Holiday Safety Checklist for Dogs

Cosy nights in, twinkling lights and plenty of treats… The festive season is such a wonderful time of the year! But with all the excitement, it’s easy to forget that the holidays can also bring a few extra hazards for our dogs. To help keep your pooch safe and comfortable over the holidays, here’s a simple checklist to guide you.

Holiday Dog Safety Checklist

Keep decorations out of reach

Decorations make our homes feel festive, but they can be tempting for curious dogs. Try to keep ornaments, tinsel and fairy lights higher up and tuck away any loose wires. Avoid edible decorations like chocolate baubles or candy canes - dogs often can’t resist them and they can be very harmful if eaten.

Watch what they eat

Many of our favourite holiday foods aren’t safe dogs. Chocolate, grapes, raisins and onions can all make them poorly. Keep plates and leftovers out of reach and remind visitors not to sneak them any scraps. If you’d like them to have a treat, keep some dog-friendly snacks nearby instead.

Be careful with festive plants

Festive plants like poinsettias, holly, ivy and mistletoe look lovely, but they’re not safe for dogs to nibble on. If you have them around the house, keep them well out of reach or go for artificial ones instead.

Find out more about plants that can be harmful to dogs →

Help them unwind

All the noise and activity of the holidays might be a bit much for some dogs. Make sure they have a cosy spot where they can relax if things get busy. Also, sticking to their usual routine for walks and mealtimes will help them feel more settled. You could also consider using natural calming drops for dogs to reduce stress during particularly hectic moments.

Clear up wrapping and ribbons

After the excitement of unwrapping presents, remember to tidy up paper, ribbons and packaging. These can be fun to play with but risky if swallowed.

Travel safely

If you’re heading away for the holidays, make sure your dog travels safely in the car (either in a crate or with a proper harness). Bring along their usual food, water, blanket and any medication so they feel at home wherever you go.

Wishing you and your dog a warm and peaceful holiday!