Mary Allen
For us humans, Christmas means jewelry, treats, and presents. But what sounds so heavenly to us harbors plenty of dangers for our four-legged friends. So that you don’t spend Christmas Eve in the veterinary clinic, you should definitely follow these tips.
Dangerous Plants
Although it is a classic at Christmas time, as a dog owner you should be careful when it comes to poinsettias. The plant is poisonous to your fluffy friend. If you absolutely want to use a poinsettia for decoration, place it inaccessible to your wagging tail. And mistletoe and Christmas roses should only be hung up or placed where the whimper definitely won’t be able to reach them. Because they can also lead to poisoning.
Dangerous Light
Candles should also only be placed out of your dog’s reach and certainly not burn unattended in his presence. If there are flickering candles on the coffee table, the four-legged friend unintentionally wags his tail over them, and either a visit to the vet, a new carpet, or a call to the fire department is due!
The candle is not a treat either. If your dog has nibbled on one or even eaten it completely, you should consult a vet to be on the safe side. There is absolutely no danger with practical LED candles. These cannot spill wax or cause fire or burns.
Dangerous tree
The Christmas tree also poses a few dangers for the dog. But don’t worry, you don’t have to do without this beautiful tradition completely. However, it is advisable to keep a few things in mind. First of all, a tree stand is recommended, which is designed in such a way that your dog cannot get to the water in it. Alternatively, you can purchase a cover that will block the path to the water. There may be dissolved substances released from the tree in the water that could be dangerous for your animal.
When decorating the tree, you should make sure that you do not attach the balls and the chain of lights too low. This is especially true if your tree is directly on the ground. Your dog could clear away all the jewelry there in no time at all. Either because he sees the balls as toys or because the tail wags so happily that first, the balls, then the candles, and finally the top of the Christmas tree takes off. If your dog gets caught in the chain of lights, there is also a risk of electric shock.
But even if you decorate carefully – falling Christmas balls can never be completely avoided. Therefore, decorate your tree with plastic instead of glass balls. If one of them falls, you won’t immediately have shards on the floor that could be dangerous for your dog.
For the sake of your dog, you should also avoid tinsel. If he absorbs this, there is a risk of a life-threatening intestinal obstruction!
Dangerous scents
During the Christmas season, one often sees bowls in which scented oils provide Christmas aromas. If your dog finds the oil so exciting that he drinks it, there is a risk of gastrointestinal problems, irritation of the mucous membranes, and, in the worst case, even poisoning. If you don’t want to do without the Christmas scent, place the bowl at a safe height so that your dog cannot reach it.
Dangerous Delicacies
Even if colorful plates with plenty of sweet delicacies are simply heavenly for us during the Christmas season – they can quickly become a danger for dogs. Don’t let your fluffy friend nibble on these treats, as they often contain cinnamon, bitter almonds, cocoa or are made entirely of chocolate. All of these substances are toxic to dogs and can bring the celebrations to an early and dramatic end.
And Wauzi also has to do without the holiday roast. Even if he looks at you with begging eyes, you shouldn’t give your dog leftover roast goose or duck. Poultry bones are very small and splinter easily, so they can get stuck in the esophagus or injure the four-legged friend from the inside.
Of course, a special holiday treat for the dog is allowed here and there. In general, however, he should be fed regularly over the holidays. Then there is no risk of stomach upsets, he can enjoy Christmas and get through everything alive and well.