5 Holiday Pet Safety Tips
Homemade Puppies, LLC strives to be your trusted source for not only connecting with your new fur-baby, but also answering the dog related questions you may have to enhance your experience with your dog/puppy. Each week our in house dog expert, Katie, answers your puppy and dog questions. Submit your canine questions to info@homemadepuppies.com.
As always puppies advertised on Homemade Puppies are always 100% raised in-home by responsible family breeders...never raised outside or in a barn, etc. No Puppy Mills, ever. We promise. www.homemadepuppies.com
Here is this week's blog from Katie!
The Holidays are among us and while we are decking the halls and gathering with friends and family, there are some important things to remember at this time of year for our pets.
1. If traveling is in your plans, make sure to make arrangements well in advance for your pets. Boarding kennels and professional pet sitters can book up fast around the holidays. Often certain vaccinations are required if your dog will be staying in a kennel. If your dog is traveling with you be sure you have all the information needed for a flight or a hotel stay. Do not leave your dog in the car in cold weather for extended periods of time. Having identification on your dog, such as a microchip or collar tag is important in case your dog would happen to get loose and run away.
2. Holidays are often a busy time with guests coming into your home. Be sure to provide a quiet, safe place for your dog to relax away from all the hustle and bustle. A house full of guests could be scary and confusing to a dog. Guests coming and going could easily allow a dog to slip out an open door. Children could become too rough in their play with the dog. Well meaning guests could give the dog something that they shouldn't have to eat. Trash or forgotten food or beverages could be hazardous to your dog. To reduce stress to your dog, try to keep to their routine if possible. Maintain their exercise regimen and keep meal times on schedule.
3. Maintain safety when decorating. Pointsettia plants, Holly, Lilies and Mistletoe can all make your dog sick if ingested. Pine needles can cause digestive upset or blockages. Ribbons and tinsel, if eaten, can get caught in a dog's intestines. Glass balls on a tree can shatter or ornaments could be ingested. Light cords can be chewed. Candles or fragrant oils can be hazardous also. Make sure your dog is not alone in a room with a lit candle as it can get knocked over and start a fire. Oils can be toxic if ingested. Water additives for Christmas trees can be harmful if a pet drinks it.
4. Table scraps are not dog snacks. Many holiday foods are bad for dogs. Chocolate can be toxic as well as onions, raisins/grapes, macadamia nuts and many sugarless products ( containing xylitol). Fatty bits of meat can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Bones can splinter or become lodged in your dog's digestive tract. Mesh wrapping or leg holders can smell like food to your dog but can cause bowel obstruction. Alcohol can be toxic and lead to kidney failure. Avoid putting gifts of food under the tree, an inquisitive dog could find it.
5. Sidewalk salt and antifreeze are two products that are used in the winter that can be toxic to dogs. Wash your dogs paws if they walk through sidewalk salt. There are some pet safe options of sidewalk salt available on the market that you can use at your home. Antifreeze has a sweet taste to dogs. Keep containers up out of reach of your dog and clean up any leaks that might occur.
With some planning ahead and awareness of holiday hazards the Holidays can be a safe and joyous time of year for you and your dog.
❤ Katie Watterson
Do you have a question for Katie? Submit your question(s) to info@homemadepuppies.com.
Looking for a puppy? We have a large variety of puppies from pure-bred to mixed breed and large to small. Check out the in-home raised puppies we offer at www.homemadepuppies.com. The puppy's information such as location, description, price, breeder's contact information will be listed on the puppy's page. As always puppies advertised on Homemade Puppies are always 100% raised in-home...never a kennel or barn, etc. No Puppy Mills, ever. We promise.
Do you have a litter of in-home raised puppies that you would like to advertise on www.homemadepuppies.com? Email info@homemadepuppies.com for more information on how to get started!
Thank you!
Don't forget to catch Katie's blog from last week: https://www.homemadepuppies.com/10-sports-you-can-do-with-your-dog
*As always Katie's advice is on this blog are only meant to be used as tips and should never replace your veterinarian's advice. Always consult your veterinarian regarding your dog's health.
