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Candles - Keep lit candles away from pet areas. Not only are they a fire hazard, a dog or cat could easily be singed by the open flame. Hot wax can quickly become a disaster. Keep candles securely away from faces and paws.
Electrical Cords - Many of us decorate our homes with lights during the holiday season. Chewing on electrical cords can burn or shock your pet, causing cardiac arrest or death in some cases. You can apply unpleasant tasting substances to the cord to deter your pet from chewing on it. Some examples are: bitter apple, hot pepper sauce, menthol or lemon juice. Experiment with different substances as dogs have varying taste aversions. Make sure dog's favorite toys are available and redirect them to the toy if they have too much of an interest in the cord. Also be careful of lights on the lower branches of your Christmas tree. They can get very hot and burn your dog.
Christmas Trees - Obviously our pets don't understand what holiday trees are for and what they are doing in the house, although male dogs may thank you for bringing their potty area inside. Consider allowing your dog in the room where the tree is only when you are able to supervise. That way you can make sure the dog doesn't investigate the tree, or the gifts under the tree, too closely. Watch out for pine needles. Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet's intestines if sharp enough. Make sure your tree is well secured. If you have a tree climbing cat or a dog with a wagging tail, try securing the top of the tree to the wall. Preservatives sometimes used in the water of a tree stand can cause gastric upsets, so be sure it is inaccessible to your pet or not used. Avoid adding aspirin or sugar to the water as well.
Ornaments - Sharp or breakable ornaments should be kept out of reach. String objects, particularly tinsel and ribbons, are to be safeguarded at all times. They are thin and sharp and can wrap around the intestines or ball up in your dog's stomach.
Plants - We often use plants to decorate our homes during the holiday season as well. Beware that some of the most common plants we use are toxic to our dogs. Mistletoe and poinsettias are toxic to dogs. Ivy can cause breathing and stomach illness. Dried arrangements may have seed pods of tropical plants that may be highly toxic. Tobacco is also toxic to dogs, so you might want to ask smokers to be careful about where they leave their smoking items.
Pet Gifts - We often give our pets gifts as we would other friends and family members. Be careful of plastic or vinyl toys that can easily be chewed or toys with squeakers. The hard pieces can be dangerous if swallowed. Rawhide treats could also create a similar problem. Choking can occur, or digestive problems may result, if a large piece of rawhide is swallowed. Give extra care to what goes into your dog's mouth during the hectic holiday season. Supervise your dog while he or she plays with any new toy to ensure it is safe for your particular pet.
Part of what makes the holidays so stressful is that our normal routines are interrupted. Try to set aside some time to spend with your dog every day. If you walk every day, try to work that into your busy schedule. If you have been training with your dog, try to work a 5 or 10 minute session into the day. Remember, a tired dog is a good dog. Take your dog to the park and let him or her run and play. It will be a nice break for both of you. If you are going to have a holiday party, consider having the dog stay at a kennel for a day or two while you prepare for and have your party. It might be less stressful and safer for you and your pet.
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