foodEveryone has their favorite holiday. Are you a Thanksgiving person or a Christmas person? Maybe you are a 4th of July kind of person. Regardless of your favorite, most holidays have one thing in common: Food. When it comes to our dogs, they get excited about a feast as well. Whether it’s the Thanksgiving turkey, the Christmas ham, or hot dogs on the 4th, the dinner bell is ringing for Rover!
Since we are just moving past Halloween, let’s talk about things to be cautious with as we move through a year of holidays.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are a food lovers dream and your dog is no exception. Make sure to keep your dog away from the feast (and the garbage) to prevent an embarrassing and potentially dangerous episode of binge eating. In addition to severely upset tummies, ingesting bones, food wrappers, other bulky objects can lead to obstructions and serious health issues. Also don’t forget to keep your eye on Uncle Marty- there is always someone at the party that is slipping food to the dog under the table!
The Christmas tree can also be a source of problems for pets. Pine needles, pine sap, and the water from the bottom of the tree can be very irritating to your pet’s stomach. Pets sometimes want to eat tinsel or other stringy objects that can cause obstructions and become medical emergencies. It is always best to keep curious pets away from the tree.
Moving on through the year, most holidays necessitate similar precautions when it comes to our pets. That said, there are a few things that are specific to certain holidays:
- New Years and July 4th fireworks can scare dogs and lead to them running away. Make sure your dog is well secured if they get scared by loud noises
- Halloween and Easter and Valentines Day are the time for lots of candy. Remember that chocolate, raisins, grapes, and artificial sweeteners are all toxic for dogs.
- July 4th, Labor Day, or any other excuse to BBQ is great summer fun. Keep the dogs away from the hot coals and if you are cooking with skewers, watch out! Dogs will eat meaty skewers, which can then cause damage to their insides.
Our pets are family and we love to celebrate holidays with them. For everyone’s sake, take special care during those times when temptation is high. Nothing puts a damper on holiday revelry like a trip to the emergency room, so please keep pets safe during the festivities throughout the year.
