Holidays With Fido

The holidays are coming up quick! This time of year can get pretty hectic. Your canine buddy will be right by your side—or at your feet—as you prepare for and enjoy seasonal traditions. Read on as a New Orleans, LA vet offers tips on keeping your pup happy, healthy, and safe during the holidays.

Don’t forget to get your furry friend a few special gifts. If your furry friend could write to Santa Claws, we suspect that toys and treats would be at the top of his list. Beds also make great presents! Other good stocking stuffers include grooming supplies, paw-care kits, water bottles with dispensers, a new leash, collar, or harness, or perhaps even a doghouse!

Food is often front and center at many holiday celebrations. Fido will definitely notice when those delicious dishes come out of the oven! Plain, cooked meat, fish, or poultry, without the skin, bones, or fat, is a great treat. Just be careful what you give your pooch, as many popular dishes are toxic to dogs. Never give your furry buddy anything that contains garlic, onions, scallions, or chives; nuts; chocolate; caffeine; or xylitol. Grapes, currants, and raisins are also dangerous, as are other pitted fruits, meat on the bone, and raw dough or yeast. If you’re hosting dinners, ask guests not to feed your pet without permission. Not everyone knows what is and isn’t safe for dogs!

Keep your pup’s safety in mind as you are decorating. Some dogs will eat, well, pretty much anything. Ornaments, ornament hooks, ribbons, tinsel, pine needles, lights, and anything small or sharp are all serious hazards to a playful pooch. The tree water is another concern, as it could contain residue from fertilizer or pesticides. Keep candles and potpourri burners in a spot that Fido can’t reach. Many seasonal plants are also dangerous to dogs. Holly, ivy, mistletoe, poinsettias, and other popular holiday plants should also be kept out of paws’ reach.

Are you having company? Help your canine companion put his best paw forward by giving him a good bath beforehand. It’s also a good idea to tire Fido out with walks and playtime, so he’ll be a bit calmer when your company arrive.

Happy Holidays! Please contact us, your New Orleans, LA vet clinic, for all your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!