when you treat your chihuahua just like a member of the family, you want them to be around for all the holiday festivities. of course, chihuahuas don’t understand the reason for the season quite like we do. to them, thanksgiving means lots of great smells, extra food, and people, which can be very overwhelming.
in order to keep them safe and happy, it’s important to remember a few simple tips. from using a dog fence to prevent kitchen accidents, to keeping table scraps out of their bowl, here are a few easy ways to ensure thanksgiving goes smoothly for you and your chihuahua.
keep your chihuahua out of the kitchen while cooking
did you know that kitchen accidents involving dogs are fairly common, and even more so during the holidays? the kitchen can be a dangerous place for your chihauhua, especially when activity is increased to prepare thanksgiving dinner.
if you want to keep your chihuahua away while you’re cooking, but don’t want to lock them in a room or crate, you can consider an indoor wireless dog fence as a barrier. this works well because when you use an invisible dog fence, your own path to and from the kitchen isn’t blocked by a gate you need to step over.
with you chihuahua out of the kitchen and out of harm’s way, you won’t worry about tripping and injuring them or yourself with hot food or sharp knives. cooking for thanksgiving is stressful enough without worry about accidents.
beware of what your chihauhua eats
once everyone sits down to enjoy thanksgiving dinner, you can bet your chihauhua will want to get in on the deliciousness, too. the safest bet, however, is to avoid feeding your chihuahua any of the meal, especially things they’ve never eaten before. new foods and overfeeding can cause a stomach ache for your chihuahua. fatty foods, especially turkey skin, can cause pancreatitis.
turkey bones can choke your dog or pierce their throat or insides. grapes, nuts, raisins, etc. can cause choking. the sugar substitute xylitol and chocolate are poisonous to dogs. a smart idea is to take the garbage out immediately after the meal, so your chihuahua can’t get into it later.
travel safe
if you opt to travel with your chihuahua this thanksgiving, be sure to do so safely. your chihuahua should wear a special dog harness or have a travel safe dog seat in the car. this protects them in accidents and prevents them from getting into the front and distracting the driver. a small crate works, too, if you don’t have a car harness.
when staying with relatives, inquire about their home and yard. for example, ask if they can provide a quiet space for your chihuahua, and find out if their yard is protected by a traditional fence or an electronic dog fence. if you own a portable electric fence for dogs and your chihuahua is trained on it, bring it with you. if you go to a house that isn’t dog-proof, look carefully for hazards, such as cleaning products or medications within reach.
give safety tips to your relatives
discuss your chihuahua’s safety with anyone you spend the holiday with so they can watch out for your chihuahua too. it’s easy to get distracted with all the hustle and bustle and your loved ones might notice your chihuahua acting funny before you do. ask them to inform you if they notice anything odd.
also, remind them not to feed your chihuahua any table scraps and not to leave their plates or drinks unattended. if young children are present, tell them that they shouldn’t hug, kiss, or chase your chihuahua. if you leave your chihuahua with relatives, make sure they have your vet’s phone number.
watch for environmental hazards
there are some additional environmental hazards that you should recognize. if you decorate for thanksgiving with things like corn stalks or pumpkins, keep them out of reach of your chihuahua. while they are nontoxic, your chihuahua could choke or get an intestinal blockage by eating large pieces.
lit candles are one of the biggest dangers; make sure your chihauhua can’t knock them over. if you’re plugging in any decorations, keep the cords hidden so your chihuahua won’t chew on them.
look out for stress signals from your chihuahua
finally, make sure you can recognize signs of stress in your chihauhua. chihuahuas are often stressed out by all the activity of the holidays, especially when there are a lot more people around than usual. if you think your chihauhua is getting stressed out, move them to a quiet area with toys, food, and plenty of water to allow them to relax for a bit.
signals to look for include:
- panting
- growling
- staring
- jumping
- pacing
- hiding
- cowering
- raised fur
- or showing the whites of their eyes
leaving a stressed chihuahua in the presence of children is a recipe for danger, so give your chihuahua the space and quiet they may need to de-stress from the holiday hubbub.
most of these ideas may seem like common sense, but it’s easy to forget or overlook things when there is already so much going on. thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for everything we have, so be sure to show your chihuahua how grateful you are for them, too, with lots of extra affection, attention, and love.
these turkey day tips come to us thanks to the ongoing educational efforts of www.dogfencediy.com; dog fence diy provides dog owners with options when trying to keep dogs contained without incurring the huge expense of installing a fence.
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