock them down and get accidentally burned.
Celebrate this festive time of the year with your dog,
but always keep in mind that our canine companions require
special care and have unique needs. Remember, the best gifts
you can give your pet during the holidays are play and quiet
time with you. Regular walks are, of course, always welcome,
and good for you too.