Canine Christmas 911

With Christmas come potential hazards to your pets, guests, and home. As you prepare for your holiday celebrations, be mindful of these common dangers.

1. Allergic Reactions

This applies to both dogs and guests. Red is a festive color, but not desirable when it comes to hives, sneezy noses, or watery eyes. Let guests know if dogs will be present for any gatherings to avoid an awkward situation.

Likewise, politely ask guests to not give your dog anything without your permission. The last thing you want is a holiday trip to the vet for food poisoning or allergic reactions to treats your guests didn’t know were dangerous for your pet. If your dog has airborne allergies to things like perfume, it’s a good idea to ask guest to refrain from spritzing too.

2. Toxic Treats

Not sure what holiday foods are safe or unsafe for your furry friends? Check out our article on common Christmas foods here.

3. Scents

While creating the perfect atmosphere for your holiday, beware of scented products like candles, diffusers, sprays, incense, perfumes, potpourri, and essential oils as they can be toxic and allergy-inducing for dogs. Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, gasping, sneezing, hyperventilating, disorientation and dizziness, watering eyes, and vomiting. Flat-nosed dogs and those with respiratory issues like asthma are especially at risk. The following common holiday scents should especially be avoided: pine, citrus, birch, camphor, cinnamon, clove, juniper, pennyroyal, thyme, tea tree oil, and wintergreen.

4. Heat Sources

Be mindful of burning hazards such as candles, wax warmers, and fireplaces. Always keep them well out of reach of your pets and flammable objects like decorations, wrapping paper, etc. Electric candles are a much safer alternative for achieving the desired ambiance without the riskiness of open flames.

5. Festive Foliage

Plants like mistletoe can lead to more mischief than an unexpected smooch. Mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias – emblems of the holiday season – are all highly toxic for dogs. Considering playing it safe by using fake plants instead of fresh, then you can reuse them year to year!

6. Christmas Trees

Make sure your tree is well anchored so curious or excited pups don’t knock it over and create even more hazards on the way down (broken ornaments, splinters, etc.). Also be strategic about where tree decorations are placed. Tinsel and garlands that shed pose choking hazards, as do small baubles and hangers.

7. Bits and Baubles

Between wrapping and unwrapping gifts, decorating, cooking and serving food, and guests come in and out, lots of little things get left in dogs’ paths. Beware of things they could swallow falling to the floor or getting left out after opening gifts. Plastic packaging makes for an enticing chew toy! Small batteries, babies’ pacifiers, ribbons, toys, jewelry, and cutlery are all things vets have had to surgically remove. Be extra vigilant when it comes to your dog’s space try to keep the area as clear as possible.

8. Travelling

Making the trek with your dog to visit loved ones poses unique challenges. Take a look at out article on making your journey as safe and comfortable as possible here.

9. Other Pets

Christmas might not be the ideal time to try bringing dogs together who don’t know each other well or that you know don’t get along. There’s always a risk that they won’t be compatible and will need to be kept separate. This can add much unnecessary stress for everyone involved. When in doubt, consider hiring a sitter so both you, your friends and family, and four-legged buddies can all enjoy the season worry-free!