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 Home :: Dog Articles and Information :: How to Pet Proof Your Home for the Holidays
Holiday Safety Tips for Your Dog
Dangerous Foods
Chocolate, coffee, and tea all contain components called xanthines that are dangerous to animals. Chocolate is especially a problem because pets love its flavor. Unsweetened baking chocolate and dark chocolate are the worst culprits, but all chocolate, fudge and other candy should be placed out of your pet's reach.
Alcohol can cause serious intoxications in pets, and many pets are attracted to the sweet taste of drinks, especially eggnog. Be sure not to leave glasses somewhere dog can reach and to clean up and rinse all glasses after Christmas parties.
Christmas Trees
To prevent your dog from drinking water from the Christmas tree base, cover your tree stand with a tree skirt. This liquid can cause diarrhea, mouth sores, vomiting and loss of appetite.
Have pet treats on hand to distract your pet away from the tree and holiday toys. The pine needles can easily get lodged in the animal's throat, making it difficult or impossible to swallow.
Remove strings and ribbons from gifts that are left under the tree. These items may seem like toys to an animal, but can easily choke him or her. Also, keep wrapping paper out of reach since many pets are tempted to chew on it
Glass ornaments - Those shiny ornaments catch your pet's eye like they do children. Keep them high above their reach. Hang plastic or non-breakable ornaments on bottom half of tree. Keep a close eye on Fluffy or Fido - they are sneakier than Santa's elves and faster. Remember not to use chocolate ornaments if there's a chance that your pet could pull them off.
Christmas tree lights and electrical cords can be fatal if chewed on by a dog. Whenever possible, keep electrical cords out of reach. Tape the electrical cords of your Christmas tree lights to the wall so your pet won't chew them.
Realize that lit candles may capture the attention of your dog or cat. To avoid any accidents, leave your pets in the other room if you plan to light candles.
When ingested by a dog, tinsel may cause obstruction of the intestines, and the tinsel's sharp edges can even cut the intestines. Symptoms may include: decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, listlessless and weight loss. Treatment usually requires surgery.
More Information:
PETCO
American Dog Trainers Network
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