12/1/2024
Holiday Safety For Your Dog!
The holidays are a busy, wonderful time of year but can be risky for your dog. Here are four important tips to ensure your dog stays safe and stress-free during the holiday season: Most veterinary clinics are closed during the holidays and last thing anyone wants to to do is take a trip to to emergency vet which can very costly and time consuming.
1. Keep Toxic Foods Out of Reach
Many holiday foods can be harmful—or even deadly—to dogs, so it's crucial to keep them out of their reach:
Chocolate (especially dark chocolate) contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs.
Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure.
Onions and garlic can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia.
Alcohol should never be given to dogs; even small amounts can cause poisoning.
Xylitol, a common sweetener in many sugar-free products, is extremely toxic to dogs.
Make sure leftovers are put away immediately, and remind guests not to feed your dog scraps. Pancreatitis is commonly seen during the holidays at veterinary clinics because someone fed the dog something it shouldn’t have. Don’t let this be you!
2. Secure Holiday Decorations
Dogs are naturally curious, and holiday decorations—like ornaments, tinsel, lights, and candles—can pose serious hazards:
Christmas tree ornaments (especially glass) can break easily and cause cuts or choking hazards if swallowed. If you can, place the tree on a table or block it off with an ex-pen for safety, especially if you have a puppy in the house.
Tinsel and ribbons can be tempting for dogs to chew, but if ingested, they can lead to digestive blockages or internal injury. Symptoms for these issues might not appear for days, but are a definite emergency when presented.
Candles should be placed in areas where dogs can’t knock them over. Open flames can cause burns or start fires, and dogs are often attracted to flickering lights.
Keep electrical cords from lights or decorations out of reach to prevent chewing, which could cause electric shocks. Cover them with tape if they are on the floor.
3. Provide a Quiet Space
The holidays can be loud and overwhelming, with lots of visitors, new smells, and even fireworks in some areas. Dogs can become stressed by all the excitement. To prevent anxiety or overstimulation:
Create a quiet retreat where your dog can relax away from the hustle and bustle. This is where your dog’s crate is his best friend. Put the crate in a quiet room with blankets and toys and allow the dog to be in there as much as they want. If you don’t have a crate, then a quiet room with a favorite bed and blankets/toys may help. Let the dog be in the room as much as it likes, for it will be his sanctuary against stress and noise.
If your dog is not used to a lot of visitors, encourage guests to give them space and not force interactions. This reduces stress and potential fear-based reactions. An ER visit for anyone because of a dog bite can be devastating for everyone involved.
4. Watch Out for Holiday Hazards Outdoors
If you're celebrating outside with your dog, there are additional safety considerations:
Cold weather can be tough on dogs, especially those with short coats. Make sure they’re warm enough by using dog sweaters or coats. You may also get footwear for them if you are going to be outside for long periods of time.
Avoid letting your dog play near icy or snow-covered areas, as slipping can cause injuries. Use a pet safe ice melting product on your porches and walkways so not to cause harm to your dog if it licks its feet after being outside.
If your dog is afraid of loud noises, leave them at home if you are attending an event where there will be fireworks. No one wants to be looking for their dog on the holidays if they get scared and run off. If your dog is extremely anxious around noise, you can speak to your vet pre holiday about medications to reduce their anxiety.
If you do run into a problem during the holidays and your vet isn’t open the two options that are closest to the Yakima Area are:
Mid Columbia Pet Emergency Services
8913 Sandifur Pkwy, Pasco, WA 99301
Hours of operation: Open 24 hours. It is advisable to call first because sometimes they become so busy they have to stop adding in clients. They are the only 24 hour pet emergency in this area so they get clients from Yakima, Tri-cities, Moses Lake and Walla Walla as well as those outer areas.
Horse Heaven Hills Pet Urgent Care
3315 W Clearwater Ave Suite 100, Kennewick, WA 99336
Hours of Operation Every day from 8am to 7pm. A phone call is necessary because they start with their waiting list at 8am when they open. If it’s later in the day they may already be full and unable to take any more appointments.
I hope this helps you and your pet have a safe and happy holiday season!