More pets are injured or go missing during the holiday season from Halloween to New Year’s Day than any other time of the year. Unfamiliar people, loud noises, changes to your pet’s routine, etc. can all be a bit overwhelming for our furry friends, particularly the small guys. Small dogs such as Toy Poodles, Bichon Frises, Jack Russell Terriers, and Chihuahuas tend to be more anxious than their larger brothers so even small changes to their routine can affect them greatly.
I’m not saying skip the most wonderful time of the year! Who wants to miss out on all the fun festivities and parties to attend, friends and family to visit, and so much great food to eat? Not me! What I am saying is please be mindful of your furry friends during this time, especially your small guys. Keeping their safety and comfort in mind during the holidays will make the season much more enjoyable for you both. Here are some things to be aware of and tips for dog safety during the holidays.
Halloween
Costumes on your pet – The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) recommends you dress your dog up only if they love it. Wearing a costume can be stressful to a dog that is not used to being dressed up. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume doesn’t have small parts or pieces they could chew off and swallow. Also, make sure their costume doesn’t impede normal movement, breathing, seeing, and barking. Above all else, your pet’s costume should be comfortable and safe.
Costumes on people – Masks and costumes not only hide your face but also camouflage your scent, this can be a very frightening situation for our pets. It’s best to leave your pet at home if you are going trick-or-treating. And if you’re hosting a costume party, provide your pet a safe area away from ghostly guests.
Trick-or-treaters – If you’ll be handing out candy, you may want to put your pet in a quiet room safely away from trick-or-treaters. The continuous knocking or doorbell ringing can be stressful for pets. Also, opening your door for trick-or-treaters is a prime escape time for your pups. It is, in fact, one of the most common holidays for pets to be lost. Make sure your pet is microchipped, has their ID tag on, and all info is up to date. 
Candy – Absolutely no candy sharing, no matter how much your dog gives you the big puppy eyes. Xylitol is an ingredient in many candies and is extremely toxic to dogs. Chocolate is also very toxic to dogs. If you suspect your pet has eaten either of these things, call your vet or the pet poison hotline right away! Make sure that your kid’s trick-or-treating haul is out of your dog’s reach and teach children not to share their loot. If you are handing out candy, make sure the bowl or bag is safely out of your pets reach too.
Decorations – Use caution when placing Halloween decorations around your home. Motion activated ones can be especially frightening for your dog. Pumpkins, while not toxic to dogs, can cause GI upset if too much pumpkin is eaten. Make sure pumpkins are out of reach and lit with battery operated candles, not real ones.
Thanksgiving
Foods – While there are many Turkey Day foods your dog can eat safely, unless you know what those foods are it’s best to skip the scraps.
Some of the foods your pup can enjoy with the rest of the family are sweet potatoes (boiled or baked skins off), potatoes (boiled or baked preferably skins off), apples (no seeds), turkey (no skin or bones), green beans, and pumpkin. All of these foods should be fed in moderation and plain, as in no butter, spices, seasonings, or extra salt added.
Some of the foods you may be eating at Thanksgiving but are not safe for your dog are candy, chocolate, desserts, onions, chives, scallions, turkey bones and skin, gravy, stuffing, raisins, casseroles, ham, yeast dough, foods containing spices, coffee, alcohol, and fatty foods (fatty foods can cause pancreatitis, a very painful sometimes fatal condition in dogs). This is not an exhaustive list, there are plenty of other unsafe foods your dog needs to avoid.
Please do not feed your dog something unless you know for sure it is safe. The ASPCA has a great list as does the APCC (Animal Poison Control Center). If you think your pet has eaten something toxic, call your vet or APCC (Animal Poison Control Center) at (888)426-4435 immediately.
Decorations – Use caution when placing decorations around your home. Pumpkins, while not toxic to dogs, can cause GI upset if too much pumpkin is eaten so keep them out of reach. Corn cobs and husk decorations should be kept out of reach as well. Corn is not toxic to dogs, but they can’t digest the cobs which could lead to intestinal blockages.
Trash – Make sure all trash is in a chew proof bin and secured with a lid. Trash is like a beacon for your pets, if they can get in it, they will. They don’t care if it’s filled with lots of dangerous stuff like bones, toxic foods, chemicals, etc.
Leftovers – Clear tables of food as soon as you are done. Your little fluffy may look innocent, but trust me, they have just been plotting all dinner for the minute you get up to steal whatever is left over for their own.
Christmas
Plants – Many holiday plants are hazardous to your pets and should be kept out of their reach, or just not brought into your home at all. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the more common hazardous holiday plants in case you and your pup visit friends and family that may not be aware of the dangers. The APCC has an extensive list of plants poisonous to pets. Here are a few of the more common holiday plants that pose a risk to your pup: Amaryllis (Christmas flower), Ivy, Holly, Mistletoe, Autumn Crocus, Azaleas, Christmas Rose, and various lilies. Poinsettias and the Christmas Cactus are not fatal to dogs but can cause GI upset and skin irritation. Christmas trees (various pines) can cause skin irritation and GI upset too, but the real danger is your pet ingesting the pine needles. This can cause GI blockages or even perforations which can be fatal.
Christmas trees – As previously mentioned, pine needles can cause skin irritation and GI upset, but more importantly, ingested pine needles have the potential to cause serious harm by perforating your dog’s GI tract. Make sure your pup stays away from the tree and vacuum up any needles on the floor promptly. Your pup could accidentally step on a fallen needle and ingest it while trying to chew it out of their paw. Cover your tree’s water supply. Tree water can contain pesticides, fertilizers, bacteria, not to mention whatever homemade concoction you threw in there to keep your tree fresh longer. Make sure all light cords are out of reach so your dog can’t chew them. You may want to forgo any low-hanging ornaments or garland that your pet can get to. If your dog thinks everything should be investigated by chewing the heck out of it, you may want to think twice about putting wrapped presents under the tree, especially wrapped food presents. Oh, and make sure your Christmas tree is secure. My sister’s tree fell over, lights, ornaments, water, the works. Not pointing fingers, but the only ones home at the time of this disaster were two rowdy Pit bulls with a lot of free time, just saying…. secure your tree.
Decorations – Make sure your decorations are pet safe and remember to unplug all decorations when not at home. Electrical cords left plugged in can seriously hurt a cord chewing pet.
New Year’s Eve
Fireworks – Just like the 4th of July, take extra care of your pets during firework displays. Loud noises and bright lights can be extremely frightening to pets. Never take your dog to a firework display. Loud noises, loud music, unfamiliar people and unfamiliar places are all scary to your furry friend and lead to more missing pets than any other holiday besides 4th of July. If you are going out for NYE, it’s better to leave your pet at home where they are most comfortable. Set up a little safe haven for them that is quiet, has some treats and water, and something with your smell on it, like a t-shirt. You can even put on some soothing music to drown out any firework noise. Better yet, have someone that you know, and your dog is familiar with, stay with them. Taking your pet out for a long walk well before the fireworks start may help to calm or at least tire them out.
Throwing Holiday Parties
Throwing a holiday party can be so much fun! Dressing up, getting to visit with all your family and friends, eating great food, drinking, dancing. I know it can be very tempting to let your pup run around showing off the new ugly Christmas sweater you just got him, but all these new people in his space can be a little overwhelming. To make the night a little more enjoyable for you both, consider making your buddy a safe haven in a quiet room in your house. Make sure your pup has his bed or crate, some treats, water, his favorite toys, a blanket and something that smells like you, like a t-shirt. You could turn on his favorite T.V. show or play some soothing music. Let your guests know that room is off-limits or put a “do not disturb” sign on the door. Taking your pup on a long walk or some vigorous play time before the party can help to relax him for the night too. 
Candles
Candles are an integral part of the holiday season. Whether you’re celebrating an important holiday like Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, or simply lighting candles for ambience, keep your pet’s safety in mind. Candles can drip hot wax on your pet, burn your pet, or start a fire so keep all candles out of reach and never leave lit candles unattended.
Final Tips
Make sure you have a plan before the holiday season, this will save you precious time in an emergency, and that time may mean the difference between life and death for your beloved pet.
Vet – Your vet is a great reference for any questions about keeping your pet safe during the holiday season, don’t hesitate to ask them. Also, post your vet’s phone number somewhere highly visible, like on the fridge and in contacts on your phone. Easy access to your vet’s number can save precious time in an emergency. Know your vet’s holiday hours as well.
Local emergency clinic – Their number should also be posted alongside your vet’s number for easy access.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center – The ASPCA online is an excellent resource for all things poisonous to pets. For emergencies, call their 24/7 hotline: (888) 426-4435. Post this number next to your other emergency numbers for easy access.
Animal CPR – In the event of an emergency, knowing how to perform CPR on your pet properly can save their life.
Pet first-aid kit – Having a kit where all your supplies are in one place saves time when caring for your injured pet. There are many kits you can buy online, or you can make your own. The ASPCApro.org website is an excellent resource for how to make your own.
Take a picture – A recent photo of your pet is helpful in case your pup gets lost.
ID – Make sure your pup’s ID info (tags and microchip) is current in the event your pup runs away.
Conclusion
Dog safety during the holidays doesn’t mean you can’t decorate, throw parties or have fun. It just means being mindful of your pet. Making your dog’s safety and comfort a priority during the holiday season help you both enjoy the festivities even more. Are there any tips or strategies you’ve used during the holidays to keep your pets safe? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you.