This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tender & True Pet Nutrition. All opinions are 100% mine.
The holidays are almost here, can you believe it?! With all of the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. There’s last minute gifts to buy, cookies to bake and dinner menus to plan all while preparing your home for out of town family and friends. All of that excitement sure can take its toll on us, but it also can also take its toll on your furry best friend. Slow down and take a few moments this week to consider holiday pet safety for your little (or big) fur ball.
Here’s 5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe this Holiday:
Keep Dress Up Items Out of Reach. Who can resist snapping a few photos of their dog with antlers on for the holidays?! My children love to dress our golden retriever Oscar up with headbands, glasses, bows and even jingle bells this time of year. He’s a big goof ball and really hasn’t ever seemed to mind all of the fun. He’s use to it here at our house.
Those items however, left unattended, are what dogs love to chew on. Unfortunately, dogs can easily choke on these items or they can end up with a piece of something stuck in their digestive tract. A situation like this could not only end up with an emergency vet visit, but could also take your dog’s life.
Don’t Feed From the Table. Delicious homemade food fresh from the oven calls everyone to the table. As your dog smells the savory and sweet aromas from the kitchen, his nose will lead him right to the table as well.
You may have a “no feeding from the table” rule that your immediate family follows every day, but guests may not know that and may try to “treat” your dog because it’s the holidays. Feeding your dog table food is a recipe for an upset stomach and can be a choking hazard. Bones and fatty pieces of meat can easily be choked on especially if your dog is overly excited and eats it quickly.
Our holiday food may also contain things that are poisonious to our furry family member. Toxic foods include chocolate, grapes and some nuts.
Treat Your Fury Friend. Make sure you have a good treat on hand for your dog during your family’s dinner time. After all, it’s the holidays and we want our pets to enjoy themselves too. They’re part of the family!
We always make it a point to give Oscar a special dinner on Christmas. Tender & True Organic Chicken & Liver Recipe (complete with whole chickpeas) makes the perfect treat! I love to keep this healthy, wet dog food on hand for special occasions. Tender & True provides an irresistible dinner, complete with nutrients your dog needs while keeping him occupied and not begging for your dinner table.
Tender & True Pet Nutrition is made with the the same food standards we expect for ourselves. Its balanced formula is free from fillers, corn, soy, is always antibiotic free, and is never made with artificial ingredients. This Farm-to-Bowl superfood will keep your dog feeling and looking their best so you can enjoy each other for many more holidays to come!
These tasty wet food options are available in several different varieties and come in an easy to open can for freshness. If you happen to have a stocking hanging above your chimney for your dog this year, these definitely make great stocking stuffers!
Consider The Company You Are Having. Whether you are entertaining a few guests for the holidays or a house full, consider how your pet will react to them.
Does your dog have a lot of energy?
Does he get excited easily?
Does he calm down easily?
Does he growl at small children?
Please plan for these types of situations.
At our house, it’s a must even during a special occasion to get Oscar outdoors for some exercise and fun. After all, at 2 1/2, he’s still much like a puppy. This gives him an opportunity to burn up some of that wonderful energy he has, which in turn helps him calm down very easily with the added excitement in our home.
A dog with too much built up energy can possibly become a problem. They can become destructive looking for things to do while we are busy entertaining or can become anxious and on edge around unfamiliar people.
Every dog’s temperament is different and sometimes a startling move from a guest may scare your dog. Smaller children love to reach their tiny little fingers out to pull a tail or paw too. For the safety of your pet and for smaller children, consider a quiet place your best friend can go to to have a little alone time if things get too crazy. (Maybe I should make a quiet alone time place for myself too! 
)
Wipe Your Dog’s Paws. Taking a quick walk down the street or letting your dog run around your property this holiday is a great way to get some fresh air and burn up some of that dog energy at once.
Keep in mind that many city sidewalks and your home’s walkways will most likely have salt on them. Salting sidewalks and walkways are a necessity during a snowy and cold winter to help melt icy patches that can be very dangerous. No one wants to slip and fall.
Your dog’s paws however can be burned by the rock salt. Small, crushed particles can get stuck in-between wet and furry paws which can eat away at delicate skin causing pains and sores.
Keeping a towel (dampen it before you head out if need be) next to your door is a helpful reminder to wipe each paw off when you come inside. If this is something new for your pet, start by having him sit and gently pet then wipe each furry little paw. Soon enough it will become just part of your routine!
From my Family to Yours, Happy Holidays!
The post 5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe this Holiday appeared first on Cozy Country Living.
