The holidays are just around the corner so it isn't too soon to plan for your dog's happy and healthy holiday season. Holiday safety isn't so different from other times of the year, except the dog often gets forgotten in the chaos and comings and goings of the holiday season. The biggest hazard is when so much is going on in the house, and you wonder "Gee, how's the dog doing? I haven't seen him for a while." Don't lose sight of your pet in the midst of celebrating. The most important advice is to be aware of potential problems.
The holiday season potentially can bring serious illness or injury to your dog. Here are safety hazards and tips to keep your holidays memorable for all the right reasons.
Alcoholic beverages
Drunken dogs are not cute. An ounce of a beverage that's 20 to 40 proof can cause alcohol poisoning or coma in a small dog such as a Yorkie or Pomeranian. Keep eggnog and punch out of your dog's reach.
Angel hair
Because it's made from spun glass, it can irritate the skin, cause cuts and damage the eyes. If eaten, it can cause intestinal blockage.
Artificial snow, flocking
These are possibly poisonous, can cause digestive upset or be a respiratory irritant if inhaled. Spray only the upper corners of high windows.
Candles
Flame or dripping wax can burn dogs or singe their whiskers or hair. Also, they're a fire hazard if the pet knocks them over. Save candles for the dining room table, and don't burn them near an unattended pet.
Electric cords
Dogs can be shocked, burned or electrocuted by chewing on cords. Run cords through PVC piping, cover with rugs or secure to the floor by placing behind or beneath furniture.
Fasteners for decorations
Glue, rubber bands, staples, string, tacks and tape can cause mild pain, serious complications or death if swallowed. Store them in a secure spot. Discard used items when decorations are removed.
Fire/fireplaces, including ashes, popping wood and fire/color salts
These can cause bronchial irritation, burns, skin irritation and digestive distress. Color salts are moderately toxic if ingested. Keep the fire screen in front of the fireplace while in use. Use a second screen on the floor level below the hearth to keep the dog farther away from sparks. (Dogs can get burned before they feel anything.) When the coals are cool, thoroughly clean the fireplace and close tightly with glass or metal doors.
Food
Bones can cause choking, internal punctures, possibly death. Chocolate can cause theobromine poisoning, which is an over-stimulation of the nervous system, and may be fatal. Chocolate also causes vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, hyperactivity and seizures. Fatty, spicy or sweet foods lead to gastric upset, dehydration and pancreatitis. Burns and mouth or throat ulcerations can result from hot food. Don't share holiday goodies with your dog. If you can't resist, give a healthy treat instead. Keep your dog out of the dining area and feed it its regular dinner while you eat. Don't leave cooking food unattended or set hot dishes near the edge of stove or counter. Don't leave candy, cookies or other snacks where you dog can reach them.
Garbage/food prep items
These include aluminum foil and pans, candy wrappers, paper plates and cups, plastic flatware, plastic wrap, roasting bags, plastic six-pack beverage rings, and turkey lacing or skewers. All these items can cause abdominal discomfort, intestinal blockage, internal bleeding, even death. They also present a danger of suffocation, choking or food poisoning if eaten. Store garbage under the sink, in a closet or in a fastened containers.
Guests
They add to the noise, confusion and stress for your pets. Dogs can be stepped on, or unsupervised children can injure them. Pets can escape when visitors come and go. Guests are more likely to feed dogs than owners. Multiple guests each feeding 'just a little bite' adds up to quite a lot of food. Ask your guests not to feed your dog.
Also, if guests are uncomfortable around dogs, or if extra activity causes your dog anxiety, board it for the holidays. Your dog should sleep in a regular spot; if it is where it will be distressed, move the dog to a quiet place where it will be comfortable.
Decorative lights
Dogs can become tangled in the strands, leading to burns and cuts. They can create the same hazards as electric cords. Bubbling lights filled with methylene chloride can be moderately toxic. String lights together through the interior of the tree and run connecting cord under the tree skirt.
Ornaments, including straight pins, hooks, glass and edible garlands
Food ornaments can be moderately toxic, causing gastric upset. All items have the potential to cause fatal complications if ingested. Use ornaments your dog finds uninteresting. Easily-broken glass ornaments can cut your dog's paw or mouth. Instead of hooks, use decorative ribbon. In general, don't place decorations within your dog's reach or where it can climb or jump up to them. Consider keeping your dog out of the rooms you decorate. Putting a baby gate across the door keeps your dog out but allows visual access to family gatherings.
Costumes and accessories
Never place costumes on unsupervised pets because they may cause choking or strangulation. As an alternative, buy a holiday-print collar or bandana for your dog. If you do use a costume on your pet, do not leave it unsupervised.
Potpourri, aerosol fragrance, incense and simmer pots
These can cause nasal or respiratory irritation and burns. Use these only when your dog is not in the room. Potpourri can also lead to stomach upset if eaten because it often includes cones, needles and berries that, like living plants, can be toxic to your dog.
Plants - Christmas cactus, holly, ivy, hemlock, mistletoe and poinsettia
These plants range from mildly upsetting to extremely toxic. If eaten, they can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, coma, central nervous system or cardiac problems or even death. Spray leaves with Bitter Apple repellent. Immediately discard dead leaves, stems or berries.
Gift wrapping
Ribbon, trim, polystyrene foam packaging, wrapping foil and paper are dangerous if eaten. Wrap packages in an area away from the dog. Collect and discard waste. Put away wrapping supplies securely when not using. Give dogs their own packages to open. Wrap loosely in plain paper and
supervise unwrapping.
Tinsel
This popular decoration can cause intestinal strangulation, obstruction, internal cuts and scrapes.
Toys and treats
Children's toys may have small parts dogs can swallow causing choking, gastric distress or intestinal blockage. Extensive ingestion of edible pet treats, such as pig ears or large rawhide bones, also can cause digestive upset or choking. YGRR does not recommend rawhide because it can sometimes bring out inappropriate guarding behavior in otherwise tranquil dogs. If you must give your dog rawhide, only purchase American made products. The chemicals used in imported rawhide are very strong and cannot be good for your dog's health.
Provide your dog with appropriate toys. Supervise playtime, especially with unusual or untried toys.
Live trees, including balsam, cedar, juniper, fir and pine
Sap or preservatives may be mildly toxic, causing mouth or stomach irritation. Needles cannot be digested and may puncture intestines. Rambunctious pets can knock over tall trees, cutting themselves on broken decorations. Male dogs may perceive an indoor tree as a place to leave a mark -- literally!
Place your tree in a room away from your dog or put decorative fencing around the tree. Cover the floor under the tree with plastic. Anchor the tree to the floor with sturdy weights on the stand or tie the tree to the wall and ceiling to prevent tipping. Decorate only the upper limbs, leaving the lower ones bare. Fasten all decorations tightly to the branches.
Routine
This is often forgotten during the busy holidays, but keeping to your dog-walking schedule will help keep your pet's world consistent. An annoying thing about the holidays is the lack of time. It's important to find time to exercise your dog. An exercised dog is happier and is less likely to get into trouble.
Remind children not to leave food, toys or decorations where the dog can get to them. Don't let young children and dogs play together unsupervised during such a hectic time. Also, provide a quiet place where your dog can get away from the hustle and bustle.
Pets may have a hard time adjusting to the increase in activity during the holidays. They may not handle the stress well. Think about the special risks the holidays impose. Know the location of the emergency vet hospital in your area. Don't panic and give up on finding help. A little foresight might help your pet survive a holiday accident.
The holidays are not ideal for introducing a pet into your family. New puppies and dogs require extra attention and a stable environment, which holiday season does not permit. Also, a puppy or dog is not a toy or a gift that can be returned. Instead, give a festively wrapped can of dog
food or a leash as a symbol of the dog to come.
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This information is made available to you by the efforts of YGRR volunteers. To join them in helping our homeless Goldens, please consider becoming a member or making a donation.
Thank you.
