Another year is nearly over and Christmas is just around the corner.
Lots of planning goes into Christmas Day and it’s a good idea to plan ahead for our dogs as well. Here are some tips to make your Christmas with dog enjoyable!
Whilst most dogs are social, they do get tired at Christmas and - just like children – and need a quiet, safe place to rest. Have a soft bed prepared in a laundry, crate or kennel area for them to sneak away from the festivities. This is particularly important if your dog is not comfortable around people.
Keep your dogs away from the table laden with goodies. Many of our Christmas foods can be toxic to dogs including alcohol, coffee, avocado, ham, raisins and nuts. Avoid adding left - over gravy and sauces to your dog's dinner plate - they can be very rich and cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Place a barrier around the Christmas tree to prevent swallowing of Christmas baubles which can cause a blockage if ingested. Similarly, toys often contain small pieces and batteries which can also be harmful if swallowed.
Get the kids involved making some special dog biscuits and snuffle mats. These can be wrapped up under the tree for their own dogs or given as gifts to dogs of friends and family. Click here for Martha Stewart's great recipes for yummy dog biscuits.
Ice blocks made with stock or left -over meat are also a great idea, particularly on a hot Christmas Day.
Most visitors don’t like paw prints all over their good Christmas clothes so put your dog behind a baby gate - or outside - when visitors first arrive. Give them a snuffle mat covered in kibble or small cat treats to keep them occupied while you are greeting your family members.
There are many wonderful toys available for our dogs at Christmas. Always consider the size of the toy to prevent choking hazards and ensure you have a toy for each dog if you have multiple dogs. Keep dogs separate when there is food around and ask children to leave them alone when eating as well. You can shop The Dog Lady recommended product on our website.
Preparation and management can help keep our dogs safe over the festive season. Hospital visits are expensive and I’m sure our lovely Vets would rather be at home with their families as well. Don’t hesitate to contact your Vet clinic however if you have any concerns regarding your dogs’ health at any time Have a great day, Toby x
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