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Holiday Safety Tips

‘Tis the season to be small and furry. ‘Tis also the season for spry little toes! The holidays are wonderful, but the risks inherent in being an itty bitty dog are all too real. With family get-togethers and cocktail parties, the hazards, especially for new puppy pawrents, can leave you unprepared. If you want to include your dog into the festivities, be careful not to let your guests offer human treats. All too often you’re busy having fun entertaining or, as is the usual at some point during a party – you’re trying to look interested in a really boring story, holding back your yawn and longing to pull a hair out of your head and floss with it. But when you’re not looking, the risk of crushed toes from the yuletide conga line and poisoning from the chocolate covered cherry that your guest just dropped and rudely left there, can create an abrupt end to the holiday cheer and an emergency trip to the vet.

Follow these tips for your dog’s safety when planning a party:

• Use Carob in place of chocolate when it comes to making holiday sweets. Chocolate is toxic and can kill a small dog quickly… so can even a small amount of alcohol.

• Go online and study the list of foods that can be toxic to your pooch, eliminating them from the hors d’oeuvres, buffet and dinner menu all together. This way, if food is accidentally dropped or if some sneaky Santa decides to slip your dog a nibble – she’ll be safe!

• If your tree is on the floor, string lights and garland high enough so that your dog, when wandering under and around the tree, won’t get inadvertently tangled - which could mean strangulation, electrocution or the tree toppling over on your dog! Uncle Archie tried to climb the tree after too much spiked eggnog last year. He got caught in the bubble bulb string, pulled down the tree and ruined the party! *just kidding*

• Refrain from using tinsel, string or ribbon on your tree. If ingested it can cause an intestinal blockage and even internal bleeding.

• Shiny glass ornaments on Christmas trees are traditional and beautiful but can be irresistible toys for many dogs. If you must have them on your tree, set them high up away from the dog and make sure they are very secure as they can also fall, shattering and cutting your precious pooch’s piggies!

• Tree flocking and artificial snow, although most are not toxic when dry, can get in your dogs eyes and cause irritation, as well as being inhaled, causing irritation and inflammation to the lungs. I say “strike the flocking!” There is nothing more beautiful than a natural tree.

• Poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe are poisonous, and the product that you add to your Christmas tree water can cause serious diarrhea if ingested. Keep toxic plants up high and, if you can’t prevent your dog from drinking the tree’s water - throw a little sugar in your tree water instead of store bought preservative. ¼ cup of sugar to a half gallon of water in the beginning and a nice slice off the bottom of the trunk just before you put it in the stand should do the trick. Keep your tree, and your dog, healthy and happy this holiday season!

Happy Pawlidays!

With over two decades of expertise as a dog trainer and animal behaviorist, Colleen teaches people to be kind to their dogs using love and leadership in combination with “speaking” dog language. A columnist for Fido Friendly and regular guest expert for many national magazines, TV and radio programs, she also founded National Dog Day, (August 26th)! Check out Colleen's new book, The Good Behavior Book for Dogs.