Even as humans stay home for the holidays, the house itself can undergo major changes that are often extra tempting for dogs: decorations. Here’s our guide for what to watch out for:

Christmas Trees:
Christmas trees can be the star of the show in terms of holiday decoration, however, this new addition can often attract extra attention from pets. If you opt for a real live tree, make sure your dog is kept away from the tree’s water. Aside from pesticides and chemicals, pines release sap into the water that is toxic to dogs. Also, our pups can be notoriously clumsy. If given the chance, they may knock down the entire tree, potentially hurting themselves and your favorite ornaments. Dogs, steer clear.

Lights:
A tangled mess waiting to happen! Dogs are attracted to sparkly, flashy, fun decorations just like we are. Be sure to keep the pups away so they don’t get caught in or knock down any electric decorations as this could be dangerous. Also, make sure they aren’t sneak snacking on any shiny plastics or tinsel.

Candles:
As many Jewish dog owners learned during Hanukkah this year, even the smallest candles are still an open flame! Make sure any candles remain supervised and are out of reach of puppies.

Chocolate:
We all know about the dangers of chocolate. Even so, accidents happen. Make sure to remind Santa that you have a pup to worry about so he can be mindful of where he leaves any extra cookies and what he puts in low-hanging stockings. This way your dog won’t be tempted to join the naughty list.

Poinsettia:
One of the most popular winter plants is also one of the most dangerous for pets. Poinsettia, while beautiful, are extremely poisonous to both dogs AND cats and can even be deadly.

Table Scraps:
Our sneaky puppies love to eat anything that touches the ground. While it is important to be careful not to accidentally feed them anything that could be harmful such as grapes, onions, or lessor known foods harmful to dogs, it is also good to avoid overfeeding them any made-for-people treats that could upset their stomachs.

If your dog is on the naughty list and can’t be trusted around extra temptation, bring them to Downtown Dogs for daycare or boarding. It will be a holiday treat for them and some peace of mind for your family. If things do get messy, Dog’s Day Out offers DIY bathing and full-serve bathing and grooming.

Downtown Dogs and Dog’s Day Out are closed on Christmas Day and open with regular hours on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.