"The holiday season introduces our pets to a great deal of chaos, at least from their perspective," said Liam Crowe, master dog therapist and COO of Bark Busters USA. "Unfortunately for dogs, the festivities of the season introduce a host of new stimuli -- sights, sounds, and smells -- that can disrupt their routines and present potentially dangerous circumstances. However, following a few tips can make the holiday season a bright one for everyone -- including the family dog."
1. A tired dog is a good dog. Before guests arrive for holiday festivities, walk your dog or play fetch to help your pup relieve excess energy. A one or two mile walk or 30 minutes of playing fetch will generally result in your dog taking a nap, just as guests arrive.
2. Prevent holiday decoration disasters. When decorating your Christmas tree, consider anchoring it to the ceiling or wall to prevent the tree from tipping. It is also wise to hang non-breakable ornaments near the bottom of the tree. This will help prevent potential disaster from an inquisitive canine or an over-active tail-wagger, which can wipe out an entire limb of precious ornaments.
3. Tinsel Town can land your pup in the emergency room. Tinsel is new and exciting to dogs. Unfortunately, if they eat the tinsel, it can twist in their intestines and cause serious problems. It is best to use it sparingly -- or not at all.
4. Evergreens are not always for everyone, especially a curious canine. Christmas trees are wonderful traditions, but they can lead to several problems for nosy pups. Don't let your dog drink the water from the base of the Christmas tree since this water often contains chemicals to help the tree last longer and can cause severe indigestion. Even sap and pine needles can cause health problems. Plan to regularly sweep fallen needles to avoid a trip to the emergency animal clinic. If ingested, they can puncture holes in your pet's intestine.
5. Holiday sweets are not dog treats. Chocolates, cookies, cakes and peppermints are only a few of the sweets we treat ourselves to during the holidays. Unfortunately, these "treats," especially chocolate, can hurt your dog and may trigger life-threatening illnesses.
6. Make no bones about it -- cooked turkey and chicken bones are not for dogs. These types of bones are thin and can break easily, causing choking or bone shards to get stuck in your dog's gums. It is best to stick with compressed rawhides or other bones specifically designed for dogs to chew.
7. Mistletoe is for kissing -- not eating! Keep your pets away from mistletoe as well as amaryllis, which are both toxic if ingested by your dog. Rumor has it that poinsettias are also poisonous, but they are not life threatening to dogs. However, these plants are dangerous if ingested by your cat.
