Safe and Stress Free Holidays with Dogs

Baby, it’s cold outside! The 2022 Holiday Season is here. While the holidays are a wonderful time to spend with family and friends, they can also be a challenging time for your pup. Holidays with dogs can add an extra level of stress for both you and your dog. Is it true that poinsettias are poisonous to dogs? Have you thought about how your festive celebrations will affect your favorite fluffy family member? Dogs prone to anxiety and stress will find the holidays extra tricky, as their routine may change and holiday decorations may make their home smell and look different. Check out our tips below for keeping your pup safe, happy, and stress-free this holiday season.

Tips for Spending Holidays with Dogs

Dogs add joy to our daily lives, so naturally, we want them to be a part of the holiday festivities and celebrations. However, because things smell, look, and sound different during this time of year, it can create anxiety and confusion for your dog. Follow the tips below to make sure your dog is safe from any dangerous holiday decorations.

● Christmas tree needles can be painful for dogs. If your tree is real, be sure to clean up the needles regularly to avoid them getting stuck in your pet’s paws.

● Hang decorations up high. If you have a puppy at home, they’re the most guilty of playing with anything shiny and dangling. Make sure you put ornaments high enough so curious dogs can’t reach them.

● Keep your menorah out of reach. The beautiful shining lights from the eight candles on the menorah will surely pique any pup’s interest. Be sure to place it on a table or high shelf where they won’t be tempted to get a closer look.

● Fence in your tree. Tree water can be enticing for your pup. Consider installing a small fence or playpen to keep your pup away from the tree and the presents that lie beneath.

● Avoid using Tinsel as decorations. If your dog swallows this shiny decoration, it can get lodged in their intestines, causing vomiting, or even worse, causing them to need surgery for it to be removed. Avoid this shiny decoration altogether so it doesn’t ruin your pup’s holiday.

Are Poinsettias Poisonous to Dogs?

Pet owners need to take a responsible-dog-owner approach to holiday decorating. Remember, your pups are curious creatures, and they may ingest something they’re not supposed to. Many dog parents beginning to decorate may be wondering, are poinsettias poisonous to dogs? Poinsettias are mildly toxic, and if a dog does ingest the plant, it’s not usually fatal, but they will need to seek medical attention. Symptoms like skin irritation, vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea may occur. If your fur baby is experiencing any of these symptoms, take them to the vet right away. Other plants to avoid during the holiday season that are even more poisonous to dogs than Poinsettias are Holly, Mistletoe, and Azaleas.

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