Trees, tinsel and treats, lots of presents and plenty of people - tis the festive season. Christmas is the best time of the year but it can all be a bit too much for our furry friends.

Some may not like changes to their routine and find the noise of friends and family and added chaos of the festive period overwhelming.

There are lots of festive hazards to think about, so here’s some top tips on how to make sure that your dog stays safe and happy during the Christmas period.

Dog Proofing a Christmas Tree

Something new and exciting has just appeared in the living room. Sparkly balls, lights, branches to chew at and even some boxes underneath: this must be the best new toy ever!

Christmas trees are made to be admired, but you can pretty much guarantee that your dog will be drawn to them. For some dogs, the initial novelty wears off very quickly, while for others it's viewed as one big potential plaything right through till January.

The tree, whether it's real or an artificial tree, and all those Christmas tree decorations are just so tempting! So how can you keep your festive furniture safe from its would-be playmate (and vice-versa)?

How to Dog-Proof a Christmas Tree?

• Use a weighted base or tie to a wall or ceiling. This will make the tree more secure and help prevent it from toppling over.
• Take care with electrical decorations. If chewed, the electrical wires connected to the lights pose a risk of electrocution, as well as strangulation if your dog gets into a tangle. So unplug the lights when you go out at night-time and keep electrical cables in pet-proof casing safely out of reach.
• Make sure plastic, ceramic and glass baubles are out of reach. They can cause nasty internal injuries if chewed and eaten, and there's also the risk of the entire tree coming down on your dog if they pull at them.
• No edible decorations. Your dog won't be able to resist them. Avoid chocolate or candy cane decorations as these are highly toxic to dogs.
• Consider installing a barrier between the tree and the dog. One option is to position it in the corner and place a fold-up dog gate around it. The tree is cordoned off, but everyone can still see it.
• Find the right Christmas light setting. If your dog seems worried and your fairy lights are on a flashing setting, switching to a constant setting should help calm them down.
• Vacuum up any pine needles as soon as possible. Dogs may eat these or get the sharp needles stuck in their paws. If you want a real Christmas tree, it's best to choose a non-drop variety.
• Keep Christmas Presents Away from Your Dog. Christmas presents under the tree, it's best not to leave them out if you want them intact the next day! Similarly, on Christmas Day, opened gifts could be targeted and ruined (and your pooch would be very unpopular). Extra care should also be taken if any presents contain batteries – if swallowed, contact your vet as soon as possible.

Christmas Decoration Essentials to Keep Your Dog Safe

• Keep all breakable decorations well out of your dog's reach. Glass shards can cause injury, and many snow globes contain anti-freeze, which is seriously toxic if swallowed.
• Be wary of tinsel. It can become twisted in the intestine if swallowed and can also pose a choking hazard.
• Be careful with Christmas plants, too. Many festive plants are poisonous to dogs. Keep plants like mistletoe, holly, ivy and poinsettias well out of harm's way.
• Never leave lit candles unattended. A swishing tail can very easily knock them over. As well as being a fire hazard, the flame and hot wax can cause burns to paws and noses. Battery-operated candles are much safer!
• Potpourri. If eaten, this may cause vomiting and diarrhoea. If potpourri suddenly appears in the home, there's a good chance your dog will want to investigate them, so keep it out of the way.

Wrapping and Decorating Around Your Dog

When decorations appear one after the other from their boxes, your dog is probably going to want to get involved. The same goes for the wrapping paper, sticky tape and scissors, which are out for wrapping up presents.

If you know your dog will want to join in on the action, it's probably safer and easier to do these jobs when they're busy with something else in another room or out on their walk with another family member.

How to Know if Your Dog is Stressed

When the whole crew is suddenly at the door, it can be a lot for your dog to deal with. If they bark more than usual whenever the doorbell sounds, if they are panting or pacing up and down, these are all signs that they're stressed out.

Preventing Christmas Stress in Your Dog

There are lots of exciting and different things happening at Christmas time. Many of these changes can make your pup anxious. So be prepared and plan by taking these steps:

• Take your dog for a long walk before the party starts. Your dog will be more relaxed after exercise and more likely to want to chill out on their bed.
• Set up a 'den' in a quieter part of the house. This may not be necessary for all dogs, but having a den or safe place is a good idea if your pooch is likely to get a bit stressed once people start arriving and making lots of noise.
• Kit the den out with their favourite toys, blanket, some extra bedding, their water bowl and maybe a treat or two. If everyone's hanging out in the kitchen and living room, set up the den in a room away from the action. That way, they can come and join the party when they feel like it, and then retreat for some downtime if things get overwhelming.

Looking After Your Dog with Christmas Visitors

Christmas can mean lots of young kids descending on the home, and the chances are, they're very excited to play with their furry friend. If your dog isn't used to children, they can become stressed very quickly.

Explain to your guests that they should be gentle and calm around your dog; otherwise, the dog will have to retreat to their 'safe place'. Even well-socialised pooches can reach a point when they've had enough!

Make sure new intros are supervised. Especially with little ones, always have someone responsible in the room to ensure the play doesn't get out of hand.

Christmas Food and Dogs

Eating and drinking is on the agenda for all of us. But your dog’s Christmas dinner should consist of their favourite thing from their regular diet list. Giving them something completely new might seem like a treat, but there’s a risk that it will disagree with them - and no-one wants to deal with an upset tummy on the big day.

Only feed your dog treats that are made for dogs. Some festive food, chocolate, sweets and alcohol are three of the biggest no-no’s on our list of human foods you shouldn’t share with your dog.

What Christmas Food is Poisonous to Dogs?

Nuts, onions, foods containing raisins and anything with artificial sweeteners must be avoided. So no Christmas pudding and mince pies. These foods can be harmful for dogs, even in small quantities, so don't give in to those big eyes and keep any tempting treats out of reach.

• Keep your dog well away from the turkey carcass! Cooked turkey bones can splinter easily, and this can cause serious internal damage.
• No titbits. The foods we traditionally eat at Christmas are very rich, and it's very easy for everyone to over-indulge at this time of year. Some vegetables, turkey, and salmon may be safe for dogs to eat in small quantities, but remember that unfamiliar foods can cause stomach upset.
• No alcohol. Make sure any unattended drinks are out of reach.

How to Make Your Pooch Happy at Christmas

We love Christmas because it's a welcome winter break from the same-old routine, but remember that your dog actually loves that routine.

So while you shouldn't pass up the chance to pamper your pooch, when it comes to the essentials like mealtimes and daily walks, make that extra effort to keep things as 'normal' as possible.

Watch out for any signs that your dog is becoming stressed – licking their lips, yawning, pacing or behaving oddly. If their body language tells you they're uncomfortable, let them go to their safe place for some time out. And if you think your dog has eaten something they shouldn't have, call your vet for advice.

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Additional content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis – www.vetlexicon.com/treat/canis 

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