The Holidays are in the air – It's the time to reflect and express the joy of giving, hope, peace and cheer.
It's also time to celebrate, visit family and friends, and share some yuletide joy in the way of food, treats, and gifts! But what to get everyone? Well, I'm here to help at least offer some ideas for your four-legged friend and some insight to keep it a safe holiday for all.
Why not get Fido a new collar, portrait, or party hat! Photos and paintings are the perfect keepsake and here are some businesses I can personally recommend to help you with just.
For Photos and Paintings, check out Amelie Art, JT Yost, Arlene Horton, PhoDOGraphy, Fetching Dog Photos, and Petographs to name a few.
And, what dog can't use a fresh collar, clothing, bed, or chew toy for the New Year! Check out these sites to have one Posh Pooch this season.
Collars, Clothing, Jewels: Andrea Levine Jewelry, Bully Ware NY, Buddy G's, Bowchies, Charming Pet Products, Dolores Piscotta, Doggy Apparel, Puppy Kisses, TORU, and Big Dog Beds.
While many of us love to decorate, eat sweets, and indulge in a tad too much drinking – the festivities can pose hazards for our pooch. Chocolate can be dangerous, tinsel and other decorations can obstruct the bowels, and splintered turkey bones can damage the intestine.
We've long heard Poinsettias and Christmas Cactus could be poisonous to pets, but many vets say they will mostly just cause an upset stomach. If your pet does ingest either of these, don't feed them much for the next day to help calm their stomach.
While we may be inclined to sneak our dog some rich holiday food as a special treat, we'll pay the price later mostly with their unpleasant gas and diarrhea – not "a good thing" for your guests! Chocolate and macadamia nuts on the other hand can become toxic for your dog. While a little bit of chocolate won't kill your dog, it's the theobromine in chocolate that can cause neurological and cardiac concerns. Baker's chocolate is nearly 10 times more potent than milk chocolate. Vomiting and diarrhea are the first signs of trouble to take your dog to your vet. Macadamia nuts too can bring on fever, vomiting and possibly rear leg paralysis. The severity of the toxicity depends on the size of your dog and how much it consumed.
Here are 5 tips for Pooch Party Precautions:
- Decorate with your dog in mind – Leave the bottom tree branches free of ornaments, tinsel, and lights up so your dog can't damage them and hurt themselves. Hide batteries so they don't become chew toys that can block the intestines or create an ulcer.
- Drink alone - Well, with other humans. Alcohol has the same effect on dogs as it does people, but dogs are even more sensitive to it.
- Electrical Cords – Use a cord wrap and/or tuck cords out of the way to prevent your dog from chomping on them.
- Make a Getaway - Create a special place for your dog to escape when adult guests and children become too much.
- Spend time as well as money – A quality moment and walk will help everyone feel better with all the activities, excitement and a tinge of stress in the air. Time together is priceless.
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