Christmas is one of the most anticipated dates on the calendar. By November you're already tempted to open the box of Christmas decorations and decorate the house, to buy nougat and shortbread, and to have the Christmas lights turned on in the streets.
Because those are dates that They take us out of our routine to meet with family and friends that we haven't seen in a long time, of gifts and special touches... and why not? of lots of magic.
However, For our furry friend, Christmas can be synonymous with a time when they catch our happiness and share in it. (because that's how they are, just seeing our joy is enough to make them spend the day wagging their tails), Or, on the contrary, they can turn into days where you suffer stress and are very afraid due to so much traffic of unfamiliar people in the house, various noises, decoration and change of routine .
If you're going to spend this special time with your pet this year, we're going to give you the keys to ensure you both enjoy a safe and pleasant Christmas.
The Christmas tree
It is the most iconic item we can find in any home during this period, and one of the most eye-catching for our pet. Having a dog or cat at home doesn't mean we have to forgo a beautiful tree , but when decorating it, we should try to avoid ceramic or glass ornaments. If they fall to the ground or our furry friend chews on them, they could cut their paws or mouth. Instead We can use wooden, hard plastic, or paper/cardboard ornaments . They're just as pretty and harmless. As for tinsel, it's best to place it at the top of the tree or omit it altogether if our dog tends to eat it.
For added security, we can attach the tree to the wall To prevent it from tipping over, we can place it on a table or similar surface where it is stable, and position it as far away as possible from walkways to avoid collisions or bumps with the tail.
Christmas lights
They can pose a great danger to our pet. First, we must monitor their behavior once we put them in place, and if we see any signs that they might want to bite them (or the cables), we must remove them immediately. If we are not present, We shouldn't plug Christmas lights into the mains electricity , and if we leave home and our furry friend stays behind, we should NEVER leave them plugged in. We can opt for battery-operated lights to reduce the risk.
Lit candles
Candles make any room much cozier, so why not light a few during this time of year? Dogs and cats usually show a lot of respect for fire and stay away from it, but It's a good idea to place them where your dog or cat can't reach them ; in other words, no candles under the tree, on the coffee table, on the TV stand, or anywhere similar. If you still don't think that's enough, you can opt for LED candles, which provide light without the risk of spilling hot wax or setting the curtains on fire.
Christmas plants
At Christmas, it's common to put up natural decorations at home. If you introduce plants like Poinsettia, holly, or wreaths with mistletoe or hellebore , you have to keep in mind that They are toxic to our furry friends. And if they bite or ingest them, they can become poisoned and suffer vomiting, diarrhea, and irritation of the mucous membranes.
Christmas banquets
Without a good feast, it wouldn't be Christmas. No matter how hard it is for us, and no matter how many sad faces there are to make. We shouldn't feed our furry friend, nor allow others to do so , to prevent them from anxiously seeking attention from our guests, but above all, for the sake of their gastrointestinal health. During this time, there are certain foods we must be especially careful with, as they can cause serious problems for our pet:
- Chocolate and sweets in general: Our furry friends don't tolerate sweets well at all. Ingesting even a small amount can cause severe poisoning, tachycardia, arrhythmia, keratitis, ataxia… it's a completely forbidden food!
- Seafood: Shellfish contains a substance that dogs cannot digest: chitin. This substance causes diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation in them. We must be careful with raw shellfish in cats due to the potential for intestinal parasites.
- Grapes and raisins: They are extremely toxic. It is unknown which specific element in the grape produces this toxicity, but the consequences of ingesting them, even in small quantities, are acute kidney failure. However, although the reason is also unknown, some dogs have no ill effects from eating this fruit.
- Dried fruits: Nuts are not at all beneficial for our pets, and macadamia nuts, in particular, are the most harmful. Ingesting them can cause neurological problems (very serious in the case of macadamia nuts), as well as tremors, paralysis, and seizures.
- Alcohol: You probably haven't thought about giving alcohol to your furry friend, but at this time of year there are usually many more glasses of alcohol left unattended, and a furtive lick might happen.
If you want your furry friend to be entertained while you're sitting at the table, You can always give him a long-lasting snack. That way he'll be well occupied and won't have eyes for anything else!
Fireworks
If your furry friend is afraid of fireworks, they may be even more sensitive during this time of year due to other changes in their environment and routine. That's why it's very important to put an ID tag on them, in case they manage to escape from home due to an open door. If there are people and noise in the house, Prepare a comfortable room for him where he can go to hide and find refuge , and if you are away from home and in an unfamiliar environment for him, Don't leave him alone , because you will be his role model in this space and he needs you to feel safe.