The Humane Society of the U.S. says there are more than 78 million pet dogs in the U.S. That’s a lot of furry family members at risk of stress or injury this holiday season. Pommy Mommy would like you to be aware of these potentially hazardous situations and make sure your Pomeranian stays safe as you celebrate the holidays with friends and family.
Increased Activity Can Lead to More Stress
During the holidays, you may have more friends and family over. You may also be more active around the house as you decorate and prepare for parties. The presence of more people shuffling about, many of them strangers, can be very stressful to your Pomeranian, especially if they are sensitive to bells and door knocking like our Yoki. I always give her and allow her access to a quiet, out of the way place like the bedroom where she can rest and hide. Allow your Pom to mingle with people as they wish, but don’t force them to meet “Uncle Charlie” if they don’t want to. It’s important to watch for doors opening and closing by guests which may give your very curious furry baby the opportunity to escape from the house like our Mika.
Decorating for Disaster
Holiday decorations are fun to look at but they can cause your pet some serious problems, says the American Humane Association. Everything from tinsel and ribbons to trees and wreaths can injure your pet.
Christmas trees should be secured from tipping over. Running and jumping Pomeranians can bring a whole tree down quickly, when you’re not looking… they may be small but they are fearless. Small, breakable ornaments should always be hung high on the tree, and out of reach. Tinsel and ribbon should also be out of reach or not used at all, it can be swallowed, creating a gastric obstruction that may require a trip to the Vet or worse. Keep lights and wiring out of reach to prevent a “shocking” experiences from happening from happening…. I caught Niko chewing on on my iPhone charging cord. And I know this should be a no-brainer but I’ll mention it any way, candles need to be out of reach and not left on when out of the house. Even if neglected for a few minutes, a Pomeranian’s tail or nose could knock a candle over, causing a fire.
Watching from a Distance
If you’ve made a New Years resolution to buy a security system for your home, then perhaps you should buy and install it early and pretend it is a Christmas present of safety for the whole family. The lure of gifts around a tree entices home burglars on the prowl in your neighborhood. Research the options available when looking at home systems such as CPI on SecurityCompanies.com. Many companies offer security cameras that you can monitor from your smartphone or tablet. This could be an easy way to keep tabs on your furry babies and to make sure they don’t get into any of the holiday gifts or decorations while you’re away.
Food Hazards
The ASPCA reminds us that dogs especially Pomeranians are not very discriminating about foods they will try to eat. In fact, even if it just looks edible, many will try. It’s a good idea to feed your Pom before you eat or before guests arrive. Ask your guests to not give food to your Poms, no matter how cute they are and how much they beg. I wrote other blog posts about food hazards and the holidays (Top 10 Things Not to feed Your Pomeranian & A Pommy Mommy Thanksgiving ) but it’s always a good reminder to keep your pets out of the vet’s office with an upset stomach, or worse:
- Chocolate (as well as anything sweetened with xylitol)
- Rich, fatty foods, such as turkey and chicken skin or gravies
- Turkey and chicken bones
- Onions is toxic, so don’t let them eat dressing or stuffing that contains onions
- Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage
I know I’m stating the obvious but “try” not give your Pomeranian any “Human” food. The reputable food created for dogs is nutritious and contains no harmful items. Purchase some individual dog treats to give them when they start begging for what’s on your plate.