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  • Why Should I Get a Puppy As a Gift For Christmas? Why Shouldn’t I?

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    There is nothing more exciting than getting a puppy for Christmas. They make great gifts, but only if you and your whole family are ready. I should know. When I was a kid, I remember coming out on Christmas morning, only to hear a noisy box that we just had to open first!

    Because this isn’t always the best idea, I thought that I would ask my other veterinary technician friends to see what their thoughts were on the subject, and as you can imagine, there were not many reasons why it is a good idea, but there are plenty of reasons why you should hold off.

    Here are some reasons why you may want to give a puppy as a gift for Christmas.

    If you and your family are ready for a puppy, this can be a great surprise. 

    As I mentioned above, I will never forget the Christmas when we got a puppy when I was a kid.

    It can also be a romantic and thoughtful gift from someone you love.

    The memories will last a lifetime!

    Here are some reasons why you should not give a puppy as a gift for Christmas.

    Many puppy mills and backyard breeders bank on people buying puppies for Christmas. 

    When you choose to buy a puppy right around the holidays, you are just supporting their businesses. They will continue breeding as much as possible, in order to supply puppies for Christmas and all throughout the year, without any thought for the parents.

    Money is often tight during the holidays, so your budget may not be able to afford a puppy. 

    Puppies need to go to the veterinarian every three to four weeks until they are sixteen weeks old to receive full vaccinations. They also need to be dewormed. Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention also costs money. If the cost of the puppy is too much, you need to think about all the other costs associated with a puppy.

    What if there is an emergency? 

    Puppies also like to eat things. Christmas morning is often a mess of wrapping paper, tissue paper, and new toys. There are plenty of things that a puppy can eat that they shouldn’t.

    Not to mention all the extra food that is available during the holidays. Puppies and dogs can’t handle a lot of the food that could be dropped during holiday meals. This can lead to expensive emergency visits.

    If you are having a party, you may have a lot of people coming and going. 

    Your puppy (who doesn’t really know where home is yet) could get out and run away. You may never find your precious puppy again. Even worse, your puppy could be hit by a car.

    The holidays are also one of the top reasons for dog bites. 

    With lots of people in and out of your home, along with strange dogs, your new puppy may be very overwhelmed. He or she could bite (or get bitten by another dog) in the confusion of the holidays.

    Because of the confusion of the holidays, routines go out the window. 

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    New puppies thrive on routines in order to settle in. They need to know when they should eat, when they should go to bed, and when it is playtime. Not to mention potty training. It can be tough to potty-train a puppy that doesn’t eat at the same time every day!

    Even worse, you may have the puppy for a month or so until things settle down, and you can get into a routine. This is really important time for a puppy to adjust to his or her new home.

    Your children may go to school bragging about how Santa brought them a puppy. 

    Other children may not understand why they can’t get one from Santa! If your children still believe in Santa, it can be hard to explain why one family gets a puppy from Santa when all they got were a few small things!

    Because of this, too many puppies and dogs find themselves in shelters right after the holidays. 

    If you ask anyone who works in a shelter, they will tell you that shelters fill up right after the holidays because of inadequate planning. Whether you bought someone a dog that didn’t fit their lifestyle or they simply didn’t really want a puppy, many puppies and dogs find themselves homeless after the fun of a new puppy wears off!

    So, what can you do if you want to give someone a puppy for the holidays?

    Another veterinary technician recommended getting a gift certificate to a shelter so that your loved one can choose the perfect pet for their lifestyle.

    Too many people buy puppies or dogs without considering their lifestyle. Though the puppy may be cute, your loved one may not have the energy that a herding dog needs. He or she may be better off getting a lap puppy! They may not want a long-haired dog that requires daily brushing. They may not have the money for the groomer every six to eight weeks.

    He or she could even wait until things settle down after the holidays, when it would be a better time to get a new puppy or dog. There might even be more of a selection as Christmas gifts end up in the shelter!

    By allowing him or her to pick out his or her new dog, which is just what the family needs, the gift will continue to be a blessing instead of becoming a hassle that the person was not ready for.

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    Please note, the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Avoiding Pet Emergencies Over the Holidays

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    The holidays can be a wonderful time of the year. Many people love to decorate their homes, both inside and outside, as well as bake wonderful treats, and spend extra time with family.

    Even better, you can enjoy this time with your beloved pets by your side. However, this can also be a dangerous time for them, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips to help you avoid any emergencies over the holiday season.

    You must be careful with your Christmas tree. 

    Though your tree might be the centerpiece of your decorating, the truth is that they aren’t always the best for your pets.

    Playful puppies and kittens have been known to knock over a perfectly decorated Christmas tree, simply because it is in the way! They can also get caught in the cord of lights, which may make them fall over, too. Some curious cats and dogs will bite the cord, which can lead to burns.

    The decorations themselves can be hard to keep your pets away from. 

    Many cats are drawn to tinsel; you may notice your cat wants to eat it! This can cause an obstruction or perforation, which could lead to emergency surgery. They may also play with dangling ornaments, batting at them until they fall off and break.

    For this reason, you may want to put something around your tree to keep your beloved pets away from it completely!

    Many Christmas and holiday plants are toxic to pets. 

    Many people love to give plants as gifts, which isn’t always a good thing if you own pets. One of the most common plants that are toxic to cats includes lilies. Even if they only eat a small amount, it can send your cat to the emergency room.

    Other plants to avoid would include mistletoe, balsam, pine, holly, and Christmas cacti. Poinsettia plants, while not toxic, can cause drooling and vomiting, so you may want to avoid them also.

    Watch table scraps. 

    Many people seem to eat from Thanksgiving to Christmas, going from party to party. They may also have parties in their home, where some guests may feed their pets without realizing the consequences of their actions.

    Some of the main foods to avoid include chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, certain nuts, and any foods that contain xylitol. Your pets should also stay away from alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

    Many people want to give their pets a treat over the holidays and may give them some trimming and side dishes. These dishes may contain more fat than your pet is used to, which can lead to some serious conditions, such as pancreatitis.

    If you have a nervous dog and are having a party, you may want to keep him or her locked away from guests. 

    Even the calmest dog and cat can become overwhelmed by a houseful of guests, so it is important that your pet has a way to get away from everyone!

    You may want to set up a space in the back for your pets to relax. Make it special by adding their bed with their favorite blankets. You may want to give them a new toy or a chew bone that will occupy them while everything else is going on. Some even do better if you leave music on, so that they don’t hear everything that is going on outside!

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    The holidays can be a great time for everyone, including your pets. That being said, you need to use caution with your Christmas tree and the plants you use to decorate it. Lilies are the worst for cats, so they should be avoided at all costs! You also need to keep your pets away from all the food that you may be eating over the holidays. A lot of it is too fatty for their taste, and it could cause some problems. Some parties are also too much for pets, so you may want to set up an area for them to relax and avoid it all!

    ***

    Please note, the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately.