Christmas and the festive season can be a ruff time for pup parents, especially if your furry friend is still a curious little rascal, keen on investigating all the oddities that pop up in the home during this time of year. But fear not!
These pointers are important for pups of all ages, but be more cautious with young pups and puppies, it will be their first debut to the Christmas scene. Seeing their first Christmas tree decked out in all of its glitzy, shiny glory, all the fun decorations all over the house and not to mention the smells of all the yummy new food! As you can imagine, it could be overwhelming for them, yet it might also ignite their inquisitiveness or urge for mischief. So make sure you watch them like a hawk!
Now without further ado, let's jump right into the first topic on our list ...
Christmas Trees!
A real Christmas tree is still a festive staple in many homes, however, were you aware they might present a danger to your furry friend? Not only do they shed prickly needles, which can get stuck in your furry friend's throat if swallowed, or hurt sensitive toebeans, they also produce natural oils that are mildly toxic to dogs. While mostly not a big deal, these oils might irritate your furry friends mouth and tummy if swallowed. If you've got a real tree with water in the stand, make sure your pup can't get to it and drink it. The tree might have fertiliser or other nasties that's not dog-friendly.
Tinsel
Many dogs just can't resist the sparkle and shimmer of tinsel (many humans too), yet it may lead to serious clogs if they take a nibble and mistakenly swallow pieces. That doesn't mean throw the tinsel out completely! Just keep an eye on your furry pals when thery're around it and tidy up any stray bits.
Fairy Lights
Similar to tinsel, fairy lights can draw in curious pets, but beware - they pack a shocking bite if chewed! Especially those old school non-LED light bulbs that can get hot real fast, so its best to keep them away from mischievous paws!! Chomping on a wire might lead to too much liquid in the lungs, which could be dangerous, so make sure to inspect for bite marks or holes every so often just in case your furry friend gets a hankering for a sneaky nibble. Just avoid leaving pups alone near the Christmas tree, and all will be jolly!
Snowglobes
A surprising one, I know, but beware! Imported snow globes may have antifreeze that's dangerous if ingested by your furry friends! Steer clear of cheap, imported snow globes wherever you can. If you're a snow globe fan, keep them high up to prevent any smashing mishaps!
Wrapping Paper
(This pointer is here especially after seeing everyone joining in the wrapping paper trends on Instagram, which is super cute, but do not forget to put the wrapping paper away after taking all the pics and videos!)
Although some wrapping paper might have a hint of bleach and toxic colors, it probably won't hurt your furry friends. However, consuming too much might result in a tummy or intestine jam, so stash that wrapping paper up high when not in use and toss it in the trash pronto when you're finished unwrapping all your lovely pressies!
Batteries
With all these cool new toys and gadgets around, you'll probably find more batteries scattered about the house than usual. If chewed or ingested, they may lead to blockages, chemical burns, and metal poisoning. So keep an eye out for rogue batteries your pup might snatch up!
Rock salt
The stuff for de-icing roads and paths, known as grit, has sodium chloride (salt) that could be dangerous for dogs. When dogs get something on their paws or fur, they'll want to lick or chew it off, but that's risky! If dogs munch on salt, they might end up with high blood sodium levels, causing upset stomachs, sluggishness, shaking, and kidney issues. If your furry friend has been strolling on grit, it's wise to give their toebeans a good wipe and any fur on display (like their legs or tummy). Dogs may drink it from puddles of melted snow. So ensure you have some fresh water on hand for them instead!
Christmas Plants
Some festive foliage brought inside during the holidays like holly, ivy, and mistletoe could make your furry friends sick, causing them to vomit. If you have these around, just make sure they're out of paws reach, tidy up any stray bits that hit the ground, and all will be hunky-dory!
Guests/Medications
It's not just the meds, but sometimes having all the guests over at once can stress out your pooch. Get ready for guests ahead of time, make sure your pup has a safe spot to escape to. This could be a quiet room like their own man-cave or a crate, just find a chill spot for your pup where they won't be bothered, and don't forget to leave them some noms, water, and their fave toys, so they're all set in their cozy zone. Don't forget, this goes for any furry visitors too!
Also make sure folks coming over know not to slip the dog any chocolate or other forbidden treats!
HUMAN FOOD
Loads of the yummy things we fancy as Christmas goodies could spell trouble for our furry friends. Amidst all the Christmasy hullabaloo, our furry friends might just seize the chance to snag themselves a few sneaky scrumptious snacks – so please ensure kitchen cupboards stay shut, opt for a sturdy waste bin that won't tip over easily, clear off those dinner plates once you're finished, and tackle any spills and crumbs straight away.
We get how tough it is when our pup is giving us those puppy dog eyes, making it so tempting to share our holiday feast with him! After all, we just wanna ensure he's part of the festive fun too! Though sharing a bite of turkey with your pup is totally cool, certain holiday goodies we indulge in during the Christmas season should stay off the doggy menu...
Chocolate
Christmas is a time for feasting, drinking, and spreading cheer. With so much food, it's a piece of cake to leave yummy treats like chocolates out and about. Unfortunately, chocolate is super toxic to dogs, and even a tiny taste can be deadly!
To lower the odds of poisoning, never
Grapes/Raisins/Sultanas
Yet another risky delight is the sugar-free pastries and candies. These may sneakily include the sugar substitute xylitol! In pooches, this might mean struggling with blood sugar levels dropping and liver failure.
Onions/Garlic/Leeks/Chives
Onions and products with onions, like gravy and stuffing, along with garlic, leeks, and chives could mess with your furry friends red blood cells and lead to anemia if too much is consumed!Nuts
Nuts, like macadamia nuts and walnuts, might lead to sleepiness (yawn), heat waves, shakes, and tummy troubles. Don't let curious pups get their paws on these!
Nutmeg/Cinnamon
Nutmeg spices up festive treats but watch out, it's a pet poison causing tremors and seizures! Cinnamon, not quite as risky as nutmeg, can still cause a storm in your dog's tummy!
Blue Cheese
Roquefort and other blue cheeses have a funky substance named roquefortine C, made by the fungus used to create these cheeses. When pooches encounter this stuff, they can get pretty sensitive, in some extreme cases it could lead to muscle tremors and seizures which could last up to two days! It's better to be safe than sorry, avoid overloading your pup with too much cheese!
Alcohol
Keep the party drinks away from your furry friends, alcohol is really bad due to its downer effect on the nervous system! Pups can get drunk just like humans, and too much booze can cause their blood pressure, body temp, and blood sugar to hit rock bottom, plus cause tremors, seizures and comas. Mixed cocktails can especially cause some issues. They pack more punch than beer and wine, and loads of holiday drinks include a dairy base.
Christmas Dinner
A delicious festive dinner is an important part of Christmas, but as we gather around the table and indulge in the vast array of yummy treats we gotta keep our pups paws on the floor and resist the urge to share our grub! During this season, when everyone is feeling merry and giving, it's tough to resist those pleading puppy dog eyes and not "mistakenly" drop a tasty piece of seasoned turkey or potato chunk. Unfortunately, doing this isn't exactly a treat for you or your pup, as these 'one-time exceptions' often result in a trip to the vet. Our grub - especially the delicious Christmas roast - is way too spicy and greasy for pups and could cause some tummy troubles.
Not to mention the bones! Don't let your pup near those poultry bones from the chicken or turkey, ya hear? Since they can splinter really easily (especially when cooked) and end up
Human Food Dogs Can Have:
- Small portions of cooked, boneless and skinless white meat like chicken or turkey. Just ensure it's lean with no extra seasoning or flavouring. Chicken and turkey are both high in protein as well as low in fat (when prepared correctly), so either meat makes for a juicy, healthy option for a dog's lunch.
- Cranberry sauce! Treat your pup to a small bit on their turkey if you like but just a smidge and only if it is pure cranberry sauce with nothing else added like sweeteners, sugars or other fruits and nuts etc.
- Potatoes! A yummy holiday delight, just remember to give your pup plain mashed or boiled spuds with no extras added (e.g. salt, butter). Once more for good measure, moderation is key. Potatoes, in all their forms, can be quite starchy, causing trouble for doggy digestion.
- Sweet potatoes are a healthy pup-friendly choice. Ensure they are cooked, plain, and free of sugar or spices.
- Go easy on the veggies but you can treat your pup to carrot, parsnip, green beans, courgette, Brussel sprouts, broccoli buds (just a teensy bit), peas, spinach, cauliflower etc... Most green or mixed veggies are fine for dogs. If like me you love a bit of mashed carrot and parsnip with your Christmas dinner your pup will definitely dig it too, just skip the butter and seasoning for their serving.
- A small chunk of plain, cooked, boneless salmon
By staying cautious about what holiday treats are within your dog’s reach, you can avoid a jolly disaster and keep your fur baby in tip-top shape. Remember, sharing chow with your pup can be tempting, but stick to pet-safe picks to dodge any dangers. Don't forget, even the safe human food should be given to your pooch in moderation! An excess of any grub, particularly something new to your pooch, whether bad or not, might upset their tummy or leave them feeling ill.
If you're anxious about your dog's health, or think your pup's been up to no good and snacked on something sketchy, talk to your vet stat! Never try to make your dog sick. Attempting this may lead to additional issues, potentially putting your furry friend at risk.If you can, pass along info to your vet about:
- What toxic treats you suspect your furry friend has gotten into (like chocolate, ibuprofen, etc.) Mention any product names, or ingredients if applicable
- When your pup stumbled upon the toxic concoction (like, did it happen five minutes back, five hours back, or five days back?)
- How much they could've taken in (for example: 500mg, 500ml, a single tablet, etc. Even guesstimates could be useful)
- If your pooch has been under the weather and, if yes, what strange symptoms they have shown.
Thank you for taking the time to read our guide to a safe and jolly Christmas! We hope this article helps you keep your doggies safe and happy during the festive holidays and that you all have a very merry Christmas!