Here’s to Safe and Happy Holidays With Your Dog

When the weather begins to change and mounds of snow start to collect on your window sill, you know that the Christmas season is right around the corner. When stockings are hung by the chimney with care and one of them is stuffed with dog treats and pet toys, your pup knows that Christmas is coming too. Making sure that your furry friend has the jolliest holiday possible is crucial for pet parents all across the country.

Holidays with your dog need to be safe as well as jubilant. This starts with monitoring your holiday décor. To get in the Christmas spirit, you may want to deck your halls with red bows, a lit up tree, or shiny garland, but you need to be sure that these additions to your home are safe for potential contact with your dog. When it comes to Christmas trees, most pet owners opt for an artificial tree instead of a live one because in some cases, live trees can negatively affect your dog in the form of mold that can lead to allergic reactions or respiratory issues.

Tree safety is important. Besides potential allergic reactions, your dog will be curious about any foreign object that is placed in your home, and that includes your tree. It is suggested to start with a smaller tree if it’s your first holiday that you’re sharing with your canine companion. Place it on a table top or counter. If you choose to set up a full size tree, be sure that you place it in a corner or in some other area where your dog doesn’t run the risk of knocking it over or harming themselves in any way because of it. Be sure that the ornaments you place on the tree are plastic and not made of glass, which could break and harm your pet.

Another important foliage issue to consider when it comes to holidays with your dog is the use of seasonal plants or flowers, like poinsettias, holly, or kiss-inducing mistletoe. These plants need to be kept out of reach of your dog because each one could lead to toxic, dangerous problems if your dog happens to ingest any part of them. Consequences can be as mild s a rash and as severe as vomiting, respiratory problems, or heart issues.

Not too far down the list of common holiday décor items are candles. Candles come in lots of different holiday scents, from Christmas Cookie to Evergreen Forest. Beyond that, they serve many purposes for religious practices around the holidays, such as the lighting of the Menorah for Hanukkah. All open flames need to be kept as far out of reach as they can be during the holidays with your dog. You don’t want an excited tail wag to lead to a potential house fire.

Companies like ProLabs Pets can help get your dog all geared up for the holidays, especially when it comes to healthcare. Fill your pup’s stocking with supplements and prevention products from us.