Decking the halls with boughs of holly? Baking a big batch of gingerbread cookies? All these festivities are part of what makes the holidays so special…but they’re filled with hidden hazards for your furbaby. Here’s what to watch out for, and how to keep your pup out of harm’s way this holiday season!

Keep Festive Foods Out of Reach

‘Tis the season for spreading peace, joy, and endless snacks for your loved ones. You might be tempted to indulge your pup with a bite of your hooman delicacies — but many festive foods are dangerous to dogs, and could even be deadly! 

Sweet Treats

If you’re snuggling on the sofa with a box of chocolates, keep them out of your furry friend’s reach; chocolate is toxic to dogs, and can cause serious illness even in tiny amounts. The same goes for gingerbread and eggnog, which are full of dangerous nutmeg, and fruitcakes containing currants or raisins, which could cause kidney failure.

⚠️ Here’s a selection of sweet holiday ingredients that are not safe for dogs:

• Chocolate
• Nutmeg
• Allspice
• Cloves
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Currants
• Xylitol, an artificial sweetener often found in peppermint candies

If you still want to share some holiday sweets with your precious pup, give them a segment of orange, clementine, or tangerine, a few unsweetened dried cranberries, or a tiny nibble of a dessert containing cinnamon, ginger, or anise. These are only safe in moderation, though; when in doubt, skip the hooman food altogether and stick with treats designed for dogs!

Savory Scraps

After a delicious turkey dinner, you might be tempted to throw your dog a bone. But cooked bones can easily splinter, leading to choking and painful internal damage! Any meat you feed your pup should be shredded and boneless. 

Another no-no from the festive table? Anything containing alliums, such as onions, garlic, chives, and leeks, which are highly toxic to dogs. All of these are typically found in gravy, stuffing, and festive seasoning — so stay on high alert, and stop any well-meaning family members from slipping your pup a dangerous nibble.

⚠️ Here are some savory holiday ingredients that your precious pup should never ingest:

• Most tree nuts, especially macadamias and pistachios
• Cooked bones
• Alliums: onions, garlic, chives, leeks, shallots, and scallions
• Many herbs, including flat-leafed parsley, marjoram, oregano, and bay leaves
• Turkey skin
• Ham, bacon, and pork, which could cause life-threatening pancreatitis
• Raw dough containing yeast
• Coffee and caffeinated tea
• Alcohol

The good news: it’s fine to treat your furbaby to some skinless, boneless cooked turkey, a delicious dinner roll, or a small serving of cooked chestnuts or unseasoned vegetables!

It’s easy to supervise your pup’s appetite when you’re right there in the kitchen. But what if you’re busy in another room, or you need to step out to run some holiday errands? That’s where the Furbo 360° Dog Camera can help! With Furbo’s innovative Real-time 2-Way Audio and Treat Tossing features, you can avoid problems all season long; if you spot your pup wandering off to scavenge in the kitchen, stop them in their tracks by calling their name and sending them a safe snack to distract them. And if your dog still gets into something they shouldn’t, Furbo Dog Nanny’s AI-powered Smart Alerts, including a Vomit Alert, will let you know that it’s time to call the vet. 

Pup-Proof Your Holiday Tree

If you’re rocking a-hound the festive tree, it’s important to be aware of the dangers! After you’ve had your tree for a few days, a pile of pine needles will show up around its base. These might strike your pup as a tasty snack, but the oils they produce will cause stomach problems and mouth irritation. Plus, pine needles are sharp enough to get stuck in your dog’s delicate paws. Make sure to supervise your precious pup at all times around the tree, and vacuum up any pine needles right away.

🎄Pro tip: You can avoid this issue altogether by getting an artificial tree. But, if that’s not an option, cut down on the danger by choosing a non-shedding tree, like a Nordmann fir. 

Decorations on the tree can pose problems too. Your furbaby might mistake your ornaments for tempting toys, and end up standing in a pile of dangerous broken glass! Meanwhile, homemade salt dough ornaments will strike your pup as an irresistible snack…and promptly lead to salt poisoning. Opt for shatterproof or fabric ornaments whenever possible. And never deck your tree with popcorn or cranberry garlands; your dog will chow right down, and could end up choking on the string.

Finally, consider anchoring your tree to the wall or ceiling. That way, your curious pupper won’t be able to bring the whole thing crashing to the ground!

You can’t always keep an eye on your furbaby all season long. That’s why the Furbo 360° Dog Camera’s Auto Dog Tracking feature helps you watch over your pup no matter where you are! Plus, with Furbo’s Breaking Glass Alert, you’ll even find out if your furbaby has gotten a little too curious about your ornaments, so you can intervene before any soft paws or sensitive noses get injured.

Watch Out for Dangerous Decorations

Decking the halls with tinsel, ribbons, and twinkling lights is all part of the festive magic for us hoomans. But many decorations come with a strict paws-off policy, and need to be kept far away from sniffing noses and wagging tails. 

Given the chance, an opportunistic pooch will chomp down on anything that catches their eye…often with disastrous results. For example, biting down on strings of lights could lead to electrocution. Meanwhile, tinsel — or, as your pup sees it, sparkly spaghetti — can cause digestive obstructions and intestinal tears, while ribbons and bows used for wrapping gifts may cause dangerous blockages when swallowed. 

⚠️ Here’s a quick rundown of items to keep out of reach:

• Lit candles
• String lights
• Gift-wrapping supplies, including scissors, ribbons, and bows
• Tinsel
• Artificial snow, sometimes known as “flocking,” which is mildly toxic and can cause intestinal blockages

For pawrents who love to decorate with festive plants, it’s important to be aware that most of the traditional options are dangerous for dogs. Use artificial wreaths, sprigs, and garlands whenever possible.

⚠️ Here are some holiday plants you should never let your pup nibble: 

• Mistletoe
• Ivy
• Holly
• Poinsettias
• Amaryllis
• Lilies
• Yew
• Pinecones, which can cause choking and intestinal blockages

What if, despite your best efforts, your pup chomps down on something dangerous? Furbo’s Dog Activity Alert and Chewing Alert will let you know what’s going on, so that you can take action right away!

Santa Paws is Coming to Town

The holidays may be full of hazards for our furry friends — but, with a little care and attention, loving pawrents can keep their puppers’ days merry and bright. Furbo’s cutting-edge features and life-saving Smart Alerts are here to help your dog stay safe and happy this winter, and all year round! 

Furbo wishes you and your dog a wonderful festive season, and a yappy new year!

Grab a Furbo 360° Dog Camera to keep your dog safe and happy over the pawlidays. 🐶🎄