Five Dog Safety Hazards to Look Out for on Turkey Day.

There are so many dangers to dogs lurking out there in the world, but as long as you take simple precautions, there’s no reason to stress or worry about them constantly. For example, using the best dog fence possible in your yard eliminates the danger of your dog running away from home. And as long as you keep your dog up-to-date on their vaccinations, you can rest easy when it comes to the vast majority of communicable diseases. When Thanksgiving comes around each year, there are usually a few extra safety hazards to look out for. Here’s what to be extra cautious of during the holiday and how to avoid any related accidents, injuries, or illnesses.

Unhealthy Table Scraps

Perhaps the best part of the day for us on Thanksgiving is indulging in a delicious feast with all our loved ones. However, while the meal may smell delicious to your dog, it can actually be quite dangerous. As tempting as it is, try to resist all urges to allow your dog to partake in the meal, too. Too much turkey skin can cause pancreatitis in your dog. Turkey bones can cause choking or pierce your dog’s throat or intestines. Onions, coffee, and tea are dangerous to dogs, and chocolate, xylitol, and alcohol are toxic to them. Instead, consider buying some special dog treats for the occasion. After eating, make sure all garbage, especially the turkey carcass, is secured in an outdoor trash bin that your dog can’t access. Remind relatives not to leave their plates unattended and ask them not to feed your dog anything.

Serious Kitchen Accidents

With everything going on in the kitchen and all the delicious smells coming from it, it’s natural for your dog to want to be where the action is. However, your dog can injure themselves or others by inadvertently causing someone to trip, or just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Boiling liquids, sharp knives, and hot stoves are just some of the dangers, so do not let your dog in the kitchen on Thanksgiving. Place them in a closed room with plenty of water and toys. If your dog is trained on an electric dog fence, you can also use a wireless dog fence as a kitchen barrier. This tends to work very well and much better than a baby gate, because you and your guests don’t have to worry about stepping over a barricade to get to the kitchen.

Dangerous Decorations

Decorating your home is a fun activity for the holidays, but it’s important to keep in mind a few safety tips. If your dog likes to chew on electrical wires, then any light up decorations must be placed with caution, so that the cords are hidden or covered. Candles should never be lit if they’re in a place your dog can reach; always place lit candles on a high shelf. Corn stalks and pumpkins are festive, but your dog may be inclined to chew on them, so it’s best to place them out-of-reach. While they’re nontoxic, chunks of pumpkin or corn can choke your dog or cause intestinal blockages. When you’re visiting loved ones, keep an eye out for these types of dangers in their homes as well, and keep a close eye on your dog.

Travel Concerns

If you’re taking a road trip with your dog this holiday season, make sure you’re prepared by bringing a few extra doggie items for the car emergency kit. Always keep an extra collar and leash, plenty of water and food, and your dog’s vaccination records in the car. While the car is moving, your dog should be wearing a dog seatbelt or harness, or they should be in their crate so they can’t distract the driver by moving freely about the car. If your dog has a wired dog fence at home, consider bringing along a portable invisible dog fence so you can create a safe area for your dog to roam wherever you are, such as at a relative’s house, a hotel, or a rest stop.

Stressful Situations

Just like people, dogs can get stressed out in different situations, especially when there’s an increased amount of activity and noise. The holidays aren’t nearly as fun for your dog as they are for you, so it’s essential to keep watch over your dog and know how to recognize signs that they’re getting too stressed out. Dogs show stress by growling, panting, staring, hiding, cowering, jumping, showing the whites of their eyes, or having raised fur. If your dog is acting at all unusual, they may be stressed, too. Take your dog to a dark, quiet room, and give them lots of water, so they can de-stress. If your dog isn’t allowed to rest, they may become sick or aggressive. Ask your relatives to notify you if they notice any strange behavior, too.

When you love your dog as an important member of your family, it’s second nature to keep their best interests at the forefront of your mind. However, with all the excitement and business of the holidays, it’s also easy to overlook seemingly small safety hazards. As long as you keep these safety hazards in mind, you and your dog should make it through Thanksgiving without any notable incidents. Enjoy the day with your loved ones, and Happy Turkey Day!

These Thanksgiving safety tips come to us thanks to the ongoing educational efforts of www.dogfencediy.com; Dog Fence DIY has helped thousands of rescue organizations by providing the most comprehensive adoption, dog health and dog containment guides.