‘Tis the season to be jolly, and as much as we love our veterinarians no one wants a trip to the emergency room over the holidays! We’ve put together a few tips for you to keep your hound happy and healthy while you are celebrating and indulging over the Christmas period.
Don’t forget if you are unsure about what your pet has ingested or if there has been an incident call your vet ASAP.
How to prepare for Christmas at your house
- Christmas is a busy and stressful time of year. Don’t forget your hound can get stressed too! With lots of people coming and going, kiddies with noisy toys and everyone in a rush, don’t forget to make your best friend comfy.
- Christmas can be noisy, with banging, crackers and loud voices. Lots of strange people add to that stress. Create a safe place for your hound to escape to. Give them their favourite toys and blankets, turn on the radio low to some soothing classical music, provide them some enrichment and leave plenty of water.
- Baby gates are a great way to separate children from your hound, allowing your hound to feel included. Also educate children on how to behave around your hound.
- Remind guests to shut gates and doors, and to do it quickly. Pop a note on your exterior doors as a reminder for people without pooches who could easily forget there is a four-legged family member about.
- If you have guests staying overnight keep doors to bedrooms shut and ask guests to make sure their bags or suitcases are closed securely. Also ask them if they have any medications to keep them out of reach of sneaky noses.
- Ask guests not to feed your hound, and to be careful to clean up anything spilled on the floor quickly. Don’t leave food or drink (alcoholic drinks especially) that may be dangerous for your hound laying around where they can access it.
- Be aware of gift-wrapping paper left lying around. Bows, ribbons, and string can be dangerous if ingested.
Environmental management is key! If you can’t safely create a space for your hound to retreat to and be left alone when you’re hosting an event, then consider a houndsitter.
Christmas not at home this year? Remember to make your houndie comfortable.
We are often out of the house longer periods than normal around Christmas time. If you are going out keep in mind it can be stressful for your pet to have an unusual routine, so don’t go out all day and night without checking on your hound.
If you are taking your hound with you make sure you can put he or she somewhere safe for time out if need be too, and that wherever they are is safe.
Christmas Trees
- Make sure you anchor your Christmas tree securely to prevent a curious snout toppling it over
- Sweep up pine needles (real or artificial) regularly so they aren’t taste tested by mistake
- If you are decorating your tree with breakables put them up high out of reach. If they get knocked off they could be hazardous for paws. Also try and avoid tinsel which if ingested can cause serious issues and a trip to the vet.
- DON’T decorate with edibles – they are far too tempting for houndies who will easily move from being counter surfers to tree surfers!
- Keep tree light cables secured and check regularly in case someone has had a nibble. Any damaged cables are a shock risk and should be repaired.
- Use a barrier around your tree if possible to prevent dogs from drinking the water for a real tree and DON’T add preservatives to the water, these are toxic.
- Don’t leave presents under the tree where your hounds can find them, especially if there is food in them.
Treats and Food
- Don’t give your dog cooked bones of any kind, as they can splinter in the stomach and intestine. Also steer clear of these human foods!
- If you are cooking a ham or turkey make sure you don’t leave it on the bench for counter surfers to find. Instead of putting bones in the kitchen bin wrap them up and put them straight into your big bin outside. A determined dog will sniff out the bones and knock over your bin otherwise!
- Don’t give human food scraps to your dog. Too many fatty foods can cause severe gastric upsets and even pancreatitis. The best treats are those you know are dog specific, as tempting as it is to sneak them some ham.
- Chocolate, mince pies, plum puddings, fruitcake, alcohol and lots of other Christmas goodies are toxic for dogs. Put all food away and out of reach, and dispose of all wrappers, foil, and string in a secure bin.
If you’re stuck on how to spoil your hound this Christmas, here are five ways to make their day just as special:
- Bake them a pupcake or a pupsicle! Forget those human scraps, treat them with their own special dessert.
- Buy them a new toy, perhaps something extra squeaky! You can check out some great options currently available at the Greyhound Rescue shop.
- Take them on their favourite local walk. Christmas day can be a hectic time travelling from house to house, with your hound spending a long time on their own. Schedule in a nice long walk to start their day well. This will also help them maintain some of their normal routine.
- Pack them their own special Christmas stocking, chock full of yummy treats. You could even throw in some dental chews to keep their teeth nice, clean and healthy.
- Last but not least, pop on a Christmas movie! Cosy up with your hound, after all there’s nothing they love more than some quality time with their hoomans.
Have a safe and happy Christmas!