Beware of These Common Christmas Dangers for Your Dogs

Christmas may be one of the most exciting times of the year for many but with all the hidden dangers that come with the festive vibe, it’s no surprise that your pooch may not share your enthusiasm.

So many things around the house can be considered potential tools for disaster as far as your furry friend is concerned – from the twinkling fairy lights to that delectable fruit cake on the dinner table. Even wrapping paper can cause choking incidents and don’t even get started on the fireworks!

In the most basic sense, your whole house turns into a giant landmine for your unsuspecting pooch and they’re not aware of what they’re up against.

As a loving and responsible fur parent, it’s your duty to ensure that your beloved pet avoids all these dog-related dilemmas and pass through the holidays unscathed.

Look out for these common Christmas dangers.

Christmas Plants

The natural Christmas flora often spur feelings of joy. At a distance, they look lovely and harmless. But to the curious pooch who dares get a taste of Christmas au naturel, it may not turn out as merry. The following seasonal plants can cause a range of gastric disasters from a simple stomach upset to full-blown allergies, vomiting, indigestion, and diarrhea.

• Amaryllis
• Balsam
• Cedar
• Christmas trees
• Cyclamen
• Holly
• Ivy
• Lilies
• Mistletoe
• Pine
• Poinsettia

Christmas Food

It’s easy to think your dog can eat whatever it is you serve yourself. But the hard truth is that approximately 214,000 cases of pet poisoning are reported every year and all these are caused by common household items that most pet owners think are harmless to their furries.

Caution should be observed especially during the holidays when there are as many people as there is food and it’s more difficult to pay attention to your dog. Look after the kids for they don’t know better and their simple act of wanting to share their treats to the family dog can lead to vet emergencies.

See to it that you keep these food items off your pooch’s Christmas feast.

• Alcohol
• Blue cheese
• Chocolate
• Christmas pudding and mince pies: grapes and dried vine fruits (currants, sultanas, raisins)
• Christmas candy
• Cooked bones
• Fruitcake
• Leftover food
• Macadamia Nuts
• Onions, Chives, and Garlic
• Raisins
• Rock Salt
• Spicy, fatty food

Other Christmas Hazards

Aside from the flora and human food, other holiday household staples that can cause Fido fiascos include:

• Antifreeze
• Batteries
• Candles
• Cigarettes
• Christmas decors like tinsel
• Essential Oils
• Fairy lights
• Potpourri
• Sticks
• Silica gel
• Snow Globes
• Wrapping or crepe paper

The Noise

The dog’s mighty sense of smell is pretty well-known but did you know that a dog’s ears are also hundreds of times better than humans’?

Their ears can pick up sounds that can’t be detected by human ears. Consequently, that makes noises that are normally loud for humans possibly ear-shattering for them. And that is a major cause of distress.

This is a very common dilemma among dog owners during holiday celebrations. It’s heartbreaking to see your fur buddy shake and cower in fear over something that’s supposedly fun.

Signs of Distress

It helps to know when your dog is in distress and possibly in need of immediate medical care. When you notice these signs, contact your local vet or the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 1-888-426-4435 (a fee may apply).

• Changes in routine and behavior
• Refusal of food
• Depression
• Pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Safety Tips

In light of these holiday dangers, the following pet safety tips will come in handy so your pooch can survive the holidays with as much fun as you’ll have.

• Keep them occupied. Stock up on their favorite treats so they can direct their energy into something else instead of getting stressed by all the holiday ruckus.
• Prepare a special room for your pet and make it as comfortable for them as possible. Choose a room in the house farthest from all the commotion.
• Let your guests know about your house rules. Involving them in your plan will help deter untoward accidents from happening. The more people are looking after Fido, the better.
• Be sure you know who to call. Know your vet’s emergency line or call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline.

Make Your Home Pet-Friendly

If you’re looking for more permanent solutions to ensure your pet’s safety at home at all times, you might want to consider some minor home remodels.

Having a pet, despite being super fun, comes with its own cons. Eventually, some adjustments will have to be made, not only for your home’s aesthetic value for also for your furry friend’s safety.

For instance, you might want to consider getting a pet-resistant flooring or add a pet-friendly entrance so they can easily come and go around the house. You might also want to install sturdy cabinets in place of your open shelves to protect your fragile collectibles.

Slip-proof rugs would be a great investment as well, and modifying designated areas in the house for your pet would surely save you some hours of tidying up.

All these may seem like little changes but it will save you more than a few bucks and a few headaches in the future.

Final Word

Christmas is supposed to be fun. Keep it that way for you, your guests, and your pooch! Have these tips handy as you prepare for merry holidays ahead.

Author Bio: Emma Nolan is a blogger, writer, and dog parent to three adorable black Labradoodles. She likes strolling outdoors with her lovable fur babies when not writing about them. She writes about pet care, health, and lifestyle at Pawstruck.

Photo by Leah Kelley & Adrianna Calvo from Pexels