Safety For Dogs At Christmas

[ginger899]

With Christmas nearly here it's a good thing to think ahead, and think "Dog".
Dogs are great scroungers, thieves, counter-surfers, etc, So be one step ahead of them!
DON'T let them eat what they like. Some Christmas treats are very dangerously toxic for dogs, such as:
*Christmas cake.
*Mince pies,
*Turkey skin.
*Chocolate treats.
*Onions -or anything which has been cooked with onions, including stuffing.
*Alcohol, or anything containing alcohol.
*Turkey or chicken bones. These, especially if cooked can cause really serious blockages and internal damage (and expensive) veterinary emergencies. To be on the safe side don't even give dogs raw chicken or turkey bones. Even raw turkey necks or chicken necks can often cause horrible blockages.

Things like cream, brandy butter, and more or less anything else you can think of which humans think are tasty treats, are dangerous for dogs. At the least they can cause Acute Pancreatitis. And no one wants to have to dash to the emergency vet on Christmas Day!

If a little 'human food' really has to happen, then something like this is fine:

Small amount of lean turkey meat (no skin, as that is too fatty for most dogs, and has been known to cause attacks of Pancreatitis), plus plain cooked potato or sweet potato, plus a few greens, plus some plain gravy (no onion.) That's an OK Christmas dinner. No more.

Glass baubles or anything else hung on a tree. Make sure the dog can't get at them. Playful puppies are obviously more at risk. DON'T hang chocolates on the tree!

Beware of electric cables and wires, to Christmas lights etc.

If anyone thinks of any more Christmas hazards, please do add......

Oh.....PS....during parties, festivities, don't forget doggy needs a decent walk, whether you are sober or not! LOL

PPS....If you have a dog who is a household-wrecking-machine....do you really want to put everyone's presents under the tree?

[Margot49]

Bumping

[Margot49]

LOL!  It does sound ominous.  Well, many of us have been there/dine that and some the hard way.  I stopped putting tinsel on the tree years ago.  Can't hardly remember a Christmas without the X-pen spread across the living room door to keep the dogs out. Thought I would have a Christmas without it up this year but my kids are coming home with 4 more dogs.  Maybe I will jyst hang some garland or a red bow on the X-pen.  

[ginger899]

((BUMP!))

And thank you for those extra thoughts Margot!

It seems more like preparing for WW3 than Christmas! LOL!

[Margot49]

Great advice!!  Many dogs end up at the Vet ER's during the Holidays.

If you are expecting a houseful of guests, it is probabky be  a good idea to crate your dog or put it an area away from your guests, especially if there are children around.  It would be a good idea to stress with family and friends to not feed your animals.  

Since people will most likely be coming and going, make sure your dog won't have an opportunity to slip out the door.

Remember that Poinsettias are poisonous so don't put them where your dog could have access to them.  

Just things to think about "before" your Holiday get togethers.