Howliday Safety
How to Keep Your Dog Safe During the Holidays: Essential Tips for Pet Owners
The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and arguing with loved ones. For many of us, that includes our furry family members. However, the hustle and bustle of the holidays can pose quite a few risks to our dogs. From hazardous foods to open doors, there are countless opportunities for accidents to happen. Emergency veterinarians are often overwhelmed during the holidays, and the number of lost pets skyrockets. Take it from me after spending eight hours at the emergency vet in the Friday before Christmas, it’s not where you want to spend the day! Taking a few simple precautions can help keep your dog safe and ensure your holiday is filled with happy memories instead of unexpected emergencies.
1. Be Mindful of New Foods
The holidays are my favorite time of year for cooking and baking, but many of our treats can be dangerous or even deadly for dogs. Common holiday hazards include:
• Chocolate: Especially dark and baking chocolate, which contains theobromine and can cause severe illness. Very small amounts can be a non-issue for large dogs, but it’s best to stay on the safe side.
• Bones: Cooked bones from turkeys or hams can splinter and cause choking or internal damage.
• Fatty Foods: Rich, fatty foods like gravy and buttery dishes can lead to pancreatitis.
• Onions, Garlic, Grapes, and Raisins: Found in stuffing, casseroles, or baked goods, these ingredients are toxic to dogs.
• Alcohol: Even small amounts can be harmful.
What to do: Keep food and drinks out of your dog’s reach, and ask guests not to feed them scraps. Provide your pup with their own dog-safe treats so they can feel included in the festivities.
2. Secure Doors and Gates
Holiday gatherings mean increased foot traffic in your home, which can make it easy for a dog to slip out unnoticed. Unfortunately, shelters and rescue organizations report an increase in lost pets during the holidays, many of whom never make it back home.
What to do:
• Use baby gates or keep your dog in a safe, secure room during high-traffic times.
• Double-check that collars are snug and your dog’s ID tags are up-to-date.
• Consider microchipping your dog if they’re not already chipped. If they are, ensure your contact information is current with the microchip registry. Microchips often require yearly maintenance to be useful. Read more here.
3. Avoid Dangerous Decorations
Holiday décor can be tempting for curious pups, but some decorations pose serious risks.
• Tinsel and Ribbon: These can cause life-threatening blockages if ingested.
• Glass Ornaments: They can shatter and injure your dog’s paws or mouth.
• Holiday Plants: Poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly berries are toxic to dogs.
What to do: Opt for pet-safe decorations and keep potentially hazardous items out of reach. Secure your Christmas tree to prevent tipping, and avoid placing breakable ornaments near the bottom.
4. Monitor Your Dog’s Stress Levels
The holidays can be overwhelming for dogs, especially those who are shy or sensitive to noise. A house full of guests, loud music, or fireworks on New Year’s Eve can cause stress or anxiety.
What to do:
• Create a quiet, comfortable space where your dog can retreat if they feel overwhelmed.
• Consider using calming aids like white noise or vet-approved medications or supplements. I always prefer training over medicating, but if you’re reading this now, you can always train for next year!
5. Be Prepared for Emergencies
Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen. Emergency vet clinics are notoriously busy during the holidays, often with long wait times for urgent care.
What to do:
• Research the nearest 24/7 emergency vet clinic ahead of time and keep their contact information handy.
• Know the signs of common emergencies, like poisoning, blockage and bloating, so you can act quickly.
• Have a pet first-aid kit stocked and ready.
6. Keep an Eye on Holiday Guests
Guests unfamiliar with dog safety may inadvertently pose a risk. For example, they might leave food within reach, open doors, or bring unsafe gifts for your pet.
What to do:
• Brief your guests on house rules regarding your dog. My home carries a one strike rule. Anyone who feeds my dogs, tries to let them out, or disregards my requests is either asked to leave or the dog is put away. This may seem harsh, but they will not be the ones waiting at the vet after they feed your dog a turkey leg. Save your dog and your friendships by keeping your dog close to you, on place, or put away. Remember, it’s just one day!
• Ask them to keep their belongings off the floor or in an area that your dog can’t access, especially if they contain medications, gum (xylitol is toxic to dogs), or other hazards.
• Supervise interactions between your dog and younger visitors who might not understand boundaries. Put your dog away if your guests struggle to accept your or your dog’s boundaries.
A Safe and Happy Holiday Season
By taking proactive steps, you can minimize risks and ensure your dog stays safe and happy throughout the holidays. Remember, a little preparation goes a long way. Emergency vet clinics see far too many preventable incidents this time of year, so keeping safety top of mind can save you from heartache—and a hefty vet bill.
Enjoy the holidays with peace of mind, knowing you’ve done everything possible to protect your furry companion. After all, the best gift you can give your dog is a safe and loving home, no matter the season.
When in doubt, it’s okay to miss out. There is always time to train and prepare your dog for next year, but if you haven’t been putting in the work already, now is not the time to challenge your dog or put them to the test. If you have any concerns that your dog is a flight risk or you don’t trust them to behave around your guests who may drop food or leave doors open, just secure them in a safe room or crate, leash walk for bathroom breaks, and keep things calm. If you’re reading this on Christmas Eve, you still have time to prepare some frozen Kongs and set up a cozy crate.
The Fetch Happens Crew is wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday!
