When it comes to the most beautiful time of year, there’s nothing nicer than thinking of kicking back and relaxing…until you find your dog chewing on your Christmas candy or your cat tangled up in the Christmas tree lights. Makes it that important to ensure you’re having a safe Christmas as much as a fun one. So with here are a couple of Christmas safety tips to stay on top of your celebrations – while also keeping your buddies safe and healthy.

cat

Find out where your cat spends their time.

 Read more

Our top pet safety tips: Christmas edition

Christmas might be a time of joy, laughter, and togetherness for you and your family. But for your pets at home? Here’s how it might seem to them:

  • A house full of odd, scary noises (like fireworks, loud music, unfamiliar voices, or even worse, firecrackers)
  • Unfamiliar objects around the house (like your Christmas tree)
  • A house full of strangers (or your guests) wanting to interact with them
  • Bowls full of tempting, delicious-smelling food everywhere (many of which can be toxic to both dogs and cats)
  • A house door that’s constantly opening and closing (triggering their curiosity and maybe an escape attempt)

With all these factors in your home environment alone, it’s no surprise most dogs and cats might be spooked or stressed out around the holiday time. So here are a couple of pet safety tips to help you ensure your furry friends can join in on the holiday fun. (And avoid a trip to the vet emergency room.)

Mind the food bowls

Dogs aren’t picky eaters – and in some cases, (like if you’ve just adopted one), neither are cats! Most Christmas candy contains chocolate and xylitol, both substances that are toxic to both. Other common fruits, veggies, and “human foods” in your kitchen might just end up with you taking them to the hospital. (And not enjoying Christmas even warm and safe at home.)

So before you start your Christmas meal prep, make sure to stay informed on:

And once you’re in the know, make sure to brief your friends, family, and followers too. You might have a younger guest trying to sneak some unwanted veggies off their plate – and into the pet food bowl. Or you might have an older relative try and feed them alcohol as a joke. Which might seem funny, until it ends up with your dog or cat at a vet’s clinic.

💡Make sure to feed your pet their regular meals a bit in advance before your guests arrive. So they’ll be less likely to sniff around or be curious about what new meals you’re cooking. And if your dog or cat is in the habit of begging for food, stay on top of this behavior by keeping them occupied with playtime or a puzzle toy.

Avoid loud fireworks or firecrackers

Fireworks can be one of the scariest, most overwhelming experiences for dogs and cats both. Dogs especially are vulnerable to noise anxiety. Which might even trigger an escape attempt – or why more dogs go missing around the 4th of July than any other time of year. So keep your fireworks on the low-key side – try and go for smaller sparklers instead that don’t make loud, scary noises for your pet. Else, you’ll be more likely to see your dog bolting out the door – or your cat running off to hide somewhere safe.

Keep your pets healthy & safe

Get real-time location information, wherever they go. See how much – or how little – activity they’re getting. And get Health Alerts if something might be wrong.

Get Tractive

Pick pet-friendly decor

Glittery Christmas decorations, dangling, sparkling ornaments and shiny candles can be too much for a pet to resist. For example, they might trigger your cat’s hunting instinct – and get them to leap at it, thinking it’s “prey”, and then get tangled in it. So keep your Christmas lights and ornaments well out of reach. The same applies for burning candles. (You never know where a wagging tail might end up!)

Secure your tree by attaching it to wall or a window with string. An active dog can easily knock it over by accident. Likewise, don’t hang Christmas lights on your tree’s lower branches. Your pet may chew the wires from these lights, which might electrocute them by accident. Larger lights can also become quite hot, which might cause burns. Also make sure you unplug any Christmas lights when you’re not home. You always want to avoid a pet snagging a paw or biting them by accident when you’re not around to intervene.

Try and avoid fragile, easily breakable Christmas ornaments. They might hurt your pet’s paws if they step on them. Your dog or cat might even choke on a fragment if swallowed by accident. In fact, it’s a good idea to keep your dog or cat occupied elsewhere as you decorate. You want to avoid creating too much of a “positive” experience around your Christmas decor when your pet’s around.

💡Training your pet the “Drop it” command can help them learn what objects are off limits. Similarly, dogs are capable of learning more than 100 words – while cats can recognize them by your tone of voice and body language too!1

Watch your Christmas wrapping materials

If a curious puppy or kitten decides to take a bite out of wrapping paper, ribbon, string, plastic, or cloth – it might just end up causing an intestinal blockage if they swallow it. Keep your scissors and glue far away as well. Glue is extremely toxic to pets and might cause poisoning if swallowed. Likewise, keep your presents off floors or low tables. (Aka, pet-swatting height.) Rather, store them in a safe place your pet knows is “off-limits”, like your bedroom. And finally, besides gift wrapping material, don’t forget any candy wrappers. Make sure to throw them away before your pets get to them. (Since they can cause choking.)

Set up a comforting home environment

Create a safe space with their bedding and favorite toys a little away from your Christmas festivities. Leave them some treats or food puzzles to stay occupied. Consider leaving your pet a shirt or a piece of cloth with your scent. It can help them relax better, knowing you’re nearby. Check up on them periodically to both spend some time together – and also to make sure they haven’t escaped somewhere.

Go for a comfy costume (if at all)

If you’ve got your heart set on a pet-themed Christmas this year, go for simple, breathable, easy to shrug off costumes. Struggling with an ill-fitting costume can cause your dog or cat to choke, overheat, or breathe less easily. That’s why the RSPCA recommends supervising pets in costumes, even if they seem normal.2

Be mindful of outdoor time

Much before the Christmas party, it’s a good idea to tire out your dog or cat with a long walk or vigorous playtime. A tired pet is less likely to get up to mischief and more likely to sleep off the festivities.

At the same time, be mindful of the great outdoors. Both dogs and cats can safely withstand cold temperatures – but be sure to protect their paws and dress warmly. Consider equipping your pet with a colorful, high-visibility harness. So that other drivers or pet walkers can more easily see them in the dark winter evenings. Also keep an eye out for any leftover Christmas candy littering your pavements. If you’ve got a dog on a “see food” diet (aka, they see food and eat it), they might sneakily grab a bite when you’re not looking.

Tractive pet trackers come with a built-in LED light you can trigger to find your pet easily in the dark:

Dog wearing TG6 with lights on
Dog wearing TG6 with lights on

Discover Tractive GPS

Don’t leave your pet alone (even while on holiday)

Leaving your pet alone at home over the holidays increases their risk of engaging in destructive behaviors. They’re also in danger of being kidnapped by pet thieves, over the holidays. According to the Kennel Club, there were nearly 2400 cases of dog theft in 2020 – a 7% increase since 2019.3 Similarly, the 2021 Cat Theft report indicates that cats’ risk of pet theft has tripled over the last 5 years.

So always plan your Christmas break with a backup for your pets. Get a friend, neighbor, or dog sitter to check up on them periodically. Or drop them over at a loved one’s place or a pet boarding service, where they’ll be taken care of. Better yet, try and plan your winter holiday with your dog or cat coming along! Many popular winter holiday destinations like Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are also pet-friendly.

Plan ahead for an escape attempt

Even during Christmas, your pet might run away to explore outdoors because of the constant foot traffic by the door. Or they might bolt the yard out of boredom, extra energy, their hunting or mating instincts, or even due to fear.

In times like these, tracking your pets in real-time – and over an unlimited range – can be a lifesaver. It’s how Tractive pet parents around the world are keeping their buddies safe by tracking their location and following their every step.

A cat wearing a Tractive GPS tracker

With just a glance at your phone (and your Tractive device strapped to their harness or collar), you can:

  • Track your pets in real-time.
    With LIVE tracking, you can follow your pet’s every step – as they make their every step. Just switch to LIVE mode via your phone and track them right away if they’ve disappeared. Unlike an AirTag, your Tractive device doesn’t need a network of compatible devices to work. Nor are they limited to any range.
  • Pick up earlier on an escape attempt.
    From your Tractive mobile app, you can set up a “safe zone” around your home and backyard. Now if your pet sneaks past it, you’ll get an escape alert to your phone.

What’s more, your Tractive device can also help you figure out if your dog’s barking more than usual – or showing any signs of restlessness or anxiety.

Separation Anxiety monitoring data on the Tractive mobile app

Read more: Tractive reviews on Trustpilot

Discover Tractive GPS

In the end, the secret to a stress-free and truly merry Christmas with your pets is just a little bit of planning. You’ve got this! Just remember the key points:

  • Keep the toxic treats locked away,
  • Make sure your sparkling decorations are secure,
  • Go for a comfortable costume (if at all),
  • and set up a cozy indoor ‘chill zone’ for when the party gets a little too loud.

Doing these small things means less drama for everyone. No emergency dashes to the vet, no running after a runaway dog or cat. Instead, you can just relax, enjoy the season, and cherish all those wonderful, snuggled-up moments with your furry family member. Merry Christmas and enjoy the holiday season!