Holiday Safety (Part One):
The holiday season is fast approaching. Dogs can be a great part of any holiday season. It is fun for their owners to see their dogs getting into the holiday season as well. However, the holiday season contains many potential dangers that can turn a blissful time of warmth and merriment, to an anxiety filled visit to the vet, or worse, saying good-bye to a trusted friend, because the dog's owners neglected taking care of the safety of their animals. Don't say it couldn't happen to you…that is what a lot of well meaning owners say, before it is too late.
Holiday Hazard Number One: The Christmas Tree.
Ah the wonders of a Christmas tree! People going out and picking out the 'perfect' Christmas tree dominates the holiday season. It has become almost iconic with winter and the cold; the majestic beauty of the Christmas tree is a cornerstone of the holiday season.
Follow these safety tips with your Christmas tree, and you will have a safe and fun filled holiday season.
Christmas Tree Safety Tips:
- Forget the Tinsel! Although tinsel has been the traditional fixture for the Christmas tree, every year dogs are taken to the hospital because of swallowing tinsel, which if swallowed can seriously damage their insides or cause a blockage, some dogs can damage themselves so bad by swallowing tinsel from the Christmas tree that they need major corrective surgery to be healthy again.
- Don't drink the water! Do not let your dog use the water for the Christmas tree, as their own personal water dish. Stagnant water, especially when mixed with organic substances from the Christmas tree can be a cesspool for harmful bacteria and other microorganisms, so do not let your dog drink the water. Get a tree skirt to cover the water bowl on your Christmas tree, or try covering it with aluminum foil so that your dog can't get to the water.
- Don't swallow those pine needles and branches! Dogs love to chew things, for many dogs there is something simply irresistible about Christmas tree pine needles and branches. Never leave your dog with a Christmas tree unattended, consider putting the tree in a room that can be shut off somehow from the rest of the house. Pine needles are sharp and can severely damage and irritate your dog's digestive system. So try and trim off some of the bottom branches, especially if you have a smaller breed, so that they cannot reach the branches.
- Watch the power cords! Try and keep the power cords out of the reach of you dog. Chewing on them can result in a fire, or your dog getting electrocuted. So keep those cords out of reach of your animal so that they will not try to use the Christmas tree lights as chew toys.
- Secure your tree to a bracket on the wall with a bit of rope, so that your dog does not accidentally topple the tree harming both themselves and possibly a member of your family.
Remember we here at The Dog Bowl care deeply about the safety of your dog this holiday season. So if you are going to have a Christmas tree in your house this season follow our safety tips so that you will have a wonderful and stress free holiday season!
