Dog Etiquette for the Holidays

Dog Etiquette for the Holidays
By: Joan Paylo

Planning to take your pet along when you go to see friends or relatives this season? Think again. Not every hostess – or pet, for that matter – can deal with a holiday visit.

Reasons to Leave Them Home

1) First off, many animals don't enjoy being away from a familiar home, and they really don't look forward to playing with your cousin's pet. In fact, your cat, your dog and your budgie don't know or care that it's one holiday or another.

2) Some of the things we humans look forward to all year are nothing but a nuisance for many animals. A crush of family and friends may annoy them, and they can turn snappy. Rich holiday foods can make them sick. Decorations can pose health threats. Dogs may chew at electrical wires and ribbons can get caught in an animal's throat. And certain plants, like mistletoe, are dangerous to dogs.

3) Another reason to leave the dog home is the sensibility of your host or hostess.

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