But did you know that the holiday season and parties can be a bit stressful for your dog? Yes, that’s right. In fact, according to veterinarians, pet emergency calls increase by 12% during the holiday season, making it the busiest time of the year for them.   

Believe it or not, even the friendliest dogs can get nervous and uncomfortable during a raucous party. 

And that’s the reason why you must consider celebrating this year’s holiday season with a little extra pup management. This will help in keeping your four-legged friend well-behaved, happy, and, best of all, comfortable. 

Here are some things that can help in keeping your pooch safe and comfortable throughout the holiday season. Follow along to know more about it. 

• Pick a comfortable pet costume

Dressing up those cute little pups in costumes has been in trend now more than ever. And now that Halloween is right around the corner, you would also want to dress up your doggo in pretty costumes. 

But choosing the wrong ones can make your pooch feel uneasy, frustrated, and irritated. In fact, opting for a tight-fitted costume with fancy strings, belts and sashes can also lead to injuries and increase strangulation. 

So, it would be best if you opted for cute but breathable pet costumes for your pooch. Go for the one with a front velcro closure so that it is easy for your pup to walk around in a costume. 

The only thing you need to keep in mind with this is not to leave your pet unattended with his costume on. He might end up swallowing some of the parts of his costume, which in turn, could be life-threatening for him.

Also, don’t forget to put on his collar after putting on the costume, just in case. 

• Pet-proof your decorations

One of the best parts of the holiday season is putting on the decorations and beautifying your home with all those pretty lights, ribbons, wreaths, and ornaments. But while decking your halls, you might also want to keep your four-legged family member in mind. 

After all, you wouldn’t want to cut back on your holiday enthusiasm while taking an emergency trip to the vet’s office. Thus, it is extremely essential that you consider pet-proofing all your holiday decorations to avoid any potential emergencies. 

For instance, suppose you are planning to use tinsel to decorate your space. It is needless to say that they are extremely irresistible. 

And according to veterinarians, it is also one of the dangerous decorations for your pooch. When swallowed, it can get trapped into his intestines. Not to mention, your pup might even have to undergo costly surgery as a part of his treatment. 

Therefore, it would be best to go for decor items that are less enticing decor items. For this, you need to make sure that you place all the trinkets somewhere where they can’t reach easily. This is because dogs get tempted by looking at those pretty swirls, ribbons, and candles.

 These decoration items can either be eaten or knocked over, which escalates the chances of foreign body ingestion, electric shock, choking, and worst of all, burns.

So, decorate your space wisely. 

• Prep your dog before traveling

If you are planning to travel with your pooch, then you need to make sure that you and your pooch are well-prepared for it. Your first step towards it would be to talk to your host and ask about their holiday plans. You would also need to talk about how your furry member can or cannot be incorporated during the celebrations. 

See, every household has its own expectations and rules when it comes to pets. And if your pet is accompanying you, it is always beneficial to know about those rules and expectations way in advance. 

For instance, ask your host if it is okay with them if your dog jumps on the furniture. Or will there be any other animals at the party that might intimidate your pet?

You must also talk to your host if all their guests are comfortable with having a dog around. 

Once your host confirms their household rules and everything else you need to know about taking your pet with you, it is time to start training your pooch. 

For instance, Suppose you find out that your host is expecting other dogs as well at their party. In that case, you need to be realistic and honest about your dog’s social behavior. If your dog feels shy or nervous around other dogs, then it wouldn’t probably be a good idea to take him with you. 

• Bring in dog-friendly treats

It is needless to say that candies and chocolates are actually not good for your pooch. This is because they contain chocolate and xylitol, a sweetener, and both have been proved extremely toxic for pets. 

In fact, tempting as they may be but lollipops can be a choking hazard for your pup and can even cause painful obstructions. Not to mention, the plastic and packaging can cause an upset stomach and even choking. 

And with the holiday cheer and availability of such treats in abundance, your four-legged friend may end up consuming some. To avoid accidental toxicity and prevent ingestion, you can use the easy solutions mentioned below. 

• Keep your dog treats handy to satisfy your pet’s curiosity. 

• Ensure all the candy jars and chocolate bars are always out of your pet’s sight and reach. 

• Consider having a separate space for all your treats to minimize exposure to the stuff that can be hazardous for your pet. 

In the end, 

Lastly, you must also keep in mind that the holiday season is not the ideal time to let your pet wander outside the home unattended. 

This is because, amidst all the hustle and bustle of the festivities, your pet might get lost in the crowd. And the last thing you would want to do this holiday season would be to organize a search party for your pooch. 

So, use these tips mentioned above to keep your pup happy, safe and comfortable this holiday season.