18/12/2022
Great advice and reminders to ensure our precious pooches are taken care of at Christmas, courtesy of Marie Matthews….
🎄🎅🎄Are you dog-ready for the silly season?🎄🎅🎄
🐾 Many of us are out and about socialising, so if your little mate is at home be sure there’s plenty of shade and water for them and that they’re secure and safe.
🐾 If you are entertaining at home be sure your little mate has a cool place to relax and avoid visitors if they want some peace and quiet. It can get overstimulating for them with lots of new people and noise.
🐾 I always ask guests not to give my dogs any food at all, just so I can be sure they’re not getting anything they shouldn’t have.
🐾 If you’re travelling be sure your dog is microchipped and your details on the database are up to date. It’s also a good idea to put the details in your phone contacts or take a pic of the microchip certificate so you’ve got it with you if you need it. Also have a list of any medications/medical conditions.
🐾 Have your doggy first aid kit handy. I’ll put a Heimlich manoeuvre instruction guide in the comments.
🐾 If you are going to be away from home find out the name of the local vet and their emergency after hours phone number.
🐾 If you’re going swimming with your dog be aware of hyponatremia (water toxicity) and be sure they don’t overdo it and get swimmers’ tail - ouch!
🐾 Don’t let them get too hot ~ heat stress/stroke happens quickly and can be fatal.
🐾 If your dog is afraid of fireworks then make sure they’re kept safe. And encourage your local councils/community groups to use low-noise fireworks which are far kinder to all animals.
🐾 It can be a real temptation to overfeed our furry friends at this time of year, or give them sneaky treats that they don’t usually have. Try not to overdo it and keep in mind that any new items may cause tummy upsets.
🐾 Be really careful of batteries, decorations and pine needles (from live trees) ~ these can be choking hazards.
🐾 Buy toys and chews that are size-appropriate for your dog.
🐾 Avoid nasties like rawhide and other chemical-filled “treats” for dogs (see our Files Section for more info).
🐾 Be mindful of toxic flowers/plants ~ poinsettia and lillies shouldn’t be left at dog-level.
Especially important to remember that many human foods are toxic and dangerous for dogs ~
🐾 Onion ~ also found in stuffing mix, gravy mixes, store bought stock)
🐾 Xylitol ~ found in some candy canes, ice creams, sugar free lollies and gum, commercially baked products, some toothpastes and more
🐾 Alcohol
🐾 Caffeine
🐾 Ham (too salty) and the off cut fat can cause an episode of pancreatitis
🐾 Grapes, raisins, sultanas (mince pies, pudding and fruit cake)
🐾 Cooked bones/shells from seafood/large fish bones
🐾 Macadamias
🐾 Chocolate
🐾 Stones from peaches, plums, cherries, etc
🐾 Blue cheese
🐾 Food on sticks like skewers, ice creams, etc
Keep your mates safe so that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ❤️🐾
