Celebrating Christmas With a Pet Dog
Prep for Holidays With a Dog, Christmas Travel, Great Gifts for Dogs
Oct 27, 2008
Christmas is a joyous, merry holiday, but pet owners will need to make special preparations when traveling during the holidays, when the family comes over for Christmas dinner or when hosting a holiday party or other holiday activity.
The holidays bring a special set of considerations and concerns for dog owners. Consider the following tips for dog owners this Christmas.
Consider Pets When Planning a Holiday Party
Simply stated, dogs and cats don't do well at parties. A pet can be frightened by strangers and loud music. A tipsy Christmas party guest may trip over the dog, causing injury to both human and pet. A pet bird may fly outside if a door is left open. An unsupervised child may interact with a dog in an inappropriate way, leading to a dog bite. Or a well-intentioned holiday party guest may accidentally feed the dog chocolate or another toxic food item.
So when hosting a Christmas Party, New Year's Party, Thanksgiving Dinner or another gathering, plan to confine dogs, cats, birds and other pets to an out-of-the way bedroom, dog crate or the kennel. This will ensure the pet's safety and comfort during the holiday party.
Pets and Holiday Travel Plans
With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it's easy to overlook the dog and other pets. Kennels and pet sitters book up weeks in advance for the time around the Christmas and New Year's holidays. So plan ahead and get kennel reservations or book a pet sitter well in advance to ensure availability.
Holiday travelers who will be flying with a pet should also make reservations long in advance to ensure that their pet will be accommodated, as airlines have a two-pet limit for cats and small dogs traveling in the cabin, and there is also a limit for pets who travel in cargo.
Also remember that pets who are going to stay at a kennel must be current on their vaccinations and most require a kennel cough vaccination within the past six months for dogs who will be staying at the kennel. In the case of holiday travelers who will be going on an airplane with their dogs, a health certificate must be obtained within ten days of departure.
Don't Forget a Gift for the Dog, Cat or Other Pets!
Many pet owners consider their dogs to be furry family members and therefore, many celebrate Christmas with their dogs and other animals. So don't forget a pet Christmas stocking and stuff the stocking with dog treats, dog toys or other items that a dog is sure to enjoy.
Since economic times are tough, not all animal lovers have the money to buy a gift for their dog. Instead, go online and get a great recipe for homemade dog treats and spend an hour or two in the kitchen, making some homemade pet treats. Dogs don't care how much money you spent on them - pets only care about what tastes good and they'll be more than happy to enjoy some homemade dog treats this holiday season.
Homemade dog treats are also a great gift for a family member who also happens to be a dog owner. When doing this year's Christmas shopping, consider getting a fun pet-related gift for an animal lover on that Christmas list.
Other Pet Considerations for This Christmas Season
The holidays are a prime time for pet poisoning incidents. Many new and unusual foods are brought into the home and some of these foods may be toxic. Combine the toxic foods with a tipsy holiday party guest who leaves his chocolate cake within a dog's reach and it's a recipe for a very sick dog. Keep the number handy for the ASPCA's Poison Control Center and also locate the nearest 24-hour veterinary clinic in the event of a pet health emergency this holiday season.
Another tip? Ask gift givers if their wrapped present contains a food item. A dog is sure to sniff out a box of gourmet chocolates that's wrapped up under the Christmas tree. So find out if the contents of a wrapped gift contains a hazard before placing the present under the Christmas tree or in another location within a dog's reach.
In addition, when decorating the home for Christmas and the holiday season, keep the dog in mind. Secure the Christmas tree to prevent tipping; keep glass Christmas tree ornaments on the higher branches; avoid using tinsel, which can cause digestive obstructions for a dog; and avoid using ornaments and decorations that are edible - they will get eaten!
The holidays can be hectic, especially for dog owners and other pet lovers, but planning ahead this holiday season will help to ensure a happy, healthy holiday season for pets and their humans.
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