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Dog-Proofing Your Christmas Decorations
Best By Farr • December 2, 2024
The holiday season brings joy and festivity, but for pet owners, it also brings the challenge of keeping curious dogs safe from Christmas decorations. Here’s a guide on how to ensure your decor is dog-friendly, ensuring a safe and joyful holiday for all members of your family.
Potential Hazards from Common Decorations
- Power Strips and Electric Cords: These are essential for lighting but can pose electrocution risks if chewed. Ensure cords and power strips are concealed or inaccessible to your pets.
- Christmas Stockings: While festive and fun, if hung within reach, they can be pulled down and chewed, possibly leading to ingestion of non-food items or treats that could be toxic.
- Ornaments: Dogs may see shiny or dangling ornaments as toys. If these are made of glass or small parts, they can break and cause injuries or be ingested, leading to serious health issues.
- Christmas Trees: The oils from some real trees can be irritating to pets, and the needles can cause gastrointestinal upset or injury. Ensure your tree is securely anchored so it can't tip over.
- Holiday Plants: Many plants like mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias are toxic to dogs. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
How to Safely Decorate
- Elevate Your Decorations: Keep decorations out of reach. Raise your Christmas tree off the ground and use gates to block access to rooms with decorations.
- Secure Electrical Cords: Use cord protectors or tape cords down securely to prevent your pets from getting to them.
- Choose Safer Ornaments: Opt for plastic or unbreakable ornaments and avoid using tinsel or angel hair, which can cause intestinal blockages if ingested.
- Monitor Your Dog: Keep an eye on your dog when they are in decorated rooms, or consider creating a safe, decoration-free zone where they can relax without supervision.
- Plant Placement: Keep all plants on high shelves or in rooms that are off-limits to your pet to prevent any accidental ingestion.
Implementing Safety Measures
- Use Baby Gates: These can help to restrict access to areas of your home that are heavily decorated.
- Avoid Toxic Treats on Trees: If you traditionally decorate your tree with edible items like chocolate or popcorn, consider skipping these if your pets can access the tree.
- Immediate Gift Placement: Rather than placing gifts under the tree throughout the season, bring them out just before you are ready to open them to avoid tempting your dog with wrapped items that could contain food or small, chewable parts.
By following these tips, you can enjoy a festive and bright holiday season with your decorations and your pets safely coexisting.
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Embarking on a journey with your furry companion involves navigating the pet policies of various U.S. airlines. With recent adjustments to ensure safer and less stressful travels, understanding these guidelines is crucial. Here’s a rundown of the pet policies of major U.S. airlines and some tips for a smooth trip. AVMA and USDA Pet Travel Tips Before you fly: Ensure your pet is healthy with a vet check-up. Acclimate your pet to their travel crate. Opt for cabin travel over cargo when possible. Choose flight times that are temperature-appropriate. Prepare all necessary documents and health certificates well in advance. Airline-Specific Pet Policies Alaska Airlines Requires reservations for pets, with fees starting at $75. Pets can travel in the cabin or the baggage area. Short-nosed breeds have restrictions, especially in cargo. Health and vaccination requirements must be up-to-date. JetBlue Offers the JetPaws program, rewarding pet travel with extra points. Charges $125 each way for pets. Limits pets to one per passenger, with carrier weight limits. Pets must stay in their carrier throughout the flight. Delta Airlines Charges $125 for in-cabin pet travel. Has breed restrictions and specific kennel requirements. Pets must remain in their kennel under the seat during the flight. Hawaiian Airlines Charges range from $60 for inter-island flights to $225 for North American flights. Limits the number of pets and imposes strict carrier inspections. Requires advance reservations and health documentation. Southwest Airlines Allows up to six pet carriers per flight, on a first-come, first-served basis. Charges a fee and requires pets to travel with their owners. Pets must remain in carriers under the seat during the flight. General Tips for Flying with Pets Book direct flights to minimize stress and handling. Fly during less busy times for easier management. Arrive early to allow for extra check-in time. Consider your pet's feeding and exercise schedule. Navigating airline pet policies requires preparation and understanding of each airline's specific rules. By planning ahead and adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable travel experience for you and your pet. For the most accurate and detailed information, always check the airline's official website or contact their customer service directly before booking your flight.
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