Happy Holidays! Many of us will be quite busy with seasonal preparations and events over the next few weeks. Your canine pal will be right there with you as you get ready for the year’s festivities. However, you’ll want to keep a close eye on Fido. The holidays can be dangerous for dogs! A New Orleans, LA vet lists some seasonal hazards below.
Decorations
Never underestimate Fido’s penchant for chewing on, well, everything. Keep this in mind when decorating. Anything small or sharp is a potential hazard. That list includes things like tinsel, ornament hooks, pine needles, ribbons, and lights.
Plants
Many seasonal plants are toxic to pups. Mistletoe, holly, ivy, poinsettias, and even pine are all unsafe for Fido. If you get real plants, keep them in spots your furry pal can’t reach. Ask your vet for more information.
Tree
Ornaments, ornament hooks, ribbons, lights, garlands: almost all of the traditional decorations present some sort of danger. The water is also a concern: it may contain traces of pesticides or other chemicals. Older dogs may ignore presents, but many younger pups are chewing machines. Presents can also be unsafe. Tape, staples, ribbon, and plastics are all hazardous for Fido. Consider putting a puppy gate in front of your tree.
Food
There’s nothing wrong with giving Fido a few extra treats. Just stick with safe options. Don’t give your canine friend table scraps and/or anything high in salt, sugar, or fat. Meat on the bone is another huge no-no: cooked bones can break into shards and slivers that can cause serious, and potentially life-threatening injuries. Other unsafe foods include grapes and raisins, chocolate, avocado, and garlic. Ask your vet for more information.
Fire
Play it safe with candles and fireplaces. Put a grate before fireplaces, and keep heaters and candles in spots where your pooch can’t knock them over.
Wires
Keep cords out of paws’ reach. Fido could burn his mouth or even start a fire by chewing live wires. Use protective coverings or taste deterrents on anything you can’t move out of the way.
Stress
Guests, travel, boarding, schedule changes, and even changes in décor can all stress out your canine buddy. Take extra time to walk and play with Fido, and try to avoid disrupting his usual doggy agenda. As your New Orleans, LA animal clinic, we’re here to help. Contact us anytime!
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