Holiday delights — and dangers — for your dog
The holidays are upon us, and for many people, their companion animals are a big part of this festive season. Some of us have special gifts for them, give them extra treats, and dress them in seasonal outfits that I’m convinced would render them abjectly humiliated if they could see themselves.
Indignities aside, we all like to do special things for our four-footed friends during the holidays.
But it’s important to know what’s safe to give them and what isn’t, and what pet dangers can lurk in the holiday home.
In most cases, dog toys make great gifts — just make sure the toy is appropriate for your dog. If Rover is a fierce chewer, for instance, you want to focus on chew-resistant rope toys and hard rubber toys like Kongs or Nylabones.
Most dogs find “squeaker” toys irresistible, but if your pup tends to tear soft toys apart, remember that he could end up ingesting the plastic squeaker during these destructive forays.
And size matters: a golfball-sized toy in the paws of a large dog could easily get swallowed or lodged in his throat. And be sure to remove anything like ribbons, strings, eyes, and anything attached to the toy with sharp connectors that your pooch could swallow.
If you’re going to bake or buy special treats for your dogs and put them under the tree, they need to be inside a dog-proof container in case Fido decides to do a little “snooping” while you’re away! And make sure that any treats you buy are made in the U.S. and contain healthy ingredients.
So now let’s talk about keeping your pup safe during the holidays. If you have a Christmas tree, things like tinsel, garland, glass ornaments, and electrical cords are dangers that could tempt a curious dog to investigate, and the results can be catastrophic. And never leave a lit candle anywhere near where your dog could accidentally knock it over.
Avoid feeding your dog rich and fatty table scraps like turkey skin, meat drippings, pie crust, and whipped cream, all of which can cause serious pancreatitis.
You may believe that poinsettias are deadly to dogs — but according to the Pet Poison Hotline, while it’s true that the plant’s brightly colored leaves contain a sap that can cause vomiting, most animals won’t eat a large enough amount to cause poisoning because of the sap’s bitter taste.
Many people also believe that Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter cactus are toxic — but as with poinsettias, these plants are only dangerous in large quantities, and most dogs will avoid taking more than a bite or two.
Far more toxic are the plants I discussed in my last column: lily, mistletoe, and daffodil and Amaryllis bulbs.
With all that being said, don’t let these hazards keep you from decorating for the holidays or having seasonal goodies around the house. Just take some common sense precautions to keep your furry friends safe and happy during this wonderful time of the year.
Happy holidays from Joan, Joey, and Indy!
Joan Merriam lives in Nevada County with her Golden Retriever Joey, her Maine Coon cat Indy, and the abiding spirit of her beloved Golden Retriever Casey in whose memory this column is named. You can reach Joan at joan@ joanmerriam.com. And if you’re looking for a Golden, be sure to check out Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue.