Holiday Safety for Your Dog: Decorations and Food Hazards
You may or may not celebrate religious or cultural holidays at this time of year. If you do, there are often traditions that go with them in which you decorate your home with festive looking items. The shiny and bright lights, candles, new foods, plants and people create a lot of “new” energy for your dog. Here are some tips to keeping your home safe for your buddy dog during this time of year.
If you have a Christmas Tree in the house:
Secure the tree: Make sure your Christmas tree is securely anchored to prevent it from toppling over if your dog decides to investigate or play around it.
Avoid low-hanging ornaments: Hang fragile or tempting ornaments out of your dog's reach to prevent them from being knocked off or chewed.
Consider a gate: If you have a particularly curious dog, consider using a dog gate to keep them away from the tree when unsupervised.
Ornaments:
Choose safe ornaments. Opt for non-breakable or pet-safe ornaments to avoid glass or fragile decorations that could harm your dog if they break.
Avoid edible ornaments. Decorations that resemble food, treats or even cute things like birdies and bunnies, may be tempting to your dog, so avoid using them on your tree.
Tinsel and garlands: These can be hazardous if ingested by your dog. It’s best to choose an alternative so they are not even tempted, but if you must have the sparkle, hang them out of reach of your dog - even out of jumping reach!
Lights:
Keep cords out of reach. Dogs can easily chew on cords, which can result in electrical shock or other injuries. Use cord protectors or keep cords hidden.
Unplug when not in use: When you're not around to supervise, unplug decorative lights to prevent your dog from chewing and getting tangled in them.
Candles:
Be cautious with open flames. Lit candles can pose a fire hazard if your dog accidentally knocks them over or gets close with a fluffy tail. Keep candles out of your dog's reach and never, never leave your dog unattended near them.
Consider battery operated candles. Yes, battery operated candles may not have the same impact, but we humans have the ability to put meaning to a lot of things, so create your meaning and keep your dog and house safe.
Toxic Plants: Many common holiday plants, such as poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe, can be toxic to dogs. Keep these out of their reach or opt for artificial alternatives.
Gift Wrapping:
Paper and ribbon: Dogs might be tempted to chew on or ingest wrapping paper and ribbon. Dispose of these materials safely and quickly to prevent ingestion.
Dog Gifts: If you give your dog’s gifts to open, make sure you supervise them the ENTIRE TIME and be quick to retrieve the ribbon that they will undoubtedly find even more fun to play with than the gift itself.
Holiday Food: Keep festive foods out of reach. Many holiday treats are not safe for dogs, such as chocolate, raisins, and certain spices. Ensure your dog can't access these foods by keeping your counters clear or your dog on supervised tie down or in a crate.
Decorations on Tables and Countertops: Secure decorations. Anything placed on tables or countertops should be securely anchored to prevent your dog from knocking them down or doing a mouthy drive-by to steal them.
Artificial Snow and Spray: Avoid using artificial snow sprays or other chemical-based products. These can be harmful if ingested or inhaled by your dog.
Supervision and Training: While you may not have time to completely TRAIN your dog in only a few weeks, you can certainly start. Make their bed or crate have more value when there are lots of these new distractions around. Feed, feed, feed when they are choosing to be on their bed. Don’t be stingy! We decided to put up all these crazy items - reward your dog for ignoring them.
Supervise your dog: When decorating, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on your dog, especially if they are prone to investigating new items in the house.
Proofing Cues: If your dog already knows cues like "leave it" and "stay", now is a great time to reinforce and proof the behaviors to help your dog “just in case” they decide to get into something on the “non-approved list”.
By taking these precautions and being aware of potential hazards, you can enjoy a festive holiday season while keeping their dog safe. Remember that each dog is unique, and some may be more prone to curiosity or mischief, so tailor your safety measures accordingly.
