The holidays can be stressful for everyone — with changes in schedules, food and treats all over, and socializing cranked up to the max, it’s important for us to take care of ourselves. Well, the same goes for our dogs! As we jump into the holiday season, it’s important to keep your dog’s health and safety in mind. Check out New Hope Dog Rescue’s (NHDR) 4 tips to ensure your pooch is feeling their best throughout the month!

1) HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

We love to enjoy beautiful lights and decorations this time of year, and so do our dogs — sometimes a little too much! Be sure to decorate your house safely by following these guidelines:

• Keep all decorations, especially shiny ones like lights, ribbons and tinsel, away from your dog

• Keep an eye out for items that aren’t usually out, like batteries and wires, as these can pose a safety threat to your pets

• Consider flameless candles, as happily wagging tails can knock regular ones over and pose a fire hazard

• Similarly, make sure you have a screen in front of any live fireplaces

• Make sure your tree is secure and can’t be knocked over. Same goes for other hazards like snow globes! 

• Double check your dog isn’t chewing on the leaves or branches from a tree, especially pine needles. They also should not be drinking water from a tree base

• If your dog likes to snoop, ensure that there isn't any food or treats underneath the tree — even if they are wrapped!

• Many seasonal plants, like ivy, holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias should not be consumed by dogs

  
  

  2) HOLIDAY FOODS

  

The holiday season is wonderful for trying out new foods and treats, but it can pose some real dangers to pets if caution is not taken. Refer to the list to keep your dog’s tummy feeling good throughout the holidays:

• Avoid leaving food out unattended

• Watch out for specific foods which can be dangerous for dogs, especially bones, candy, chocolate, citrus and pits, and grapes

• Keep alcohol away from your dog

• Monitor and seal away the trash to prevent your dog from consuming scraps

• Avoid allowing your dog to eat high fat foods

• Don’t let your dog to consume Xylitol, which is a common ingredient found in diet foods and even some peanut butters

• See a more in-depth list from Humane World for Animals of foods your pet should avoid

3) TRAVEL AND GUESTS

While it can be wonderful to visit with friends, family (and Santa) during the holidays, the socializing and changes in schedule can be stressful for our furry friends. Follow these guidelines when travelling and hosting to keep your dog safe and feeling good:

• Consider whether taking your dog on a trip is necessary, especially if they may be more comfortable at home with a trusted pet sitter

• If you are travelling, ensure they have the necessary tags, collars and microchips. Similarly, bring any important items that will help them feel at home like beds and toys.

• If you are hosting guests, set up a peaceful area for your pet to enjoy before the holiday commotion begins

• Stick to regular routines as much as possible (walks, feeding, exercise)

• Ask guests to keep food and medications out of reach

• Watch out for signs of stress in your dog when around guests and children

See our tips on bite prevention for even more safety practices for your dog and children.

4) EMERGENCY PREPARATIONS

As much as we try to avoid it, sometimes things happen. It’s important to be prepared for emergencies to make sure your pet can be treated as quickly as possible:

• Know your nearest 24/7 emergency vet clinic ahead of time

• Stay up to date on any holiday hours of your pet’s clinic

• Store important phone numbers and addresses somewhere easily accessible

• If you are travelling out of Saskatoon or Saskatchewan, make sure you have this important information for the new area you will be in!

So there you have it! Everyone, including your dog, deserves to enjoy the holidays safely — and following these 4 tips will help ensure that can happen! Remember:

1. Make sure you keep your decorations tidy and away from especially curious dogs.

2. Keep your dog’s diet on track and ensure they aren’t eating unusual and toxic foods.

3. Keep stress levels low by maintaining your usual feed and exercise routines and giving your pooch some well deserved alone time.

4. Be prepared for the worst and know your plan if something goes wrong.

If you are in the festive spirit and looking to volunteer at NHDR, see our Volunteer Application page to get involved. We are always looking for volunteers and have many different types of volunteering opportunities. Happy holidays!