Christmas is the time to have fun, indulge and celebrate festivities with family and friends - as part of the family, our dogs will of course be enjoying the action too! Despite the enjoyment of festive celebrations, from lavish food displays to stunning decorations, Christmas poses a world of hidden dangers when it comes to our dogs. To ensure your dog remains safe this Christmas, New Pet Parent are on hand to advise you of the dangers and how to keep your dog safe at Christmas.
Harmful Foods and Beverages
Christmas time means there are an abundance of exciting and tasty treats throughout the home. Although you want to spread the cheer your favourite festive snacks bring, it is vital that you recognise the foods that are poisonous to dogs in order to keep them safe.
The following foods are HARMFUL and should NOT be give to your dog:
Alcohol
Chocolate
Christmas Puddings and Mince Pies
Grapes
Dried Vine Fruits (raisins, currants, sultanas)
Macadamia nuts
Any Fatty Foods
Onions
Garlic
Leeks
Bones, from your meat of choice
Xilitol (sweetener)
The following foods are OKAY to feed to your dog (in moderation);
Turkey Meat, with no skin or bones (only a small quantity to avoid digestive upsets)
Lamb Meat, with no bones (only a small quantity to avoid digestive upsets)
Salmon (fillets or cooked in spring water, as opposed to smoked)
Green Beans
Parsnips
Carrots
Brussel Sprouts
Peas
Mash Potato, without additional butter.
New Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
* Although considerably more healthy to be consumed by your dog, you should remain careful not to overfeed your pet the following foods, as too much of an unfamiliar food can still cause your pet to have an upset stomach and feel unwell.
Festive Celebrations with Family and Friends
Upon inviting guests into your home for Christmas celebrations, be sure to make them aware of your dog and introduce them. Your pet may become overwhelmed with an abundance of unusual scents and faces. Upon your guests arrival, put your dog into a different room. Once your dog and party guests are settled, allow your pet to go out and meet them.
More so, dog owners should advise their guests that overindulgence in unfamiliar Christmas foods can make their dog considerably unwell. For this reason, they should refrain from feeding your dog at all. If they simply must spoil your dog, advise them of the above foods safe to give.
Additional Precautions
Decorative Greenery: From Holly and Mistletoe to Christmas trees themselves, the decorative trees, plants and berries we display throughout our homes can harm our pets. Whilst these decorations vary in toxicity to dogs; each can cause internal damage.
Silica Gel: Silica Gel is present in the packaging of gifts we intend to put under the tree. Upon wrapping, these sachets can be misplaced, later found by your pet - something that can be harmful if ingested.
Candles: Candles are considered to be of mild toxicity if ingested by pets, although their potential as a fire hazard remains. At all times, candles should be placed out of reach of pets and away from areas they have the potential to fall from.
Christmas Crackers: Similar to fireworks, the loud bang of pulling Christmas Crackers can cause distress to dogs. Before sitting down for your Christmas dinner, it is best to put your furry friend in the next room.
Tree Decorations: Be careful of hanging edible decorations from your tree. If this is a tradition that cannot be compromised, be sure only to allow your dog around the tree if supervised - this will prevent them from ingesting chocolate, a food that is toxic to them.
New Pet Parent wishes you and your four-legged friends a very Merry Christmas! Taking the above safety precautions ensures you are doing your best to keep your pet safe and happy. To get them in on the festivities of the season, we are proud to stock an extensive range of products perfect and safe to give to your dog.
For more information on keeping your furry friend safe and having an exciting Christmas, take a look at the other blog from New Pet Parent: How To Responsibly Buy Christmas Presents For Dogs - https://www.newpetparent.com/forum/educational-blogs/how-to-responsibly-buy-christmas-presents-for-dogs
