Hello! We hope you are having a lovely December so far and are enjoying the Christmas festivities. We wish you and your furry friends a very Merry Christmas!
Don’t forget that if you book in December you will receive grooming vouchers, an offer too good to miss! Make sure you keep your voucher safe and present this in order to redeem your discount in the new year.
Christmas brings lots of changes within our households! A tree indoors, lights and decorations – perfect for chewing! Rearranged furniture and lots of wrapped presents, dying to be ripped open. Lots of visitors and an excessive amount of snacks ready to be devoured. With a little preparation, we can make our homes safe and welcoming for both our human and canine companions. We thought it might be useful to give you a few tips to keep your dog happy and healthy over the holiday season:
Christmas Trees – Pine needles can be toxic or could puncture a dog’s stomach or intestines, even needles from artificial trees can be dangerous! Make sure your tree is kept in a stable stand and anchored firmly to the floor, wall or ceiling to reduce any risk of it toppling over!
Christmas time is full of delicious treats. Nuts, chocolate, rich fatty foods and alcoholic drinks – all of these can be dangerous and discomforting for your dogs. It is important to be aware of this and to advise any guests not to feed anything to your dog! Stock up on appropriate snacks for your four-legged friend, and try to keep mealtimes regular to avoid them feeling too hungry.
Decorations – Be aware of the decorations in your home. Tablecloths and runners can be irresistible to dogs that love to play tug-of-war! Ensure they are secured or out of reach. Whilst tinsel may be sparkly and festive, it can be dangerous if swallowed by your dog. It may get wrapped around the base of the tongue and cause choking, or potentially intestinal obstruction or vomiting – beware! Some decorations contain substances that are poisonous to dogs, be aware of what you are choosing to put up and consider carefully where they are positioned – preferably out of reach! Ensure any wires or extension leads are covered and taped down, and don’t forget to unplug those fairy lights when they are not in use!
In all the hustle and bustle, make sure your dog has a quiet, private and safe space to have a break should they need it. Try to stick to their usual routine through the holiday season to reduce stress and anxiety that can come with the festive season. Take note of your vet’s Christmas hours (just in case of emergency), and as always make sure your dog is chipped and collared with up to date contact information.
Finally, we wish you a very merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the new year!
