Dog lovers are aware that specific safety measures must be taken to protect their dogs from the many possible dangers that can arise during the Christmas season. That doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy Christmas with your pups. Even for the little strokes, the holidays are a magical time of year. Nothing beats batting a tinsel ball or chewing up a misplaced wooden spinning top for them. The best way to keep your pets away from the decorations is to keep them out of their reach. String tinsel, lights, broken ornaments, potpourri, chocolate or sugar-free candy, batteries from gifts and electronic décor are all common holiday hazards.
To have a wonderful, safe holiday season, dog lovers must understand what decorations to avoid and what to purchase instead, how to properly secure your holiday trimmings, and when to contact your local vet if the worst should happen. Keeping this in mind, here are six holiday decoration ideas that every dog lover can enjoy without endangering your pets:
Bring home the Fake Christmas Star
The red-flame leaf plants are stunning, but they are quite hazardous to your small animals. You can choose the fake poinsettias (Christmas star) if you want to purchase them and use them as decoration props. Numerous high-quality plant decorations exist that are almost as pretty as the actual thing! Keep in mind to stay away from actual holly and mistletoe as well. If you have a real tree, make sure to regularly wipe the pine needles off it because they can irritate your pet’s stomach.
Layer Ornaments Strategically
Put dainty ornaments near the top of the tree rather than the bottom. This protects not only the breakage of your lovely ornaments but also the injury or cutting of your pet by the broken ornament. Soft toys can also be placed on the bottom so that pets can pick them up and play safely.
Use Streamers Carefully
It makes sense that your pets would be drawn to the bright and sparkling decorations like streamers or tinsels. Although it is attractive, dog lovers should only put it somewhere your animals won’t go or where they can’t access it. Tinsel can get stuck in their throats, so it’s certainly not a smart idea to consume a lot of it!
Don’t Keep Your Gifts Unattended
Think twice before placing any wrapped presents your pets shouldn’t access if you’re leaving them out for the season. Dogs can detect delicious foods like truffles or cheese, and if a gift feels like a soft toy, they may love pulling it apart. Keep some of the dangerous gifts apart just to be safe.
Food and Drinks Keep at a Distance
Your home’s decor may reflect the fact that holidays are a time for feasts and pleasures. Watch out for edible ornaments that taste just as good to animals as they do to humans, such as candy canes and popcorn garlands. If left within the grasp of cunning counter surfers, holiday baking could go in a matter of seconds. Remember that little bones can crack and harm your dogs both internally and externally. Always keep an eye on your mischievous babies.
Final Tip
Our four-legged friends bring us joy year-round, and with just a few minor adjustments to our usual holiday routines, we can keep them safe and excited during the festive winter season. We wish you and your loved ones a pleasant holiday season. Everyone will have a good time if you keep your furry buddies safe!
