How to make your Christmas celebrations safe and comfortable for your dog

With only a few days left until Christmas, you may be getting ready to attend or host a holiday gathering. If your dog(s) will be in attendance too, there are some additional things to consider when preparing for your celebration, including food safety, gift and toy safety, and their comfort.

Holiday Food Safety Considerations

Whether you like to share table scraps with your pup(s) or they like to steal them without permission, it is important to know which holiday foods are safe vs. unsafe for our canine companions. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org) and Dr. Valerie Parker at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (yahoo.com) the following common holiday foods/ingredients are UNSAFE and off-limits for dogs:

• Chocolate

• Sugar and artificial sweetener

• Turkey skin and turkey, especially when seasoned and containing bones

• Ham, especially when seasoned and containing bones

• Onions

• Garlic

• Raisins and grapes

• Gravy

• Meat fats

• Yeast-containing doughs

Dr. Parker (yahoo.com) reports that the following holiday foods are SAFE for most dogs when given in small amounts and unseasoned:

• Carrots

• Dried cranberries

• Broccoli

• Sweet potatoes

• Pumpkin

• Pears

• Green beans

Of course, consult your dog(s) veterinarian regarding any specific dietary concerns or restrictions. If you are concerned that your dog(s) may have ingested something, contact the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: 1-888-426-4435.

Holiday Gift/Toy Safety Considerations

It's also important to consider the additional hazards that may be present to your dog(s) as a result of opening gifts during your celebration. Here are a few tips to keep in mind and to help keep your pup(s) safe:

• Throw away any ribbons, strings, bows, or wrapping paper right away to prevent your pup(s) from playing with and possibly ingesting them.

• Remove any tags from your dog(s)' new toys before letting them play with them & supervise your dog(s) playing with new toys in case they rip or break - this is to prevent choking or accidental ingestion.

• Do not leave batteries out as they may be appealing toys for your pup(s) and can be a choking hazard as well as poisonous.

Christmas trees can also be hazardous, especially for excited dogs who want to play near (or maybe even on) them. With all of the lights, ornaments, and gifts, a knocked over Christmas tree can quickly become dangerous. It may be best to prevent your pup(s) from getting too close to the tree or even consider tying your tree to a doorway or other anchor point so that it can't be knocked over (avma.org).

Comfort Considerations

Even dogs who love being around people may become overwhelmed and overstimulated by all the activity during a holiday celebration. Consider setting up a quiet, private comfort area for them to escape to if needed. This can also be helpful for pups who are nervous around other people or other animals. You may want to include the following:

• Their favorite bed, blanket, or other comfortable sleeping surface

• A favorite toy

• If crate-trained, their crate

• A sound machine or relaxing music (for example, "Calming Music for Pets" on Amazon Music)

If the space does not allow for you to create a comfort area, be aware of your pup(s)' body language and let them escape outside if needed.

By being prepared, you can ensure that both you and your pets have a fun and safe Christmas holiday. Is there anything you would add to these lists? Let us know in the comments below!

References:

• American Veterinary Medical Association. Winter holiday pet safety. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/holiday-pet-safety.

• Dowdy, Sarah M. (2021). Are all Christmas foods bad for dogs? Here's what your pup can and can't eat according to a veterinary nutritionist. https://news.yahoo.com/christmas-foods-bad-dogs-heres-111000892.html