Christmas has arrived early, but so have the Christmas dangers for our dogs.

Christmas defiantly arrived a bit sooner this year as everyone and so have the Christmas dangers.

It’s not been an easy year, so people are ready for something to look forward to, something to make them smile.

The decorations started going up in mid November and not just a few, peoples houses are dripping in lights!

With the joy of the decorations going up and Christmas food infiltrating our homes.

So have the Christmas dangers for our puppies and dogs.

These are my 12 Christmas Dangers that are hazards for dogs, so you can keep your dog safe this festive season.

Coventry’s Puppy Training Specialist is sharing with you the hazards at Christmas and she wants you to be aware of these Christmas dangers to keep your dogs safe

There are many dangers around your home that you need to be aware of that can be dangerous at Christmas for your dogs.

Some of these Christmas dangers you will be very aware of and some not so much.

I have been talking to my puppy owners in my puppy classes in Coventry about these dangers.

Some management will go a long way this Christmas, so you can have a stress free and relaxing Christmas with your dogs.

Chocolate

The darker the chocolate, the worse it is for our dogs and the darker it is, the more it contains of a chemical called theobromine.

This is a chemical that is found in chocolate which is toxic to dogs.

Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, problems with the heart and even death in severe cases.

Avoid putting any chocolate on or under the Christmas tree, as it can be too tempting for some dogs.

I know this well, even a dog trainer can get caught out with this Christmas danger!

My first Christmas with Eric ended us up at the vets after he consumed 5 Thornton chocolates from an advent calendar.

We thought they were put out the way, where there is a will there is a way and he found a way.

He has a real taste for sweet things and you only have to open a kit kit in the same room as him and he is next to you in a shot.

If you have chocolate around, just keep it right out of the way of puppies reach.

Raisins, Currants and Sultanas

Raisins, Currants, Sultanas and Grapes are all key ingredients to our favourite Christmas time treats, such as Christmas pudding, Christmas cake and mince pies.

They are toxic to our dogs, just 5 raisins per 10kg of dog can be fatal and cause kidney failure.

Remember you not being kind saving them a bite of your mince pie.

Onions

Onions can have a toxic effect on the red blood cells with our dogs.

Initially there may be sickness and diarrhoea, but the main effect is damage to red blood cells which can result in anaemia.

You may not notice anything different with your dog for a few days after they have eaten it so best to call the vet off this happens straight away.

Cooked bones

When you cook your meat, it causes the bones to become brittle.  Brittle bones snap and break.

This can cause horrendous internal injuries and potentially lead to expensive surgeries and potentially loosing your dog.

Your dog can have raw bones, but please look into raw feeding before you just give your dog a raw bone.

Your dog should not be given a weight bearing bones as they can crack teeth.

Here is a website to get you started Natures Menu or Honey’s who have a great free book.

Nuts

Nuts can be toxic in some cases and the high levels of salt on them is not good for our dogs hearts.

They also have the potential to lodge in their intestines and cause blockages for our dogs.

Macadamia nuts in particular can cause lethargy, increased body temperature, tremors, lameness or stiffness in dogs.

Keep them right out of the way, so not left out for people and dogs to pick at or pinch.

Cheese

Our dogs should leave dairy well alone, as they are lactose intolerant which a lot of people do not realise.

It is often something people will recommend to use for dog training at puppy training classes.

But is it not great for them, they are much better with some protein like chicken or beef.

Stilton is a staple on most cheese boards at Christmas and other blue cheeses.

Dogs are extremely sensitive to Roquefortine C which is  a chemical contained within blue cheese.

Christmas Plants

We tend to bring in seasonal Christmas plants into our homes at this time of year.

At Christmas we bring into our homes poinsettia, holly, ivy and mistletoe

All of which can be toxic to dogs and lead to vomiting.

If you decide to bring them into your home just make sure they are out of the reach of your dogs.

The plant with berries that have the potential to fall off, remove them or ensure when they fall they don’t fall into the reach of your dog.

They can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach with overproduction of saliva and potentially vomiting

Christmas Trees, Baubles and Fairy Lights

Once your tree is up, ensure it is securely based, so that they are less likely to be knocked over by a inquisitive puppy.

Only allowing access to the room with the tree in when you can supervise them.

If your puppy eats pine needles, they can potentially cause stomach upsets and intestinal problems. 

Baubles are of particular fascination to dogs.

Glass baubles can shatter, creating sharp shards dangerous to them so only hang them up high on your tree.

Dogs have been known to chew baubles and other decorations. This can lead to lacerations in the mouth or intestinal blockages.

Fairy lights pose the possibility of dogs getting tangled up in wires, which can cause an animal to panic and injure themselves.

Bulbs can also pose threats to dogs if they are swallowed.

Edible decorations are always going to be of interest to dogs, and even placing them out of their eye-line won’t stop them from investigating further!

there are lights that can get tangled, tinsel galore with is super tempting and you’ve hung ball from a tree for your dog!  Think about

Tinsel and Ribbons

Puppies and dogs will play with the ribbons we use to decorate our presents if they are left out or with tingles we decorate out homes with.

These can be easily swallowed and become entangled in the our dogs intestines which would cause a blockage.

Sweeteners

Xylitol is sugar-free sweetener that is often is found in the sweets that we will be consuming over Christmas period.

You will also find it in chewing gum, mouthwashes, toothpastes, peanut butter and supplements.

To our dogs through it is poisonous.

Just one or two pieces of chewing gum could potentially cause a toxic effect to a small dog.

It can induce the release of insulin in the body, resulting in low blood sugar and sometimes liver damage.

Signs of poisoning can really vary, it may be rapid or it may be delayed.

You may see vomiting, lethargy, convulsions and your dog may go into a comas.

Alcohol

Lets be honest its not great for us, and with our dogs it can have a similar effect.

Your dog may become wobbly and sleepy.

If they manage to drink an excess of it, there is a risk of low body temperature, low blood sugar and coma.

Dogs can be chancers and sometimes they may help themselves to any unattended drink, whether that is a cup of tea or a pint of beer.

Please do ensure it’s always out of their reach.

Batteries

There may be lots of new toys and gadgets around, especially if you have children.

With new toys and gadgets, you need batteries.

Please do not leave batteries lying around.

It is easily done you pop them on side and forget about them as your too busy getting the new toy to work.

If a battery is chewed and swallowed, they can cause an obstruction, chemical burns and heavy metal poisoning.

Those small disc batteries are a threat to dogs, as they can damage the oesophagus by getting stuck there and causing chemical burns.

Which leftovers this Christmas can I treat my dog to?

You don’t want to overwhelm your dog with lots of new foods as it will just cause upset, remember they don’t know its a different day.

Providing your dog is healthy, the below are safe to give them a titbit of at Christmas:

• Turkey, chicken, lamb, beef meat (no bones)
• Vegetables are great for your dogs – Brussel sprouts, Parsnips, Carrot, Peas, Swede, Mash potato or new potatoes (not roast!), New potatoes, Sweet potatoes
• Yogurt – but check the ingredients and don’t feed if xylitol is listed as this is toxic to dogs which often is on diet/low fat options

Remember, giving your dog lots of new food can cause vomiting and diarrhoea!

Please do not consult Dr Google or ask the Facebook Warriors if you are concerned you dog has consumed the above.

PLEASE just call your vet for advice instead.

Its not worth the risk.

Have a super festive period this Christmas and if oyu have a puppy coming to live with you this Christmas dopant forget to get booked onto our Puppy Problem Prevention Programme Puppy Classes in the new year.

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