While the holidays can be a lot of fun for humans, your furry companion may not have such a good time if they get into something they shouldn’t. Unfortunately, many holiday treats and decorations can be harmful to dogs and result in an emergency trip to the veterinarian. Learn which ones are the most dangerous to make sure your holiday celebrations go off without a hitch.

Dog Safety Tips for the Holidays

1. Be Careful With Holiday Plants

Many varieties of decorative holiday plants, including poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe, can be poisonous to dogs when ingested. Each contains toxins that cause gastrointestinal distress, a slowed heartbeat, vomiting, and excessive drooling. To ensure safety, eliminate these plants from your decor altogether and make sure to notify your veterinarian if you see your dog eat anything they shouldn’t.

2. Watch What They Eat

Between Christmas cookies and candies, there’s typically plenty of chocolate to go around during the holidays. Keep these treats out of reach of your dog at all times to avoid a trip to the veterinarian, taking special care with those wrapped as gifts under the tree or left out for Santa. Dark chocolate is particularly toxic for dogs due to its higher cacao content. Don’t let your pup have cooked bones under any circumstances, as they can cause bowel blockages or perforations.

Other common holiday foods that can be harmful to dogs include walnuts and macadamia nuts. Though peanuts, almonds, and cashews are okay for them to nibble on, their high fat content that can cause stomach issues with excessive snacking. 

3.  Pet-Proof Decorations

The first step to protecting your pup from holiday decorations is to anchor your Christmas tree so they can’t accidentally knock it over. Be sure to cover the water reservoir under the tree to ensure your dog can’t drink the potentially toxic sap water inside. If this happens, see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

If your dog likes to chew, another potential hazard is live Christmas lights. To avoid an electrical shock, keep those cords out of reach. Finally, all ornaments and garlands should be kept out of reach since they can cause serious gastrointestinal damage if ingested.

Learn more about caring for your pets during the holidays and get help with any potential emergencies by contacting the veterinarians at Lillian Veterinary Hospital in Baldwin County, AL. This full-service veterinary hospital has been serving the residents of southwest Alabama for more than 22 years. Find out more about the practice online or call (251) 962-2304 to make an appointment.