Protect your vacation home from dogs

By SecretWuff 10 Min Read

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Thanksgiving is a celebration that brings together family and friends.

And with it just around the corner, your home is likely to have more activity and visitors. But dogs and Thanksgiving don’t go together very well. Because this holiday can pose serious danger to our furry friends.

So while Thanksgiving brings festivities, it’s important to take precautions to ensure your dog’s safety and safety. Fuman You can still enjoy the holidays.

Lightfield Studio / Shutterstock.com

If you’re a dog parent and looking for the best way to ensure your dog has a happy and safe Thanksgiving, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we will discuss the best ways to protect your home from dogs while on vacation. From food safety to escape prevention, creating safe spaces, and ensuring safe guest interactions, we’ve got you covered.

Dogs and Thanksgiving: 5 ways to protect your home from dogs

for us FumanThanksgiving means enjoying fun, food-filled activities with family and friends.

But for our furry friends, that can mean lots of loud noises, unfamiliar faces, and potential health risks.

So while you’re busy preparing and celebrating Thanksgiving, don’t forget to consider your dog’s needs.

Without further ado, here are five ways to dog-proof your home this holiday season.

1. Keep hazardous food out of reach

dogs and thanksgiving food
ilona.shorokhova / Shutterstock.com

We believe that one of the main reasons why dogs and Thanksgiving don’t go well is the delicious yet dangerous foods that are easily available to dogs during the celebration.

As a responsible dog owner, it’s essential to be aware of Thanksgiving foods that may pose a risk to your dog. Here are a few:

  • turkey skin
  • cooked turkey bones
  • stuffing
  • ham
  • gravy
  • nuts
  • cranberry sauce
  • nutmeg
  • corn cob

But this doesn’t mean your dog can’t enjoy Thanksgiving. can give Snack on some Thanksgiving food Such as turkey meat (boneless and skinless), unseasoned vegetables such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, green beans, and peas.

Or, if you really want your dog to join in on the festivities, you can make homemade dog treats using fall season staples.

Here are some helpful tips on how to keep Thanksgiving food hazards out of your dog’s nose and reach.

  • Clean areas used for food preparation immediately. Dogs love to smell leftover food wherever their noses can reach it.
  • Similarly, keep the counter clear of food for the same reasons listed above.
  • Store food safely where your dog cannot reach or easily open it. These include closed cupboards, drawers and food containers with locking lids.
  • Protect your trash can and ensure its safety. During Thanksgiving festivities, trash cans become a treasure trove of leftover food for dogs. Always place leftover food in tightly sealed trash bags and always keep trash can lids closed.

2. Protect your dog from jewelry

When we think of dogs and the dangers of Thanksgiving, we always think of food. But while decorations help everyone get into the holiday spirit, did you know they can pose a threat to your furry friends?

Thanksgiving decorations that can be a threat to dogs include:

  • Scented candles: These make your home smell nice, but they can be very dangerous if your dog knocks them down.
  • String lights and electric cord: String lights can help set the tone for Thanksgiving, but dogs may be tempted to chew on them. Therefore, if you must use them, place them strategically around your home along with electrical cords to prevent them from chewing.
  • Decorative plants and flowers: Not all indoor and decorative plants are safe for dogs. Also, some popular ornamental plants and flowers, such as ferns, hydrangeas, and baby’s breath, are toxic to dogs. If you’re looking for plants and flowers to decorate your home, make sure they’re dog-friendly.

3. Create a safe space for your dog

French bulldog with teddy bear in bed
Patrick Kosmider/Shutterstock.com

From the preparations to the actual celebration, Thanksgiving is a busy time. And all of these can be overwhelming and stressful for your dog.

Here are some common signs that your dog is feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious about a situation or environment.

  • tuck tail
  • pinned ears
  • lick your lips
  • excessive panting
  • gasp
  • drool
  • growling or whining

Understand and be able to recognize the signs of stress in your dog so you know when to remove your dog from a stressful environment.

That’s why it’s important to create a safe space for your dog. It’s a place you can go to when you’re feeling anxious, stressed, or starting to feel overwhelmed by the people and noise in your house during the festival.

Ideally, this space should be away from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, dining table, and even the living room where all your guests gather.

In addition, to ensure that the space is familiar, comfortable, and calm for your dog, you will need the following amenities:

  • Beds and crates for your dog
  • their favorite blanket
  • their favorite toy
  • Snacks to chew (to relieve anxiety)
  • enough water and food
  • soothing music

Make sure your dog is aware of this safe area and has easy access to it during the festivities.

4. Prevent escape

meaning of thanksgiving Make lots of changes to your dogAs a result, you feel stressed. It also means a lot of guests coming in and out of the front door It’s a recipe for disaster when your dog runs away from home and gets lost.

Apart from stress, some dogs are natural escape artists. So, to make sure your furry friend doesn’t run away, here are some tips to help you avoid running away during the festivities.

  • Install baby gates at the front and back entrances. However, these can also help keep your dog away from the kitchen.
  • Microchip your dog (if you haven’t already done so).
  • If your dog is microchipped, make sure that information is up to date.
  • Please include up-to-date information on your dog’s collar.
  • Use a favorite toy or treat to distract him. These items may help children stop running away and calm down.
  • please believe the words “A tired dog is a good dog” And exercise your dog (or have someone else exercise it for you) before the festivities. That way, you’ll be calmer when people arrive, and you might be able to leave work early that night after greeting guests.

5. Ensure safe interactions with guests

High angle view of golden retriever near family with glasses of white wine during Thanksgiving dinner
Lightfield Studio / Shutterstock.com

As responsible dog parents celebrating Thanksgiving with our loved ones, we want to keep our dogs safe and our guests happy.

To ensure this, it’s important to let your guests know you have a dog in your home and set ground rules for when your dog will be at your home to celebrate the holidays.

Here are some ways to prepare your home for guests and ensure they interact with your dog.

  • Please let your guests know in advance that you have a dog in your home. They may be allergic to or afraid of dogs.
  • Remind your guests to keep the door closed at all times to prevent your dog from escaping.
  • Always encourage guests to protect their food and drinks. Additionally, tell your dog not to give table scraps to your dog under any circumstances.
  • If you bring children with you, be sure to supervise all interactions between the dog and your children.
  • Guests are advised to avoid rough play as this can be dangerous, especially if children are nearby.

If at any time your dog shows signs of stress or anxiety, it is in everyone’s best interest for you to escort your dog to a safe location.

conclusion

Happy family eating dinner at a festive table on thanksgiving day
Pixel Shot / Shutterstock.com

Dog-proofing your home before the Thanksgiving hustle and bustle begins will ensure that everyone, including your dog, has a happy, safe, and enjoyable holiday.

Additionally, this will also help you show how grateful you are to be a dog parent to your furry friend who only makes your daily life better.

Do you have any tips for other dog parents on how to protect themselves from dogs this Thanksgiving? Share them in the comments below!

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