Author: Haley Gibbs
The holidays are officially here and while it's an energizing and festive time for celebrations with loved ones, it can also be a very exciting but stressful time for your pups. Continue reading for a complete guide on how to keep your dog safe and happy during this jolly time.
Tips for the Hostess
Holiday gatherings can be stressful and loud for our furry friends. So, even if your pup is staying home with you for the merry gathering, try to tire them out before guests arrive. Provide your pup with lots of exhilarating activity so that they have less energy pent up to release in the form of anxiety once festivities begin.
Not all dogs like when other people are in their home. When your dog is stressed, they often prefer a compact space as it provides them with a sense of security and safety. If that’s the case and you have a stressed and/or anxious pup, crate your dog or confine them to a single room if possible to make them feel more comfortable.
When guests arrive, make sure they know any house rules that your dog needs to adhere to such as if your pup isn’t allowed in certain rooms, that they can’t have any food scraps, and if your dog has any behavioral issues guests should know beforehand. If young children are around, parents should be watching kids as they interact with your dog as well.
Offer your dog some tasty treats and their favorite toys to help them take their minds off the commotion or to reward them for good behavior. Natural Farm has a complete range of all-natural chews, treats, and bones which provide healthy distractions for your pup to enjoy. Just don’t leave them alone with their chews as this could be unsafe for them if they don’t chew them properly.
If You’re Leaving Your Pup Home
If your four-legged friend isn’t invited to the holiday celebration, there are a few things you can do to make sure that they have a great and calm time while you’re gone.
Before you leave, make sure to give your dog plenty of exercise so they’re tired when you’re gone. Also, play soothing music and/or have the TV on to provide your pet with some peaceful distractions in the form of white noise so they feel less lonely.
As you’re planning to leave, make sure to keep a few lights on for them and some background music such as a calming instrumental playlist so they don’t hear sounds outside. You can give your dog a special treat to enjoy while you’re still home with them, like Natural Farm’s Beef Jerky treats that make for an exciting high-value chew. Just be sure to take the treat away before you head out because leaving dogs unattended with their treats or toys could be unsafe if they don't chew them properly. Also, be sure to keep your dog hydrated while you’re away!
If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, see if someone can stop by to let your dog outside to go to the bathroom and feed them a meal if it overlaps with their feed time. Or, consider sending your dog to doggy daycare for the day (make sure to check on pickup times though!) so they aren’t alone by themselves for too long.
General Holiday Safety Tips
During the entire holiday season, there are a few things to remember to keep your dog safe and happy:
- Keep emergency contact info in an easy-to-reach place including your veterinarian’s info, a 24/7 emergency veterinarian, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control number (888-426-4435) in case you think your pup ate something that’s toxic for them.
- Seasonal plants such as mistletoe, holly, ivy, and poinsettia are actually toxic for dogs if they ingest it! Either opt for a faux version or keep the live plant out of reach of tongues and paws.
- Nothing is better than a dog’s wagging tail, but be mindful of where you place candles and other breakable decor that can be easily knocked over when your pup gets excited.
- Keep your dog away from holiday decor such as breakable decor that can easily shatter, ornaments, garland, tinsel, etc., as it can easily become a danger for your dog if they step on a sharp object or eat something they aren’t supposed to.
- If you choose a real Christmas tree, know that pine needles and Christmas tree water can cause digestive issues if your dog eats or drinks it.
- With all the delicious food prepared during the holidays, make sure it's not in reach for your dog to be able to grab! Chocolate, garlic, macadamia nuts, almonds, onions, grapes/raisins, xylitol, alcohol, and coffee are all hazardous for dogs to ingest.
- Be mindful of how long your dog stays outside, especially if you live in a colder climate.
For all your special treats and chews this holiday season, visit our store page!
About Natural Farm
In 2018, after years of searching for high-quality, natural dog treat products, we decided to bring them to the market ourselves. That’s how Natural Farm was born—we wanted to present the industry with what it lacked the most: natural dog chews, treats, and bones, sustainably sourced from local suppliers and produced in our own human-grade, FDA- and USDA-approved facilities, where every product is lab tested for quality and contamination.
Natural Farm is committed to pets, people, and the planet. We give back to communities and pets in need, support reforestation efforts and nonprofits, and our products are packaged using recycled materials.
