As Christmas festivities are in full swing and it’s a busy time for us all, always make time to ensure you know what to watch out for this Xmas when it comes to your dog.
Christmas is for sharing as we all know, however be aware that some human treats & snacks can be harmful for your dog. Ignore the puppy dog eyes when it comes to the following…
- Chocolate – Even in small doses, this can be very harmful for your dog so make sure these are out of reach and not lying around– including under the tree!
- Christmas pudding & mince pies – One of the main ingredients in these Christmas classics are grapes and dried fruits (currants, raisins & sultanas) which can be highly poisonous to dogs’ kidneys.
- Onions – A staple seasoning/food used a lot this time of year, although tasty for us these can be very harmful for your dog cooked or uncooked. So think before giving them tid bits in gravy, stuffing etc.
- Sweets – remember that sugar is poisonous to dogs so keep sweets out of paws’ reach!
- Leftovers – make sure you check leftovers thoroughly in case they include poisonous ingredients, or even mould!
With all the beautiful Christmas decorations, remember to “dog proof” anything that could be hazardous including:
- Glass decorations – As magical as these can look, some decorations such as baubles could look like a classic toy to your dog, such as a tennis ball, so it is always good for these to be kept out of reach in case they are broken and accidentally stepped on / swallowed.
- Edible presents under the tree – Be careful when leaving presents under the tree in case these are edible and sniffed out by your dog!
- Fairy lights – So beautiful to look at, but the wires attached to the fairy lights could be tempting for your dog to chew – so it is always good to keep an eye on this and make sure they are unplugged when not in use.
Undoubtedly there will be a lot of different things happening over the Christmas period which your dog might find stressful. Below are some tips to help support your dog:
- Provide a safe space – Some dogs will need to have a safe quiet place where they can take themselves off to when it all gets a bit too much. Ideally this space will be somewhere quiet and dark, with minimum interaction from others. Make sure they have a comfy bed, plenty of blankets and their favourite toys.
- Keep a routine – With people enjoying their time off, routines can slip – but it is always beneficial to keep the dog’s routine how it is so as not to confuse or worry them.
If you are looking for extra support this time of year to help with stress, our proven to calm* products: Scullcap & Valerian Tablets and Valerian Compound can be the perfect addition this time of year:
- Our Scullcap & Valerian Tablets are created with specially selected active herbs that work together to help reduce stress, fear and anxiety in pets.
- Valerian Compound is perfect for this time of year as can be used for unplanned events and that one off situation that you were not prepared for, also ideal as a top up to go alongside our Scullcap & Valerian Tablets.
*2022 trial conducted within University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine degree including 46 participants and their dogs using Scullcap & Valerian Tablets (unpublished data, full data available on request)
