How to Keep Your Pets Safe During the Holidays
- Rachel Velarde
- Dec, 02, 2020
- Dog Inspiration, Overall Wellness, Pet Safety
- No Comments.

Typically, the holiday season is the time of year we gather the most with family and friends and sometimes, our fur friends accompany us in the festivities. We all want to have fun and be merry, but we also want everyone safe including our pets. Nothing can spoil holiday cheer like an emergency visit to a veterinary clinic. As claimed by many veterinarians, the holiday season is one of the most dangerous times of the year for pets! Listed below we have provided recommendations and tips you can take to ensure your pet is safe, feels loved and has fun during this wonderful time of year:
Train & Don’t Complain
Our pets rely on us for learning and knowing what behaviors are acceptable and which ones are not. Also, try to stick to your dog’s daily routine – walks, feeding, playtime. Dogs like routine, and to deviate from their normal routine will cause stress. Barking, digging, jumping up, begging for food, etc are all normal pet behaviors, but for most people and guests, few find them enjoyable. House guests typically set your pet off to do mischievous things, and even the best trained dogs need some refreshing when it comes to their manners. Basic obedience training can help keep your pet safe and happy, as well as in good standing with your party guests this holiday season.

Pet Proof
For example, if your dog is a well known counter-surfer, consider baby-gating him/her out of the kitchen when preparing the holiday feast. When guests arrive and your pet just can’t seem to help themselves with food, make a comfortable area for them away from guests to ensure everyone is safe and happy. If your pet has anxiety or just becomes stressed during this hectic season, CBD oil is a holistic alternative to any prescription medication for stress. Give your dog something else to do rather than letting him/her become unemployed and getting into trouble. A peanut butter or kibble filled KONG is a great idea and activity that will keep their bellies full and senses occupied. Along with this, make sure to check in on them in between the chaos and entertainment and give them some TLC and remind them they are safe. Another tip is to make sure your pet has the proper identification on them in the event they escape or get lost. Keep all doors closed and If you know your pet is one to bolt, at least keep them secured while everyone is arriving.

Respect All Species
Avoid forcing your dog on non-dog people, and don’t let guests force themselves on your dog. And don’t expect others to enjoy the same type of interaction with your dog as you do. Some people may have traumatic pasts with animals and simply just fear your pet. In contrast, if there are children or people who are a little too confident with your dog, set clear ground rules for how your dog is to be treated and if necessary, politely remove your dog from the situation if guests are unable or unwilling to follow them. Watch your dog closely for signs that he’s uncomfortable, such as yawning, lip-licking, turning away, shaking, wide eyed or simply trying to get away from the situation. Lastly, if you know your dog has fear or aggression issues, guarantee success by completely avoiding interactions that can trigger unwanted or unsafe behavior. It’s better to safely confine a dog away from the party than to risk a bite or sabotage training progress.

Decorations or Disaster?
Be mindful of holiday decorations. Strings of lights, breakable ornaments, poisonous plants, and glowing candles can attract curious pets. Management and supervision is a must during the holiday season.
- Keep your dog away from holiday plants as many of these are poisonous.
- If you put up a tree, consider securing it so it doesn’t fall over on them. Always keep supervision on them when around a tree.
- Don’t let your dog chew on the tree. Eating needles can irritate a dog’s mouth and digestive tract.
- If your pet (dogs and cats) likes to play with ornaments on the tree, decorate the bottom third of the tree with ornaments that won’t break.
- Don’t leave the lights on or wires plugged in when you’re not home.
- Make sure you pick up all the tinsel, ornament hooks, etc. from the floor.
- If you have a real tree, make sure the water bowl is covered so you dog can’t drink from it in case there’s any pine sap, bacteria, fertilizers or other toxic chemicals in the bowl.
- Keep all gifts that contain food, chemicals, and batteries off the floor and away from your dog.
- Choose gifts for your dog that are safe and non-toxic.

Leave the Leftovers
Rich, fatty foods can cause stomach problems varying from a simple tummy upset to more serious, pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas resulting in pain, vomiting, and dehydration. Dogs with this serious condition usually require hospitalization for treatment. Let your guests know to refrain from feeding table scraps and be sure to pet-proof the garbage. Be especially mindful of any cooked bones or foods that are toxic to dogs-avocados, grapes, spices, yeast dough, chocolate, raisins, coffee, candy, gum, baked goods, onions, garlic, alcohol. So basically, If it’s not dog food don’t feed it to them! Keep your local emergency vet’s phone number handy, along with driving directions just In case.

Holiday festivities can become hectic, but don’t forget to relax and spend quality time with your family, friends and pets! And one last thing, PLEASE avoid giving a pet as a holiday gift. The holidays are not ideal for introducing a new pet into a family. New pets require a stable environment and plenty of extra attention and time to bond with their new family. Researching and making sure a pet is the right choice for your home and anyone in it beforehand, is a must. Remember, pets are a LIFELONG commitment, responsibility and privilege. Soon after the holiday season, is the time animal shelters are most full, due to people committing to an animal and then changing their mind. And if you are considering a new pet for the holidays ADOPT ADOPT ADOPT! Please don’t ever think going to a puppy store is the answer. Most of the animals in pet stores are from puppy mills, sickly and have orthopedic issues early in life. There are so many animals in shelters that need homes, so open your heart to saving a soul before buying one.

About Dip’ n Dogs Hydrotherapy – Orlando, FL
At Dip’n Dogs Hydrotherapy, we are certified and caring professionals devoted to restoring and enhancing the health and happiness of your beloved pup. Encompassing a pool, as well as a certified hydrotherapist, this can provide effective and long lasting results for your pet’s injury or illness. We are conveniently located in Winter Park, FL. Contact us today at (407) 227-0030. Our Services include the following: Outdoor Hydrotherapy and In-Home Mobile Therapy for dogs. We look forward to hearing from you!

What Our Clients Are Saying
Rachel is extremely kind, gentle and motivational towards animals. She provides quality individual attention.
What a great way to help your animal!Chase Milner March 20, 2018
"My Lab mix Tucker, is a new client of Dip'n Dogs. After just a few assisted swims with Rachel, we have seen great results with his weight loss and overall behavior. Rachel is fun and motivating when in the water and Tucker really loves his weekly swim session!"
Patrick Haggerty March 22, 2018
"Rachel is amazing! The changes in Blu’s overall physical health have been worth every effort. I recommend hydrotherapy for any dog’s overall fitness health."
Jennifer Corso Leonard April 29, 2018
"Rachel is wonderful with our fur baby Bella. We were told by Bella’s vet that she needed to lose some weight and we are already seeing results! Bella may not be the easiest client (very much a diva) but Rachel is so patient and gentle with her. Bella is a mix of husky and German Shepherd so we want to keep her fit to prevent conditions that are common with those breeds."
Kaela Rebecca April 30, 2018
"Our little Yorkie Jack has arthritis and our vet recommended trying hydrotherapy. Jack is a yipper but remains calm with Rachel! After his sessions, we do see Jack go up the two steps he usually avoids, with less hesitation and his walking seems easier! Thank you Rachel!"
Joni Browder April 30, 2018
"Our 11 year-old Yorkie just started hydrotherapy for his arthritis. Since starting, he’s a little more agile, and goes upstairs with more ease! Thanks Rachel for all you do and your extra TLC with our little Jack!"
Caitlin Browder May 5, 2018
My beagle, Badger, is overweight (like many beagles are) but I wasn’t too worried because we would go for long walk/runs to keep him healthy. BUT, his hips began to hurt and he wouldn’t walk for more than just a few minutes. I was worried he would become obese! I found Dip’n Dogs online and signed Badger up for hydrotherapy with Rachel. Not only is he almost back to normal with our walks but he has lost a bit of weight! The swims have definitely benefited him. Rachel is kind, patient and very flexible with scheduling appointments. Plus, her package deals help with the cost. I highly recommend her services. Both Badger and I are much happier than we were a month or so ago!”
Camille King July 12, 2018
“Jack’s mobility has benefited from the swimming sessions in a short time. I appreciate the patience and care Rachel has shown with our 17 year old Jack Russell. He needs special attention and she always gives him terrific assistance. I wish we had known about hydrotherapy earlier in his life. I know he would be in even better shape than he is now.”
Seth Miller July 12, 2018
"Hope is getting her second session of water therapy to help with her arthritis in her spine and legs and build her leg muscles back up! Maria and I love her trainer Rachel!"
Andrea Ruiz-Hays July 17, 2018
"Rachel has been awesome and I would most definitely recommend her!! My 12 year old beagle recently had knee surgery and she reached out to me through social media to let me know about her services. When it came time for him to start hydrotherapy as part of his recovery I contacted Rachel and set up an appointment. She was very responsive to messages and easy to get a hold of to set up our first appointment. After our first session my beagle started walking better and showing improvement in his healing process. I decided to buy a 4 session pack from her and taking him to see her weekly. Since we have started, his mobility has improved after each session and he gets around better than ever."
Caitlyn Canada July 17, 2018
"Rachel became certified in canine hydrotherapy through the certification program we offer through The Canine Fitness Institute. Since then, she has been working with dogs daily and I've seen her skills and competence grow by leaps and bounds. She opened her own business in 2018 - Dip N Dogs Canine Hydrotherapy and is doing a great job helping a wide variety of dogs regain strength after surgery, lose weight, become more mobile even though they have arthritis, and more. To further her knowledge, she continues to study and research a variety of orthopedic conditions that routinely affect dogs. She is very personable and her clients love her and the care she gives their dogs. If your dog can benefit from the incredible healing effects of hydrotherapy, I recommend you give Rachel a call."
Sherri Cappabianca July 17, 2018
"Jack was always extremely active throughout his life. Now at 17 plus years, he isn’t able to walk as well as we would like, due to arthritis and atrophy from age a medications he has taken. The hydrotherapy treatments with Rachel have made such a difference. They have helped him maintain his mobility and gain additional strength. Jack swims twice a week with Rachel. He swims very hard and I think he enjoys the mobility in the water that he no longer has on land. I wish we had known about hydrotherapy and Rachel earlier. I don’t think it is ever to early to start your dog swimming. I know would be in even better shape now than he is, if we had started him sooner. I highly recommend Rachel to work with your pet. She always has Jack’s best interest in mind and we certainly appreciate that."
Carrie Miller September 10, 2018
"Rachel is a pro when it comes to helping our dog Ellie feel comfortable during her swimming session. She has a kind nature towards animals and is really good at what she does. I'm glad we found out about her business. I highly recommend her services for your pet's well being."
Andy Schifaro September 10, 2018
"Rachel's calm, confident approach had our dog very comfortable."
Tracy Robinson September 10, 2018
"We are absolutely thrilled and happy to have Rachel swim with our dog Griffin. The exercise really has helped calm Griffin and his weight is right where it should be. Our vet was very happy with Griffins weight at his last check up this past week. They were happy that he had not gained any as many dogs do after being neutered. Griffin really loves his time with Rachel! she is a true dog lover."
Sara Palmer September 10, 2018
"Rachel was wonderful with my Dusty who had an FHO done on his right hip but his left hip is not so good either. As of right now his right has healed wonderfully and his left hip is holding strong! I believe it is because of hydrotherapy with Rachel. Dusty had his surgery in March and I can’t go fast enough for him on his walks! I might need some hydrotherapy myself!"
Terrie Sandefur October 3, 2018
"Rachel seems to see and love my Hannah's Spirit. Hannah recently said goodbye, for now, to Hazel, her litter mate and twin. Needing some fun new experiences and with a recent arthritis diagnosis, Dip'n Dogs was a nice adventure. Hannah enjoys the pool. Seems a natural swimmer. And Rachel has a good positive energy!"
Gwen Hartmann October 4, 2018
"Rachel is a caring and experienced dog guardian and is one of my dog, Maisie’s, favorite people. I highly recommend Dip'n Dogs!"
Marcia Caton February 18, 2019
"Sophie doesn't love the pool but Rachel was so great with her that Sophie was giving her kisses by the end! I'm so excited about Sophie continuing her hydrotherapy!"
Katlyn Billue February 18, 2019
"We are absolutely thrilled and happy to have Rachel swim with our dog Griffin. The exercise really has helped calm Griffin and his weight is right where it should be. Our vet was very happy with Griffins weight at his last check up this past week. They were happy that he had not gained any as many dogs do after being neutered. Griffin really loves his time with Rachel! she is a true dog lover."
Sara Palmer February 18, 2019
"Guinness and I are so happy that we met Rachel. She is super nice, gentle, patient and knows how to make Guinness comfortable in the pool, because he gets soo nervous. She is helping Guiness get back on his leg after a luxating patella injury. Right now he is doing great and starting to put his leg down when walking. I would definitely recommend Rachel- best hydrotherapy
:) and she does a great job in the pool. Thank you Rachel!"
Noelia Cocco February 18, 2019
"From the instant that I met Rachel, I felt comfortable with her and would have trusted her with any of my dogs. She came and worked with my senior, blind Shih Tzu this summer. My Millicent has arthritis, bad skin, allergies and had recently developed a heart murmur. Rachel made sure to go over Millie’s health history with me and was very aware of how Millie was doing the whole time she worked with her. It is great exercise for an old, lazy dog!"
Kristi Klein February 18, 2019