Winter is upon us, and that means there’s going to be a lot of activity to get everything ready in time for the holidays. People will be busy bustling about putting up decorations, preparing food, and wrapping gifts. In all of this commotion, it can be easy to overlook your dog’s safety, which can result in some disastrous emergencies.
To keep your dog safe during the holidays, you can take some small precautions that will go a long way in keeping them out of harm’s way. Here are some tips you can follow:
Be Mindful of the Food They Eat
One thing that comes with the holidays is the delicious food. You’ve got friends and family making all kinds of delectable dishes that it’s hard to keep track of what you have and haven’t eaten yet. However, that also means it can be easy to overlook what your dog has eaten, too.
As much as possible, avoid giving your dog any leftovers from the table, especially if you aren’t sure if it’s safe for them or not. The rule of thumb here is that it’s better to be safe than sorry. As another precaution, set up a list of foods that are and aren’t safe for your dog so that everyone in the house knows about it.
You can also stock up on some dog treats from your local pet store so that you have something to give them when all the humans are enjoying their food.
Keep the House Clean of Any Choking Hazards
The holidays bring about a lot of new things into the house usually via all the presents people give. Your dog may mistake some strange new objects for a new chew toy from the local pet store, which can lead to some serious disasters.
Avoid the need to rush to an emergency vet by keeping your house clean of any choking hazards. That means tidying up as you go about wrapping presents and cleaning up after your kids’ new toys and clothes. You don’t want your dog to accidentally choke on a piece of ribbon or plastic.
Keep Your Dog Away from Decorations
Holiday decorations are fun and festive, and you should definitely put them up if you want to. However, be mindful of your dog’s behavior towards them. They might see your Christmas tree and ornaments as exciting new toys to play with.
You can block all the access points your dog has to these decorations if they’re not trained yet so that there won’t be any accidents. You could also divert their attention by letting them spend more time outdoors on jogs and even just playing around outside. That way, they won’t have a lot of pent-up energy indoors.
Final Thoughts
The holidays are always seen as a fun time, and it should stay that way for everyone. Part of being a responsible pet owner is ensuring your dog gets to enjoy their time during the holiday season while being safe. Make sure they get food that’s safe for them and that they’re only playing with toys that are specifically made for them.
If you’re worried about your pet getting into any of the presents or holiday decorations, you can always entertain them with toys and treats from your local pet store. That way, they know what objects they can play with and what food they can snack on.
Wags to Wiskers is a pet store in Chelsea, Michigan. We sell numerous pet supplies including natural and holistic pet foods for dogs and cats. Get in touch with us today for more information.