The holidays are upon us! It’s the time of year to enjoy cozy evenings while the snow falls, host celebrations with our loved ones, and engage in wintery activities outside.
This is a fantastic time for us pet owners to spend quality time with the family, including our dogs. With that said, the holiday season can sometimes present unique challenges to dog owners. You’ll need to make some special considerations to ensure your pup stays healthy and happy during the festivities.
In part 1 of this ultimate holiday care guide, we cover 11 of these considerations for dog owners below to ensure everyone, including their furry friend, has an enjoyable season.
1. Create a Safe, Quiet Spot for Your Dog
The holidays are full of delightful yet unusual changes to our routines. For some dogs, this can become overstimulating fast, leading to excess stress and several of the behavioural challenges it can bring. Whether it’s party guests ringing the doorbell, carollers singing on your porch, or simply the new, exciting decorations all over the house, our most beloved holiday traditions can actually be overwhelming for your dog.
For this reason, we suggest setting up a safe, quiet place where your dog can retreat to when they need some alone time. Make sure this space is complete with their crate, their favourite blanket, preferred treats, toys, and their food and water dishes. Make this spot available at all times so your dog can opt out of the holiday cheer when and if they need to.
2. Stick to Your Dog’s Routines Wherever Possible
The holidays are known as a time of strictly following routines; that’s what New Year’s resolutions are for. However, it’s important you stay consistent when it comes to your dog’s daily habits. This is especially true in regards to their exercise. We know it’s tough to take your pup on their usual daily walks when it’s cold and snowy outside, but it’s well worth it.
Dogs thrive on predictable routines, and changes to their exercise levels can cause stress and anxiety, especially when combined with other holiday stressors. Making sure your dog gets enough exercise will also help them stay more relaxed throughout the season, and of course, it helps to keep your furry friend in good health.
3. Choose Seasonal Plants Carefully
Many people adorn their homes with festive plants during the holidays, but dog owners need to know which plants and flowers pose a hazard to their pet’s health. There are a few common holiday plants which are toxic to dogs and should be kept well out of their reach (or out of the home entirely). These include:
- Amaryllis – A common winter bulb plant, which can cause intestinal obstruction if eaten by dogs, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, depression, abdominal pain, tremors, anorexia, or hypersalivation if chewed on.
- Yew – Often found in holiday wreaths, yew is toxic to dogs. If eaten, symptoms might include tremors, breathing issues, vomiting, and seizures. This is an extremely hazardous plant for dog owners to be aware of.
- Holly – Another common decorative plant for the holidays, holly can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or even depression if your dog chews on the leaves.
- Mistletoe – One of the most iconic plants of the holidays, mistletoe has similar risks to holly if your dog manages to chew on the leaves. Keep it well out of reach.
- Christmas Trees – If you have a real tree in your home, be aware that the water can harbor mould, bacteria, and pesticides, which can be harmful if your dog mistakes it for their water dish. Plus, tree needles can cause digestive upset in dogs if eaten.
- Poinsettia – Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are only mildly toxic as opposed to highly hazardous. However, they can still cause irritation, nausea, or vomiting if your dog eats any part of this flower. It’s better to err on the side of caution and keep these out of your dog’s reach.
4. Decorate with Your Dog in Mind
Make sure your holiday decorations are pet-proof! Ribbons, edible decorations such as candy canes, and garlands can present a choking hazard if your dog eats or chews them, while the enticing bulbs of your string lights can pose the risk of burns or electrical shock to a curious pup. Make sure decorations are well out of reach.
5. Board Your Pup Responsibly
If you’re going on vacation without your dog over the holidays, make sure you understand the top do’s and don’ts for pet care while you’re away. We recommend leaving your dog with someone you trust to help them stay relaxed while you’re gone—either a friend or family member that your dog knows, a reputable pet sitter, or a trustworthy boarding facility or kennel.
6. Brush Up on Pet Travel Tips
Going on a vacation with your dog? Make sure your dog is comfortable being in their crate, as it’s the safest place for them during car or air travel. Come supplied with toys, games, treats, and other activities to keep your dog’s boredom at bay, and make sure to bring the comforts of home, like their favourite blanket. A little preparation goes a long way when travelling with your pet—just don’t forget some paper towels!
7. Don’t Give In to Tableside Begging
If you’re having lavish holiday meals this month, make sure your guests know that their table scraps are not dog treats! With so many mouthwatering delicacies on the table, it’s no surprise that our dogs are trying to get in on the fun—but most human food is unhealthy and even hazardous for dogs. Plus, giving in to begging simply rewards and encourages bad behaviour from your pup. To compromise, you could consider picking up some extra special treats as a gift, and giving them to your dog as a reward for their good tableside manners.
8. Bundle Your Dog Up
If your dog is sensitive to the cold and they’re reluctant about walks or doing their business outside, consider looking into some cold weather gear to make them more comfortable. Sweaters, jackets, and booties are all great ways to keep your pet warm when the outdoors is a winter wonderland.
9. Talk to Kids About Treating Your Dog with Care
If you’ll be introducing any unfamiliar kids to your dog this holiday season, it’s vital that you talk to them about how to treat your dog first. Most kids are understanding, but it’s possible that some may not know how to interact with a dog kindly and respectfully. Make sure kids know not to rough-house with your dog, pull their ears or tail, and so on, before making the introductions. We suggest supervising all interactions between kids and your dogs to help ensure everyone’s safety and comfort.
10. Practice Obedience Skills Before Hosting
Planning on having a holiday party this year? Now is a great time to give your dog a refresher on their obedience skills. Practice the basics like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, or ‘go to your crate’ to make sure your dog will do what you want during the chaos of the holidays. We suggest making this easier by picking up some high-value treats as a reward for good behaviour.
11. Keep a Trusted Vet on Call
If you follow these tips, you’ll more than likely have a safe, fun holiday season alongside your dog. In the event that there is a concern, you need the peace of mind that a trusted vet is just a call away. A veterinarian is there to support you in emergencies, answer routine questions about caring for your dog, and provide other guidance to help you make the holidays enjoyable for your furry friend.
That’s it for part 1 of the ultimate holiday care guide! Stay tuned for part 2, where we’ll go through a different list of tips specifically for cat owners. Until then, happy holidays!
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