Keeping Your Dog Safe During the Festive Season

As we prepare to celebrate the holiday season, it's important to remember how much of a change this time of year can be for our dogs - especially if you enjoy decorating your home, both inside and out.
The tips below are a great reminder of how to keep your furry friend safe and happy before Santa’s arrival!

Toxic Foods to Watch Out For 🍫🍬🍇
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While some foods are available year-round, the holiday season often brings an increase in baking, cooking, and gift preparation and creates more opportunities for your dog to accidentally consume something harmful.

Common Christmas foods that are toxic to dogs include:

• Chocolate
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Onions
• Alcohol (even when cooked into food)
• Xylitol (a sweetener found in many lollies and sugar-free products)
  
  

❗Important:❗ If your dog consumes any of the above, take them to a vet immediately. Urgent treatment increases the chances of a full recovery.

Presents Under the Christmas Tree 🎁🎄

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, which can lead them straight to food-based gifts under the tree. Even if wrapped tightly, your dog can still sniff them out. This can lead to them not only ingestion toxic foods and destroying someone's gift but also risks them digesting wrapping and packing material which can cause blockages. 
Consider placing food gifts out of reach of your dogs and away from the Christmas tree to avoid upset all round. 

Real Christmas Trees and Pets 🌲🐶

The beautiful smell of a real Christmas Tree is one of the special aspects of Christmas, but they also present hazards for  our pets.

Two key dangers for dogs include:

1. Tree needles: If ingested, these can cause gastrointestinal irritation, internal punctures, or blockages.
2. Tree water: The water in the tree stand may contain pesticides, fertilizers, and natural sap, all of which are toxic to pets. Make sure the base of the tree is covered or blocked off so your dog cannot access it.

Christmas Decorations and Lights 🎀🎇​

​Decorating your home is one of the joys of the festive season, but many decorations can be dangerous for pets.

Watch out for:

• Shiny ornaments that dogs may chew or swallow, causing mouth injuries or digestive issues
• Loose tinsel, ribbons, or string lights that can pose a choking hazard or lead to blockages if ingested
• Electrical cords, which may be tempting to chew and can cause electric shock or even death
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Always place decorations and cords well out of reach, and supervise your dog when new items are introduced into the home.

Festive Plants That Are Toxic to Dogs 🌿🌺

Many beautiful holiday plants are toxic to dogs.
Two common examples include:

• Holly
• Poinsettia
  
  

If you choose to decorate with real plants, make sure they are placed out of reach and are not accessible to curious paws.

The holiday season should be a time of joy for the whole family and this  includes our pets. By taking a few simple precautions, you can ensure your home is both festive and safe for your dog.
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Looking for more tips on pet safety during the holidays? Stay tuned to our blog for more seasonal advice, or speak to your vet about how best to prepare your home.

If you believe your dog has ingested anything toxic or anything mentioned in our blog above, you should always seek the advise of your vet as soon as possible!