It’s hard to say no to the puppy-dog-eyed beggars at the dinner table. However, it is important to know what they can and can’t eat, especially if you’re one to share your holiday feast. For specific food-related questions, you should always consult your vet. You should also keep phone numbers and addresses readily available for your vet and your local emergency vet too.
Here is a list of some of the foods to avoid giving your pet:
Chocolates, candies, and other sweets. Even though the dangers of chocolate are well known, it is still one of the most common causes of poisoning among dogs. Keeping these items out of reach, including what you dispose of in your trash cans, is crucial to ensuring your pet doesn’t get ahold of them.
We all know chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but did you know that cookie batter and bread dough are also dangerous? Your pet’s stomach is actually the perfect environment for bread to rise, so consuming unbaked dough will expand their stomach and cause excessive bloating. In more severe cases, it could even cause rupturing.
Bones. You may feel tempted to give your dog a bone as a treat during the holidays, but you should avoid doing so. As bones cook, they become brittle and can easily splinter or become stuck in your pet’s throat or digestive system, which could cause serious injury. Instead of feeding them bone scraps from your meals, you may want to purchase a raw bone made for pets.
Rich fatty foods and skin. Just like with bones, you may want to share a bit of your holiday meal with your pet as a treat. Unfortunately, sharing is not caring in this case, and you should avoid it. Turkey skin and chicken skin have high-fat content, which can cause irritation and inflammation to the digestive system. These foods can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even pancreatitis.
Alcoholic Beverages. This one seems like a no-brainer, but just like with the food mentioned above, pets have a knack for getting into things they aren’t supposed to. Drinks are often left unattended at gatherings, which could lead to a curious pet gulping down your cocktail. Keep a close eye on holiday foods that may also contain alcohol, and keep them out of reach from your pets.
Other foods to avoid include onions, garlic, shallots, raisins, grapes, fruitcakes, nuts, seasonings such as sage and nutmeg, and milk products. For a detailed list of foods to avoid, ask your veterinarian for a handout.
Decorations
Decorations are new, sparkly, and exciting. Not only do they pique our interest, but they may catch your pet’s attention too. Keep some of these things in mind when setting up your holiday decor:
Christmas Trees. Your cat may see your Christmas tree as their next big adventure. Make sure that you properly anchor your tree to avoid serious injury. If you buy a live tree, keep pets away from the tree water, as it is often a breeding ground for bacteria. Use tinsel with caution. Its glitter and shine may be fun for a curious pet, but if ingested, the tinsel can cause stomach and intestinal problems which could mean an expensive surgery bill for you.
Lights and Candles. One of the best parts about the holidays is the lights–indoors and out. Keep electrical cords out of reach to avoid being chewed on or tampered with by a curious pet. A great option to replace open-flame candles is using flameless, battery-operated candles. If you still choose to use traditional candles, keep them out of reach from paws, noses, and wagging tails.
Holiday Plants. A lot of seasonal holiday plants are toxic to pets if eaten. Use plants like poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe with caution. In some cases, it may be safer for pets prone to tampering with plants and decorations to replace your holiday plants with silk or plastic versions to avoid unnecessary injury.
Anxiety
The excitement of the holidays or your holiday party may be too overwhelming for some pets. Make sure you inform guests ahead of time that you have a pet, and if needed, provide your cat or dog with a quiet room away from the event/party.
Ensure your pet has up-to-date IDs and chips, even if you plan on staying home. Anxious pets, especially dogs, have a tendency to run away in response to fear. Especially if you are hosting, it is necessary for your guests to know to secure doors behind them and keep your pets away from high-traffic areas.
CBD for Anxiety. Giving your dog CBD calming products such as CBD Soft Chews or CannaHearts before festivities or traveling begins may help dogs that exhibit nervousness or respond to environmentally induced stress. It may also promote a sense of relaxation and mental alertness without drowsiness.
CannaLove CBD Supplements provide the naturally occurring complex of cannabinoids found in broad-spectrum hemp, which may provide your dog with the entourage effect required to support proper cannabinoid intake. These supplements are formulated and developed to support your dog experiencing occasional unwanted stress and anxiety without affecting your dog psychologically. Adding a CBD supplement to your dog’s holiday and travel routine may help to maintain your dog’s comfort.
Conclusion
We hope that you found this blog helpful. Holidays can be stressful, even for your pets. Make sure you are prepared in case of an emergency and keep these safety tips in mind so that your pets can enjoy the fun and festivities with you!
