As Christmas draws near, Tis the Season for canine caution becomes a constant re-run in my mind as I prepare for the holiday week hosting friends and family.

Each year the internet is flooded with cautionary tales of what to –

• avoid
• do
• look out for

when it comes to our pets!

Color me hypervigilant because I typically take a moment to glance over a few links as a gentle reminder of what could change the trajectory of my holiday plans. Items I sometimes forget to recognize as potential hazards to our four-legged family members. Here’s a brief overview of what we need to make sure our dogs (and in most cases cats too!) should not get into!

FOODS TO AVOID

• Onions and Garlic: anemia, when consumed in excessive amounts
• Chocolate: vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors and heart failure
• Meat Bones: cooked, can splinter and cause gastrointestinal blockage or lacerations
• Grapes and Raisins: acute kidney failure
• Alcohol: low blood pressure, tremors, seizures, comas, and death
• Sugar-Free Candies and Pastries

HOLIDAY ITEMS DANGERS

• Holly: vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, lip smacking, and headshaking
• Mistletoe: stomach problems and in large amounts may lead to hypotension, seizures, and even death
• Poinsettias: oral irritation and gastrointestinal distress
• Christmas Trees: cover the water reservoir – drinking this stagnant water causes vomiting and diarrhea
• Ornaments and Snow Globes: contain poisonous chemicals that cause kidney failure
• Tinsel, String, Bows, and Ribbons: made from plastic or metal and could cut through the digestive tract if swallowed
• Electrical Cords: if chewed can cause oral burns, seizures, and death

HOUSE-GUESTS

HA!: not what you think 🙂

Guests tend to leave their open purses, briefcases, and fanny packs lying around (on the floor, beds, etc…) with medication, sugar-free gum, or over-the-counter pain meds within the eye/nose sight of your pup. A good practice is to ask your guests to keep their doors closed!

Having a house full can also be stressful for your dog, Make sure he/she has a quiet and safe place to go when it becomes too overwhelming.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS TO STEER CLEAR OF

• Heaters and Warming Devices: can cause trouble if knocked over
• Candles: when lit, place away from your dog‘s reach
• Fireplaces: fire logs – if chewed on could cause a digestive tract obstruction
• Cleaning Supplies: ammonia, bleach, and chlorine can cause stomach irritation
• Rock Salt: stomach upset, and potentially electrolyte problems. When trapped in paw pads, it causes abrasions and lacerations that can lead to pain/infection
• Antifreeze: causes kidney failure and death

TIS THE SEASON IN DOODLEVILLE

All humans will be paying attention to Jaxson and the new items he may want to get into.

My son loves to chew sugar-free gum, but he purposely leaves it in the glove compartment of his car to avoid what could be a fatal accident. A bit “over-the-top” you might think, but I have prayed with one too many pet parents whose dogs were fighting for their lives for far less…

..I’m good with being a helicopter Doodle Mom 🙂

Doodle Mom and I wish you a very Merry Woofmus ❤️