The holiday season that takes place during fall and winter is a great time to make memories with not only family, but your pets as well! To ensure you and your pet have a fun and safe holiday season together, here are some essential pet safety tips to follow.
Prepare Your Guests For Pets
If you are hosting a holiday party, make sure to inform your visitors ahead of time that you have a pet. They may have allergies, a fear of pets, or want to bring along their own pet. If your pets will not be confined during the party and are free to roam, remind guests to watch the door when entering and exiting your home so that your pets don’t get loose outside. Remind guests to secure their medication somewhere safe, not in a purse or bag a pet can easily get into. If your guests are bringing their young children, encourage them to supervise every interaction their kids have with your pets.
Prepare Your Pet for Guests
If your dog gets nervous around company, try to provide a quiet space away from company where he can feel safe, but still has access to fresh water and cozy blankets. Take time to play with him and give extra cuddles and stress-relieving walks during the holidays. There are a number of mild calming remedies including Zylkene®, Anxitane®, and Adaptil® that you can use during the holidays to minimize your dog’s anxiety. Ask your veterinarian if these would be suitable for your dog. Whether you plan to host guests for dinner or visitors for several days, practicing your dog’s obedience skills beforehand will help set them up for success. If you plan to confine your pet during dinner or other parts of your weekend, get your routine ready now so your pet knows what to expect. When guests are over, keep your pet’s regular exercise routine. Exercise not only keeps your pet healthy, but can alleviate the stresses of new people, elevated noise and activity levels, unusual smells, and irregular schedules. Making time for exercise not only tires them out, but guarantees personal time with you, minimizing problem behavior.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving often means a bustling kitchen, but it is important to keep your pets away from hot appliances, sharp knives, and tempting food smells. You can set up a pet-friendly space away from the kitchen, where they can relax safely while you cook.
If you decide to feed your pet a bite of turkey, make sure it’s boneless, fully cooked, and unseasoned. Undercooked turkey may contain salmonella bacteria and poultry bones can be a major choking hazard. Onions and garlic are both seasonings in a lot of Thanksgiving dishes, but they can be toxic to pets. Bouillon cubes used for making stocks and gravy contain high amounts of sodium which can lead to gastrointestinal problems and even seizures. Your garbage can fill up with bones, chocolate, onions and plenty of other holiday hazards, so remember to take the trash out throughout the day!
Turkey Trot
If you and your dog are participating in a turkey trot race on Thanksgiving, there are some things to keep in mind. If you have a puppy, remember their joints are still developing, so talk with your vet about how long they should do high-impact exercise, like running on concrete. If you and your dog are planning to run the race, rather than walk, you should do some training in the weeks leading up to the race. Start by increasing your dog’s exercise to slowly build up their endurance for walking and/or running. Practicing together can help your dog learn not to pull or trip you with the leash, and to keep a pace with you. This will also help promote muscle development and prevent injury from doing too much exercise, too soon. Before you start the race, make sure you have supplies for your dog like a collapsible water bowl, water, treats to keep them motivated, a longer or cross body leash, and a comfortable dog harness. If at any point on the race, or during practice, your dog is acting uncomfortable and tired, you should stop and take a break.
Winter Holiday Parties
Festive decor is fun, but can pose a threat to your pets. Be sure to keep wires, batteries, tinsel, candles, and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws’ reach. Mistletoe, holly, lilies, and poinsettias are toxic to pets if ingested. Snow globes are made with ethylene glycol, the same chemical used in antifreeze, which is highly toxic to all pets. If you are putting up a Christmas tree, make sure it is tightly secured so there is no chance it can tip over and hurt any pets nearby. Christmas tree water can contain harmful fertilizers and is a breeding ground for bacteria that could cause nausea, diarrhea or stomach upset. Many dogs enjoy sniffing out boxes of presents under the tree, but make sure they do not eat any of the wrapping to avoid an intestinal obstruction. Be sure to keep wrapped food or candy off the ground!
When prepping your holiday meal, be aware of food laying out on the table to ensure your pets don’t sneak a bite while you’re distracted. Ask guests to refrain from feeding food from the table to your pets.
Avoid letting your pet ingest the following:
New Years Eve
Keep an eye on the alcohol and other substances. New Year’s Eve is a unique holiday, and it’s one time of year when a large number of pets get into alcohol. Alcohol ingestion in pets can lead to depression, unsteady walking, vomiting, and in severe cases, a serious drop in blood pressure and body temperature. There has also been an increase in pets ingesting marijuana as it becomes legalized in more states. Marijuana in edible form, such as in chocolates or brownies, is also becoming more popular, making it easy for a curious pup to ingest. Marijuana can cause your pet to become unsteady, sleepy and sensitive to touch, and can cause a decrease in their heart rate and body temperature.
Be Wary of Fireworks
Fireworks are the leading reason Lost Pet Reports are 69% higher on New Year’s Day! Noisy celebrations, especially fireworks and people yelling, can frighten our pets and put them at risk. Ensure your pet has a safe, comfortable place to find sanctuary from the loud, booming sounds of fireworks. If you are planning a night out with family and friends and leaving your pet at home, loud and confusing noises coming from outside may be anxiety-inducing. Before you leave, double check that all exits are secured. Make sure your pet’s microchip is up to date in case your pet manages to escape. Move anything harmful like plants, foods, or medications that your pet could get into out of reach. You can close windows and curtains, put on a white noise machine, and make sure their favorite toys are accessible to make them more comfortable.
Traveling With Pets
Proper Planning is Key
Start by creating a checklist of everything your pet might need. This includes food and medications to last the entire trip, identification, first aid supplies, and comfort items like their favorite toys or blankets. If you plan to travel internationally, ensure you have all the necessary travel documents, such as health certificates and vaccination records. If you are traveling by car, plan regular stops to allow your pet to stretch their legs, relieve themselves, and get some fresh air. Exercise and a change of scenery can help reduce anxiety and restlessness. Ensure they have access to fresh water and food during the trip, but avoid overfeeding them.
Veterinarian Visit
Before setting out on your holiday adventure, schedule a visit to your veterinarian. It’s essential to ensure that your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations and is protected against parasites like fleas and ticks. If you’re traveling with your pet by air, talk with your veterinarian first. Air travel can put some pets at risk, especially short-nosed dogs. Your vet may recommend products or strategies to prevent motion sickness or anxiety.
Prioritize Safety
Above all, the safety of your pet should always be your top priority. Ensure that your pet’s collar has an ID tag with your current contact information. Make sure your pet’s microchip is registered with your current contact information, including a cell phone number, so you can be reached quickly if needed. Additionally, research emergency veterinary clinics at your destination just in case any unexpected health issues arise.
Check out our blog Holiday Travels: Pet Safety to read more tips for traveling with your pets over the holidays.
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