Here are a few tips to keep your pets safe and happy throughout the Holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hannukah, Kwanzaa or Boxing Day there are some inherent hazards awaiting your pets just by how things are typically set up!

DINNERS/FOOD

Most foods served up for Thanksgiving and Christmas are not for pet consumption! Starting with the basics like chocolate and candy, both of which can be lethal to pets. The biggest problem with these treats is so much of it makes it’s way into the house that it tends to be everywhere, making it accessible to a large dog or agile cat. Just do your best to control the places people put it in your home.

The process of cooking turkey and chicken causes the bone to become brittle. So now if your dog is handed one to “finish” off there is a chance it will break and splinter as they chew and digest it. The sharp edges can cut the stomach and other parts as it passes through the body or just get “lodged” somewhere. None of that is going to end well!

Turkey skin, onions, nuts and of course, alcohol, are other common food items that typically get shared either on purpose or accident with your pets. Control the urge and keep them on a typical dog food dinner.

HOLIDAY GUESTS

Everyone is bound to have some company during the Holiday season whether that is for meals or just get togethers or literally people staying in your spare bedroom for days on end.

A little prep work is all that is needed here. You know your pets better than anyone else so predict any issues beforehand and try to fix them. Use baby gates to direct the flow of where your pets can go, possibly restricting the kitchen and dining area.

Inform guests of your pets behavior so they know what to expect if new to your home. Jumping up, barking, begging for treats. Tell them what to ignore and not give in to and what to reward with pets and attention. Setting everyone up for success is the way to go here!

Be aware it will take people longer than normal to enter and exit thru the front door. People will be hugging and talking and such and may leave the door askew. Make sure all pets have collars with telephone and addresses on them. Microchip if possible as well. It is easy for a dog to take a guest unaware and squeeze through and escape before they even know what has happened.

TREE DECORATIONS

Christmas tree stability is the biggest one here. The largest thing in your room will definetely be the tree itself and if your pet can accidentally knock it down it could fall on them or something else breakable making for a big mess for you to find! Make sure the tree is stable inside the base stand before you start decorating it.

Lights should be strung mainly higher up if possible. On the lower part, where the boughs are spread further apart make sure the lights are tight and not “sagging” between branches. This will help if cats swat at them for them not to give and seem like a play thing.

Plastic and glass ornaments should again be hung higher up. These can catch the lights in the room or on the tree and hence catch their attention which will lead to them trying to get it down. Hang the decor as far into the branches as possible so they can’t easily swat them off. Tinsel is also super dangerous as alot of pets will actually ingest strings of it. Keep it higher up on tree when possible too.

Follow all these tips and tricks to ensure you, your family, any guests, and most importantly your pets have a great time for each and every Holiday. And don’t forget to give them a treat or two under that tree for themselves… Try our online shop for clothes, bling, toys, and bedding presents- http://stores.jocobarkingclub.com. And try our online barkery for all natural, homemade dog treats they can enjoy on the Holidays – http://stores.jocobarkingclub.com/barkery/