Christmas Decorations and Your Dog

Dangerous Christmas Decorations

As the holiday nears and we start celebrating by putting up our traditional decorations, we must think of our pets (not only dogs) and hazards that could save your pets life and also save a costly trip to the vet.

Tinsel & Ribbons

This is very dangerous for your pets and very appealing to them as well. Tinsel and ribbons can cause serious intestinal damage as one end can get stuck while the other end is pulled into the intestine as it contracts, the contractions can cause it to saw through the intestine. If not caught in a timely manner it can cause infection of the tummy cavity which can lead to death.

Fake Christmas Tree

The wire branches on artificial trees can be chewed off and swallowed for a aggressive chewer. Ingesting flexible wire could lead to severe and catastrophic results by tearing the oesophagus, choking, ripping the stomach and many more problems.

Glass Ornaments

All ornaments can be dangerous to pets but glass ones can be the most dangerous, not only for ingesting but breaking. Dogs tails and kitty paws can knock ornaments off the branch and if you have hard floors that glass ornament will break and can be eaten or stepped on, especially if it's at night or while you're at work and not able to clean up right away. Stick with home-made salt dough, hard large plastic or sturdy ornaments that can't be accidently shaken or knocked off.

Lights

Lights are VERY dangerous mainly for chewers and PUPPIES! Avoid lights on the tree or raise your tree up so the puppy cannot reach any strand of light, if the pup was to chew on the strand of lights while plugged in it would electrocute him or her. 

Stockings Held By Weights

Many people are hanging their family and pets stockings on weights placed on-top of the mantle. This can be dangerous for your pet if they were to decide that a hanging stocking looked like a fun toy, pulled on it and had that weight land on them.

Fake Snow

This means that cotton fluff used to decorate mantles and other surfaces as well as the spray snow for the windows. The fluff can be ingested that could cause a blockage in the intestine and the spray snow has so many chemicals in it that can cause your pet to become very ill from licking at it.

Tips to help have a safe Christmas:

* Used bitter apple spray or even essential oils such as (eucalyptus or peppermint) to deter your animals from the Christmas tree or other items you're not sure if they will take a liking to or not.

*Train your dog to be around the tree and reward for walking away from it. Clicking and rewarding.

*Don't leave any chocolate or cooked turkey out on counters, chocolate can poison your animals and ingesting cooked turkey bones can cause your animal to choke or cause the intestine to rip or block.

Remember to enjoy this time of year with your pet and family, don't lock the over excited dog up just to make it easier :) Train.

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