We all want our dogs to be involved in every event of our lives, but should they join in with the festivities of a coronation street party?
Your dog will love the attention, the food, and the party! But if you do allow your dog to join in with your coronation celebration be aware of aspects of a party that could cause unassuming harm.
Dr Linda Simon, veterinary surgeon at Pooch & Mutt has given us 5 tips on how to keep your dog safe this bank holiday:
1. Keep dogs indoors or on a lead during garden and street parties
Whilst you should encourage dogs to run and play, if you’re attending a party or outdoor event, aim to keep your pets indoors. This will ensure they don’t accidentally get out of the house and get lost or injured.
If possible, provide a safe space for them in the house or back garden where they can retreat if they feel scared or overwhelmed by the noise and activity of the party. Make sure they have access to food, water, and a comfortable bed.
If you cannot keep your pets indoors, it is important to keep them on a lead to prevent them from running away or jumping up at any food. Unfortunately, the reality is that some people simply don’t like dogs. Avoid any unnecessary stress for your pooch, or any neighbours, by at least keeping your dog on a lead.
READ MORE: How to Host the Ultimate Party For Your Dog
2. Avoid sharing party snacks
Sharing snacks with our furry friends can be tempting, but this may do more harm than good. Chocolate is poisonous for dogs, as it contains theobromine and caffeine, two stimulants that dogs cannot efficiently metabolise, so ingesting even a small amount can make them quite unwell.
Additionally, fruits such as grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, so it’s best to keep these out of reach from dogs. Onions and garlic contain compounds that can damage a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anaemia. Also, avocado contains persin, which can be toxic to dogs in large amounts. Any foods high in fat, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and other greasy snacks, can cause pancreatitis in dogs so avoid sharing.
If you’re drinking an alcoholic beverage, it can be deadly to dogs, so keep your pooch away from any drinks/ cups containing alcohol. Many of us will also enjoy ice cream to keep us cool, and whilst a small amount of ice cream is okay, most ice cream contains a lot of sugar, which can cause upset stomach, diarrhoea, and obesity in dogs, so it’s best to enjoy your ice cream without sharing any with your pooch!
3. In the unfortunate event that your dog ingests some poisonous food
Once the party is over, it is a good idea to double-check the street or garden for any forgotten food before you allow your dog to roam the garden unsupervised. If you suspect your dog has eaten any other potentially harmful substance, watch for symptoms of poisoning.
Common symptoms of poisoning in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Increased thirst
- Restlessness.
It’s important to take them to your veterinary clinic, where they will advise and act upon the next steps.
4. Supervise your children at all times
Like all animals, dogs have instincts, and they can kick in at any time, so we always recommend never leaving children and dogs alone. Even if you think your dog is good with children, there is still cause to remain vigilant when they are together, even more so around high-energy events such as the King’s Coronation.
With the increased excitement and the likely consumption of more sugar than they are generally used to, children can get a little bit hyper, and in turn, they might find pestering the dog a new form of entertainment. Whether it is getting in the face and smothering them with kisses, or pulling at their tails or ears, like humans, dogs will only withstand so much before they react. So, to avoid unnecessary situations, it is a good idea to keep an eye on how your children interact with your dog.
It’s also important to consider noise levels. Loud music or fireworks may scare your pets, so be mindful of the noise levels and try to keep them as low as possible.
READ MORE: The Top Music Tracks to Calm Your Pooch
5. Avoid your dog getting access to your rubbish bins
Dogs’ super-sensitive sense of smell makes them great at finding food, even in the rubbish bin. To prevent potentially dangerous incidents, store your bin out of reach or weigh down the lid when your dog is around.
Hosting parties at home adds to the risk of food scraps, wrappers, and packaging that could cause blockages or internal damage if ingested. Items such as chicken bones can splinter when consumed. They can cause serious internal damage, and ingesting wrappers and other non-food items can cause blockages and other issues that could lead to your dog requiring surgery. So for your sanity and your dogs’ safety, ensuring they do not have access to your bins is advised! Avoid the hassle and keep your dog safe by restricting access to your bins.
