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Keeping Your Dogs Safe for the Thanksgiving Holiday

By November 22, 2015No Comments

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Thanksgiving is a holiday that’s all about being grateful for everything we have, especially our
loved ones. Of course, this includes our furry friends who give us so much unconditional love all
year round. With all the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving celebrations, it can be easy to
overlook our pets sometimes. As an important reminder, let’s go over some of the little things
you should be aware of for keeping your dog safe during the holiday. From utilizing the best dogfence to keep them contained, to keeping hazardous food items out of their bowl, these simple
tips will ensure Thanksgiving goes smoothly for you and your dog.

Avoid Kitchen Accidents Involving Your Dog

Perhaps the busiest, most stressful part of the Thanksgiving Holiday is the meal preparation.
There just can’t be “too many cooks in the kitchen,” and this should extend to include all aspiring
chefs with four legs. Allowing your dog in the kitchen can lead to serious injuries for them, you,
or anyone nearby, which are most commonly caused by someone tripping over the dog. A hot
oven, boiling liquids, and sharp knives are just some of the dangers. A gate in the kitchen
doorway will keep your dog out, as well as positive reinforcement training for the “place” command, but you can also consider an indoor wireless dog fence barrier so you won’t have to step over any obstacles. At the very least, keep your dog in a closed room
during the most active cooking times.

Keep Table Scraps Out of the Dog Bowl

Many dogs go wild during Thanksgiving because of all the delicious food they can smell. No
matter how much they whine or beg, the safest choice is not to give your dog any table food,
especially if it’s something they’ve never eaten before. In particular, turkey skin and turkey
bones must be avoided; fat from the skin can cause pancreatitis in dogs, and bones can choke
your dog or pierce their throat or stomach. Any desserts containing chocolate or xylitol will be
toxic to dogs. Small food items like raisins, nuts, or grapes are choking hazards. A better idea is
to purchase something for your dog from the pet store, so they can safely enjoy a special treat.

Be Careful When Traveling for the Holiday
Car accidents are the worst danger for people while traveling during the holidays, and your dog
is equally at risk. Your dog should be restrained with a safety harness during any car ride; or
they should be placed in a crate so they can’t jump into the front seat and distract the driver.
You should already have an emergency kit in your car, but make sure it includes items for your
dog, such as an extra collar, leash, bowls, and water. If your dog is trained on an electronic dog fence, you can bring a portable electric dog fence with you to use during rest stops or wherever
you are staying during your trip. This will allow your dog to be safe when no fence is present
without requiring you to walk them on a leash the whole time.

Discuss Dog Safety with Your Relatives

It’s a good idea to make sure all of your guests or hosts are on the same page when it comes to
dog safety. Most importantly, tell your relatives not to feed anything to your dog, and remind
them not to leave their food or beverages unattended. For any children present, remind them
that your dog doesn’t like to be hugged, kissed, or chased. Ask your loved ones to keep their
medications out-of-reach, and if you’re in someone else’s home, inquire about hazards such as
cleaning products, candy bowls, or unfenced yards. If you’re using an invisible dog fence, make sure your relatives know where the boundaries are so they don’t try to bring your dog across.

Watch Out for Potential Home Hazards
Depending on your dog’s behavior and preferences, you may or may not need to be on the
lookout for hazards such as exposed electrical wires. If you’re decorating for the holiday with
anything that lights up, for example, make sure the cords are hidden, and don’t leave lit candles
anywhere your dog could accidentally knock into them. Pumpkins and corn stalks are great
festive decorations, but be cautious, because they may also smell tasty to your dog. While they
aren’t toxic, pieces of pumpkin or corn can cause intestinal blockages, choking, or stomach
aches. Be sure to keep your vet office’s phone number handy.

Understand Dog Stress Signals

Many people get a little stressed out by holiday activities, and dogs are even more prone to
discomfort. If your dog isn’t accustomed to a lot of noise or people, you should be extra aware of
any stress signals they might be sending you. For some examples, watch out for raised fur,
hiding, panting, growling, shaking, staring, showing the whites of eyes, or excessive jumping.
Since you know your dog better than anyone else, recognize any behavior that’s unusual for
them as a sign of stress. If your dog is stressed, take them to a quiet, dark room where they can
be alone with toys and plenty of water to calm down and rest.

As long as you keep these tips in the back of your mind throughout the holiday, you’ll be able to
avoid the vast majority of unexpected accidents. Just keep an eye on your dog throughout the
day, and enlist the help of loved ones to do the same, and your holiday will be as stress-free as
possible. Happy Thanksgiving!

These Thanksgiving safety tips come to us thanks to the ongoing educational efforts of
www.dogfencediy.com; Dog fence DIY looks forward to helping you come up with affordable
and safe dog containment solutions.

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