The Ultimate

Guide to

FOR YOUR DOG

The food and decorationsthat make the holidays somuch fun for us can bedangerous for our dogs

Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Kwanzaa,Winter Solstice and New Year’s Day; thewonderful winter holiday season is fastapproaching. Here at Canine Campus we wantyou and your dog to enjoy the happy times theseason offers, but it’s important to rememberthe food and decorations that make theholidays so much fun for us can be dangerousfor our dogs.

“Dogs are ableto see into our

souls and remindus of the true

meaning ofChristmas.”

~ Author Unknown

Holiday Food Can Be Dangerous for DogsHoliday foods we enjoy can be a problem for your dog. Don’t let your dog ingest thefollowing:

1. Rich, fatty foodsDogs can easily have problems from rich, fatty foods like gravy or grease, which can causepancreatitis. Symptoms of pancreatitis are pain, vomiting and dehydration. Dogs thatdevelop this serious condition often need to be hospitalized.

2. AlcoholEvery year, hundreds of dogs die after consuming alcohol. While some dogs are attractedto alcohol, it can be very dangerous for them, especially if they become intoxicated. Evenglasses with a small amount of alcohol in them can be problematic.

3. Coffee or teaCoffee and tea contain a dangerous ingredient called xanthine, which can cause nervoussystem problems, urinary tract damage and heart stimulation.

4. ChocolateIn addition to xanthine, chocolate contains theobromine, which can be deadly for dogs.Dark chocolate, including baking chocolate, are the worst culprits, but all chocolate, candyand fudge should be kept out of your dog’s reach.

5. Uncooked meat, fish or poultryUncooked fish, meat or poultry may contain disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli andtoxoplasma gondii. Be careful to wash all utensils that have come in contact with raw meatand cook meat thoroughly.

6. Bones from fish, meat or poultryEven small bones from fish, meat or poultry can splinter causing lacerations (tears) in theintestinal tract. Unless you’re giving your dog a bone that has been treated or speciallysterilized, keep them away from your dog. Rawhide, Kong toys and hard, sterilized bonesare better options.

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7. TobaccoTobacco products can be fatal to dogsif ingested. Keep cigarettes, cigars,chewing tobacco, nicotine gum, nicotinepatches and ashtrays out of reach ofyour dog. Signs of tobacco poisoning willshow up within 15-45 minutes and mayinclude:

● salivation● vomiting● diarrhea● seizures● excitation● cardiac arrest.

8. Uncooked yeast doughUncooked yeast dough has been knownto expand and produce gas in thedigestive system. Dogs may experiencepain and possible rupture of thestomach or intestines.

9. Grapes or raisinsGrapes and raisins contain a toxin thatcan cause damage to your dog’skidneys.

10. Artificial sweetenersXylitol, an artificial sweetener found ingums, breath mints, candy and other human food can be very toxic to dogs.

8. Uncooked yeast doughUncooked yeast dough has been known to expand and produce gas in the digestivesystem. Dogs may experience pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

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9. Grapes or raisinsGrapes and raisins contain a toxin that can cause damage to your dog’s kidneys.

10. Artificial sweetenersXylitol, an artificial sweetener found in gums, breath mints, candy and other human foodcan be very toxic to dogs.

11. Macadamia nutsMacadamia nuts contain a toxin that can affect the nervous system and muscles of dogs.

12. Foil or plasticDogs can smell even trace amounts of food on plastic or foil and can be very sneaky about

getting candy wrappers, aluminum foilwith food in it, etc. If ingested, plastic orfoil can cause choking or intestinalobstruction.

13. StringDogs find the string used to hold meattogether (think roast meat) verytempting and will eat the string.Ingestion can cause an emergencycalled “linear string foreign body” in theintestines and must be surgicallyremoved.

14. GarbageGarbage contains all kinds of hazardsfor your dog, such as plastic wrap, 6-pack beverage holders that can causestrangulation, fat trimmings, bones,ribbon or tinsel. Be sure to secure yourgarbage cans to make sure your dogcan’t get into them.

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Certain Plants Can Be Poisonous to DogsWhile green foliage and colorful plants make the season more festive for the holidays,many of the plants we like to use to decorate our homes can be poisonous to dogs.

Here’s what to watch for:

15. Holly leaves and berriesHolly leaves and berries cause stomach upset and can be fatal to both dogs and cats.

16. MistletoeMistletoe upsets stomach and can cause a heart attack.

17. HibiscusHibiscus may cause diarrhea.

18. PoinsettiasPoinsettias cause blistering in the mouth and an upset stomach.

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Decorations, Wrapping and Gifts Under the Tree Can Be Hazardous forYour DogKeep the following away from your dog:

19. Yarn, string and ribbonsRibbons, yarn and string can be fatal to your dog if ingested. If your dog eats them, it cancause intestinal bunching and obstruction. If this happens, your dog will need surgery toremove the item. Curious puppies are especially susceptible to the allure of prettydecorations and wrapping.

20. Adhesives and glueAdhesives and glue can be toxic and areespecially attractive to animals.

21. PotpourriPotpourri contains oils that can be poison todogs if ingested.

22. CandlesCandles can cause burns and fires. Neverleave lighted candles unattended or withinreach of your dog.

23. BatteriesBatteries are often included in toys under thetree but can be toxic if your dog ingests one.An ingested battery can cause an obstructionand have to be surgically removed.

24. Perfume and after-shavePerfumes, after-shaves and other smell-goodproducts contain ethanol (alcohol) andessential oils which can be very toxic to dogsif ingested.

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Christmas Trees and Decorations Pose Hazards for Your DogLet’s face it. A lovely, full, lush green Christmas tree decorated with sparkly ornaments andpretty lights is a thing of beauty, but dog owners must be especially careful to takeprecaution so their dog or puppy isn’t put in harm’s way.

Here’s what you need to be aware of when it comes to bringing a Christmas tree into yourhome.

25. Secure your treeMake sure you secure your tree in a stable stand and attach securely to a window or a wallusing fish line or something similar in order to keep your tree from falling on your dog. Youmay even want to consider using a scat mat to deter your pets from playing with your tree.

26. Tree needlesTree needles can be toxic and causemouth and stomach irritation. Needlesand wire on an artificial tree can bedangerous too. Be sure your dog doesnot chew on branches or eat fallenneedles.

27. TinselKeep tinsel away from your dog. If eaten,it can cause intestinal blockage, whichrequire surgery to remove. When itcomes to tinsel, leave it out of yourholiday decorations altogether.

28. Angel hairAngel hair, flocking and artificial snoware mildly toxic to dogs. If your dogconsumes enough, however, it can causeblockage in the intestines. For thisreason, it is best to decorate withsomething else to avoid a problem.

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29. Electrical cordsIf your dog chews on an electrical cord, including a string of lights, it can cause a range ofproblems such as a burned mouth, electrical shock or even death by electrocution. Somecords can get hot and cause burns. Unplug lights when you can’t supervise. Use pet-proofcords and spray with an anti-chew product like Bitter Apple to discourage chewing,especially by puppies.

30.  Glass ornamentsGlass ornaments are beautiful, but if your dog plays with one like it’s a ball seriouslacerations (cuts) can occur. Sharp ornament hooks have been known to becomeembedded in a dog’s mouth or esophagus. Place glass ornaments high on your tree.Ornaments that are not so dangerous can be placed lower.

31. Candy ornamentsDecorating your tree with candy ornaments is asking for trouble. Candy canes, gingerbreadand other sweets are intriguing to your dog. We know of one diabetic dog that ran intotrouble with her blood sugars because she was sneaking and eating candy canes off thetree. Popcorn, raisins and cranberry garlands can cause obstructions and require surgery.So be wary about using food as tree ornaments.

32. Tree preservativesTree preservatives are sugar-based. Since the sugar andpreservative-laden water sitsfor long periods of time, thewater often harborsdangerous bacteria. Fertilizer,insecticides or flameretardants that were used onthe tree may get into thewater, causing your dog to getvery sick if ingested. Cover thestand with a tree skirt or othermeans to prevent your dogfrom drinking the water.

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Holiday Visitors Pose Special ChallengesSome pets love having visitors and will be on their best behavior. But some dogs maybecome fearful or aggressive. Puppies tend to get over-excited and urinate when theymeet new people. Be prepared tohandle your dog should youentertain holiday guests.

33. Give your dog some spaceProvide a quiet, comfortable spaceaway from the commotion of theholidays for your dog to help withfearfulness or aggression.

34. Remind your dog ofobedience expectationsWork with your dog before theholidays to refresh obedienceskills. Be sure to inform your guestsif your dog has any undesirablehabits (like high-tailing it out thedoor as soon as it’s opened,jumping up on the couch orstealing food from the counter.)

35. Use baby gatesFor dogs that are aggressive,consider setting up baby gates orputting them in a different roomduring the time your guests arevisiting. Or, consider boarding yourdog at Canine Campus if you thinkyour dog might not be safe aroundguests, especially young childrenor babies.

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36. Guests with pets?If your guest asks to bring a pet and you’re not sure how they will get along, you may needto decline the request or plan to spend some time acclimatizing the pets to each other.You will need to supervise them carefully and monitor their actions to prevent an incidentwhere someone gets hurt.

37. Cleaning productsWe tend to use extra cleaning products during the holidays in preparation of guests orevents. Remember that many cleaning products can be harmful to your dog and keep

them out of reach.

38. Prevent allergiesBe sure to let your guests knowahead of time that you have a petso they can take whateverprecautions they need to if they areallergic. Try using a product suchas Allerpet to help decrease thedander in the house.

39. Consider boarding your dog ifyou plan to travelIf you are the one doing thetraveling, you may want to leaveyour dog in a safe environment thatis comfortable, fun and designedwith your dog’s needs in mind. Werecommend you makeaccommodations as soon aspossible as we fill up fast during theholidays. If you haven’t visitedCanine Campus yet, please give usa call at 719-448-9600 to arrange atour and admissions test for yourdogs.

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Refrain from Getting a New Dog during the Holidays40. A new dog or puppy is not a good holiday gift.Dogs need routine and time to bond with their new family. The noise and chaos of theholiday season is not the best time to introduce a new animal to the household. Considerwaiting until after the holidays are over to adopt a new dog.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Dog or Dog LoversYou want to include your dog in the holiday spirit. Here are some gift ideas your dog willtruly appreciate.

41. Dog toysWe highly recommend project toys for your dog. Also known as puzzle toys or interactivetoys, project toys hold your dog’s interest and give them the mental stimulation they craveas well as being fun. Check out our article on project toys for dogs.

42. Dog treatsChoose healthy holiday treats for your dog and offer them in moderation.

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43. Give your dog the gift of quality timeThere is nothing your dog wants more than quality time with you. Take some time to relaxand give your dog undivided attention. Your dog will think that is the best gift of all!

44. What to give prospective dog ownersIf you know someone who is planning to adopt a dog consider giving them a “starter”basket filled with toys, treats, books and gift certificates. Contact Canine Campus topurchase gift certificates for doggrooming, day care and boarding.

45. Help homeless pets in ourcommunityConsider giving a donation to yourfavorite pet homeless shelter and makethe holidays a bit brighter for homelessanimals in Colorado Springs. Contact alocal shelter like The Humane Society ofPike’s Peak Region to find out if adonation of food, bedding, toys or yourtime is needed.

We would love to spend time with yourdog during the holidays should youdecide to take advantage of our award-winning dog boarding services. Learnmore about our ideal accommodations,policies and how to prepare for yourdog’s stay. We book up quickly duringthe holidays, so if you’re interestedplease call us at 719-448-9600 orcontact us right away! If you alreadyhave a log in, click on our K-9 Connectonline program to set up or modify roomand board reservations. We’d love tohear from you!

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Located in beautiful Colorado Springs, Canine Campus is a pioneer in the world of dog daycareand overnight boarding. Open since 1999, we continue to lead the animal industry with our doggieplay group games, all-day activities and our in-house training programs for our faculty members.

To top things off, your pooch will never be unsupervised on a Canine Campus playground. We domore than just "watch" the dogs all day. Canine Campus offers a unique type of K-9 daycareexperience... one not found anywhere else in the world. Our faculty specializes in actuallyinteracting with your pooch all day long -- something rarely found in this industry.

You will find nothing but true dog-lovers at a Canine Campus, from the dog grooming faculty andprofessors on the play fields to the founder, who still "works the pack" and trains all of the staff.Dogs are not just pets to us…they are members of our families; something only true dog-peoplewould understand.

We invite you to tour our Campus anytime. We love surprise visits from our prospective parents(owners)! You will find more than just a typical mom-and-pop dog daycare shop. Instead, youwill find hometown customer service complete with corporate standards.

It’s a combination you won’t find at any other kennel in the world!

Canine Campus Dog Daycare & Boarding

Address: 3116 Karen PlaceColorado Springs, CO 80907

Phone: 719-448-9600Fax: 719-448-0496

Email: fido@caninecampus.usWebsite: CanineCampus.us