Here are some ways you can try to be sure to make this holiday season safe for your canine companions:

It is that time of year again.  During the hustle and bustle of the holidays we sometimes need to be reminded to keep our pets safe and happy.  Remember to make sure your dog has a nice quiet place to retreat to during the activities if he or she so chooses.  We all need a little peace now and then!

If you have a live Christmas tree do not forget to keep the water stand covered.  Pine sap mixed with water makes a poisonous drink for your dog.  If you use sugar in the water to help preserve the tree the taste could to enticing to resist.

Avoid decorating your tree with edibles such as strung popcorn and candy canes.  These items can prove to be just to tempting for even a good dog.  The same caution goes for wrapped food gifts left under the tree.

Be sure to pick up any ornament hooks, tinsel, ribbons, etc. which fall on the floor. Your dog could experience serious internal injuries if he ingests any of these items.  If your dog eats a glass ornament there is something you can do enroute to the veterinarian!  Have real cotton balls, not synthetic, and a carton of half and half at the ready in case of an ornament ingestion emergency.  If your dog has eaten a glass ornament, take the cotton balls and dip them in the half and half.  Then feed these unique ‘treats’ to your dog.  A Great Dane will require 5 – 8 tasty soaked cotton balls.  The theory is that the cotton balls will wrap around the glass shards as it passed through the dog’s digestive system and safely expel them on the way out.  Of course, always check with your veterinarian before you attempt this remedy.

If you have a puppy who is tempted to play with the ornaments on your tree, decorate the bottom third of the tree with non-breakable, plastic or wooden ornaments, or decorate only the top two-thirds of your tree.  Helps against happy tail strikes, too!

You might even want to secure your Christmas tree with some heavy gage fishing line tied to a hook in the ceiling or wall. This will at least help prevent the tree from toppling over should your dog accidentally knock it over.

Then if all else fails, surround your Christmas tree with an ex-pen!

In addition, if you decorate with indoor lights please make sure to keep cords secured so your dog cannot become entangled in them.  Also keep lit candles and menorahs well out of your dog’s reach.  Never leaves candles lit or holiday lights plugged in if you cannot be there to supervise.

Do not be tempted to feed your dog rich, fatty or spicy people food. Instead, add a bit of white meat or a little broth from holiday dinner to your dog’s meal.  Dogs can suffer a bout of pancreatitis when fed too many greasy, fatty table scraps such as turkey fat and skin.  See the link for more information on pancreatitis:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2103&aid=335

Some of the other foods which could cause problems include chocolate, onions, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, caffeine, alcoholic beverages, hops and uncooked dough (which can expand in the stomach).  These foods can be extremely hazardous to dogs!  Keep your veterinarian’s emergency phone number on hand just in case your dog sneaks any dangerous snacks.

Several popular holiday plants or their berries are poisonous to your dog.  Poinsettias, amaryllis, mistletoe and holly are a few to watch out for.  Confirm with your veterinarian or Poison Control center to find out what holiday plants and flowers you should keep out of your dog's reach.  View the following link for a list of toxic plants:

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc_toxicplants

And this link for contact information to Poison Control:

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc