Christmas decorations and toys that can be harmful to your dog
The holiday decorations are being put up with less than three weeks till Christmas. You might be too busy enjoying the celebrations to give your pet's interaction with the decorative items any thought, but it is crucial that you do.
Christmas may be a thrilling and perplexing time for our dogs because there are so many brand-new and interesting things around the house. Your dog can easily get overwhelmed and become enthralled by their natural inclinations to explore with all the wonderful decorations everywhere in the house, a tree with lots of lights and color, a plethora of fresh and exciting aromas, and an assortment of new gifts for the household.
Even though the holiday season can be stressful, it's crucial to keep a tight check on your dog because some of the decorations and other items we use to celebrate The holidays can be harmful to them.
In order to ensure that your decorations last at least until Boxing Day, our pet safety experts at Morgan's Pawsitive Pup Training have compiled a list of harmful Christmas decorations/items for dogs, ways to safeguard them from dog damage and tips to prevent dog injuries caused by decorations.
1. Christmas lighting and decorative lights
Along with the risk posed by any sharply shattered bulbs or lights and the blockage risk posed by the plastic cable, there is also a chance that your dog could be electrified if they chew on your Christmas lights.
If your Christmas tree has lights, keep them out of your dog's reach and ensure that as much of the cord is covered or tucked away from your dog as you can.
To prevent your dog from going too close to your Christmas tree if this is not possible, think about putting a baby gate around it.
Many dogs will also find sparkling fairy lights to be fascinating, but again, inquisitive puppies run the risk of becoming tangled in cables or receiving an electric shock when biting them. Dog owners must be extremely cautious about how much cabling is uncovered. You might tape the wires to the floor to hold it firmly in position and hide the cords by burying them under a rug. Another way to limit visible wiring is to tape it along the floor boards. For added security, you might very well even choose to cover it with some other piece of furniture.
2. Christmas tree.
Your dog may actually suffer harm from your tree, as pine needles can be a choking hazard and can get caught in paws. Additionally, spraying preservatives on "actual" trees can make dogs nauseated. Your dog should never be left alone inside the same room as your Xmas tree, at least not for an extensive period. When their owners are not present to discipline them, puppies are much more inclined to engage in mischief.
3. Baubles and Christmas ornaments
Dogs will be tempted to chew on ornaments because they basically perceive them as large, shiny tennis balls. Avoid mounting heavier or glass ornaments on your tree because it will be more challenging to fasten them safely. If they do come off, your dog may suffer injuries from the collision or cuts from any flying debris. Try to keep any sensitive decorations of this sort off your tree and instead place them on somewhere more durable, such as your mantelpiece.
4. Tinsel
Given that each tiny piece of plastic or foil provides a significant risk of choking for your dog, tinsel is clearly one of the most hazardous holiday decorations to have around pets. No matter where it is, keep any tinsel out of the reach of your dog so they can't chew or play with it. This goes for tinsel on your tree as well as any other surfaces. To prevent your dog from consuming any loose plastic strands, be sure to vacuum any room that has tinsel on a regular basis. The pine needles that fall from your Christmas tree, which pose another probable choking risk, can also be removed with regular vacuuming.
5. Toys
Children's toys may attract dogs during the Christmas frenzy, and pieces of toys could be ingested, potentially leading to a hazardous obstruction in your dog's digestive tract.
6. Edible ornaments
We all know how covetous our dogs can be, and while delicious goodies like chocolates and candy sticks will have your dog salivating in delight, they will however make them extremely ill if they do manage to get their hands on them. The best course of action may be to leave nothing eatable on your tree if your dog has a special fondness for food. However, if you forever want to give the kids in the house some sweets from the tree, put them somewhere your dog can't reach them.
Similarly, if there are any advent calendars in your home leading up to Christmas, hang them high and out of your dog's reach, preferably securely fastened to a high spot on your wall.
What to do if you suspect your dog has ingested an inappropriate item.
Contact to your veterinarian right away if you suspect that your dog may have ingested, inhaled, or touched something that it should have not.
Never risk making your dog ill. Attempting to do so may result in further issues that could be harmful to your dog.
Rounding Off.
This content is not meant to be used as a material to be utilized in an emergency; rather, it is meant to be used to avert dog poisoning and injuries by increasing knowledge of certain Christmas decorations and toys that can be harmful to your dog. Contact your neighborhood veterinarian clinic right away if you suspect that your dog has been injured or has come into contact with presumably dangerous substances.
Always get in touch with your vet right away if you have concerns about your dog's health.
Since we are not an animal health organization, we are unable to provide veterinary advice. However, if you have any questions about any of the problems mentioned in this article, we encourage you to get in touch with your neighborhood veterinary clinic.
Our experienced dog training experts at Morgan's Pawsitive Pup Training can also help you train your dog to listen to you and obey your commands festive periods like Christmas.