The holiday season is a joyful time to gather with family and friends, decorate around the home, and enjoy traditions old and new. While the season can sometimes get a little hectic for everyone, including our pets, don’t stress – we’ve got you covered with tips and tricks to make the holidays fun, safe, and festive for your dog and all its favorite humans.
Common Holiday Food Hazards for Dogs
Many holiday foods can be harmful or even deadly to canines, with symptoms ranging from a mild upset stomach to severe vomiting and diarrhea.
- Avoid giving your dog fatty or spicy foods, bread dough, fresh herbs, alcohol, caffeine, and sweets of any kind– especially those containing chocolate or artificial sweeteners like xylitol.
- If you choose to share from the table, think plain steamed green beans instead of green bean casserole and in small portions.
Why Cooked Bones Are Unsafe for Dogs During the Holidays
Cooked bones from poultry can easily splinter, causing choking, gum damage, or intestinal issues.
Bag them up and deposit them in your outdoor garbage can to prevent kitchen digging and reward your well-behaved pooch with a proper dog bone instead.
Holiday Plants That Are Toxic to Dogs
Did you know holiday plants like holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, and amaryllis (a type of lily) are poisonous? Keep these beautiful-but-dangerous favorites away from your pets – and the potpourri while you’re at it.
Dog Safety Tips for Lights, Candles, and Holiday Decor
- Candles are an integral part of the season, but a swinging tail can burn your pet or cause a fire. Make sure they are inaccessible to your four-legged friend.
- Keep holiday decorations, including string lights and other festive lights, out of your dog’s reach to prevent chewing or electrical hazards. Keep wires or batteries safely tucked away.
- Be careful with snow globes, which can contain antifreeze. If one takes a tumble, keep your dog out of the room while you clean up the liquid and dilute the spot with water and floor cleaner to ensure your dog does not return to lick the spill.
Dog-Proof Your Christmas Tree to Prevent Hazards
- Anchor your tree to the ceiling or wall to prevent an accident with a curious pup.
- Hang non-breakable ornaments near the bottom of the tree and avoid tinsel, which can cause serious internal damage.
- If you prefer a real tree, regularly sweep up fallen pine needles, which can cause intestinal punctures, and don’t let your dog drink the tree water, as it can lead to a variety of health issues.
Help Your Dog Stay Calm During Holiday Gatherings
Dogs can get excited or nervous about gatherings of any size.
- Exercise your dog for 30 minutes or more prior to any festivities to make them more relaxed or likely to take a nap.
- Reduce exposure to unusual activities and commotion and give your pup a break from the hubbub in their crate or on their doggie bed in a quiet room.
- Make sure their bowl is filled with plenty of fresh water – pets stressed by unfamiliar events and faces typically pant more.
Pets Like Presents too!
Help yours stay busy and out of trouble with great gifts that last the whole year, like a new leash, a GameChanger or Kong puzzle toy, or even dog training from Bark Busters.
Wishing You a Safe, Cheerful, and Festive Holiday Season from Bark Busters
We’re here to support you and your dog through every season—including the busy holidays. Whether you’re preparing for guests, managing new distractions, or starting fresh in the new year, our trainers are ready to help you build calm, confident behavior at home.
Let us make this season—and the year ahead—happier and stress-free for you and your dog.
