Christmas and Dogs

Christmas and Dogs

Christmas is coming, so here’s some tips on how to keep your dog happy during this festive season.

• Foods that your dog can enjoy (in moderation); skinless turkey and chicken, sausage, ham, sweet potato, most green veg, parsnip, mashed swede and carrot (no butter added).
• Foods that they can’t have; Christmas cake/pudding, mince pies, macadamia nuts, walnuts and stuffing (contains onions).
• Do not leave chocolates laying around or hanging on the tree. Poisoning happens as dogs aren’t able to metabolise theobromine effectively.
• Make sure any holly/berries, mistletoe and poinsettia are well out of reach.
• Take care with tinsel and other decorations, such as glass baubles, as these can cause an obstruction or injury if swallowed.
• Be careful that there are no trailing cables or tree lights, as they can shatter and cause injury or your dog can get tangled up in them.
• Anchor the tree securely – especially if you have a puppy or rambunctious adolescent hooligan! You may like to pop a barrier around the tree to keep it safe, as well as the presents underneath it.
• Keep lit candles away from your dog’s tail wag zone.
• Keep an eye with dog-dog interactions, even the best of friends can get a little protective over new toys.
• If you can’t actively supervise your dog, then just shut the door of the room that you don’t want them to go in.
• Give your dog their own presents to open. Wrap them loosely in brown paper or cardboard, making sure that it’s just being ripped not swallowed.
• Make sure your dog has their safe place to remove themselves from the hustle and bustle if they want to.

If your dog does become overstimulated and over tired, then here’s some calming activities they can do;

• Sniff out either some of their food or tiny goodies in the garden or suitable room.
• Give a loaded Lickimat or Kong with either some of their wet food or some mashed banana or dog friendly peanut butter on/in it.
• Give your dog a brand new long lasting healthy or natural chew in their safe place. A whimzee, yaker, dehydrated fish stick, beef hide or trachea.
• Hide some of your dog’s dry food in a snuffle mat or rolled up towel.

Here’s wishing you and your dogs a very Happy Christmas!