The festive season is around the corner! I can’t believe the year is almost over: we only have 38 days left in 2023. It’s always a crazy time of year, so if you are starting to feel a little overwhelmed, take a deep breath. With so much to do, it’s easy to overlook the comfort and well-being of our pups on top of everything else, but don’t fret – we’re here to help.

Christmas is just over a month away, and it’s a great time to start preparing your furry friend for this hot and busy time of year. We’ve put together 5 top tips to keep your four-legged family members calm, happy, and relaxed (even if you’re not!).

TOP TIP ONE

Summer fun in the sun!

In South Africa, our festive season is during the summer. Think lots of sunny skies, braais, and swimming. However, it can also get very hot. Dogs are particularly susceptible to high temperatures and cool their bodies differently from humans. Dogs only have sweat glands in their paws and around their nose and primarily regulate their body temperature by panting. A perfect storm of conditions such as very high temperatures, no access to adequate shade or water, high humidity, and certain morphological characteristics can result in the onset of hyperthermia (heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses).

Early hyperthermia presents in dogs as restlessness, drooling (thick saliva), high body temperatures, excessive panting, and darkening of gums. As the symptoms get worse you may start seeing vomiting or diarrhoea, an increase in the heart rate, dizziness, seizures, lethargy, and even unconsciousness.

Heatstroke can be fatal if not treated immediately. Organ failure can occur as early as within 15 minutes of the onset of heatstroke. Certain dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke than others:

Brachycephalic breeds (snub- or flat-nosed dogs)
Vey old or very young dogs
Dogs with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases
Dogs with thick, long coats
Overweight dogs
Active dogs

So, how can you prevent heatstroke in your dog?

The first step is being aware of the symptoms. Keep a close eye on your dog when it’s extra hot.
Always make sure there is enough fresh, cool water available to your dog.
Always give your dog access to a cool, covered, well-ventilated, or shady spot to rest.
Don’t force your dog to do anything overly active during the heat of the day.
Never, ever leave your dog unattended in the car, even for 5 minutes.
If you need to close your dog away when you have visitors, make sure the space is cool and well-ventilated with enough freshwater, and a comfy place to rest.
Never leave a muzzle on your dog for extended periods, especially when it’s hot, as muzzles prevent dogs from panting to regulate their body temperature.

If you suspect your dog is starting to show signs of heatstroke, get them to a vet immediately. Click here to search for your closest 24-hour vet.

While the sun can be fun for us humans, it’s not always the case with dogs. Being vigilant and keeping an eye on your pawesome bud can prevent a life-threatening condition.

The festive season is such a popular time of year because it gives us a chance to spend time with our special friends and family. And, if you’re anything like us, your dogs are part of the family. But, not all pups enjoy the hustle and bustle that comes with the festive season and all its greetings.

There are very few dogs that love everyone and everything, and it’s good to keep this in mind when considering the needs of our pups over the holiday season. Most dogs need a little bit of time and space to get comfortable with new situations and unfamiliar people. This is okay – I’m sure there have been times when you’ve found a quiet spot to observe your environment before engaging with people you don’t know (think of those awkward corporate conferences!)

A lot of people place very high expectations on their pups, expecting them to feel safe and comfortable in any situation. This can put their dogs in very difficult positions and put a lot of pressure on them to be perfect family pets. Expecting your dog to endure hugs and pets from loud strange kids (or adults!) is unfair to your pup at best and can result in a bite at worst.

Here are some tips for keeping your furry buddy comfortable and safe when family and friends invade your home.

Give your pup a ‘safe space’. This could be a room far from the noise and festivities, or their crate if they’re crate-trained (Note: if using a crate, never close your dog inside for long periods, and always place the crate away from the hustle and bustle. A crate must be your dog’s safe place, not their jail.) Your dog’s safe space should be cool and well-ventilated, with lots of fresh water and a comfy place to lie. Your dog should be able to access and leave his safe space at will.
Never force your furry friend to greet unfamiliar people or dogs. If you’re not sure how your pup will respond to strangers, rather secure them in their safe space with a tasty, safe treat (like a snuffle mat or lickimat) until all guests have arrived. Once everyone has settled, your dog can choose whether he wants to engage with your friends and family or not.
Keep a close eye on the front door or gate, especially with so many people coming and going. If you’re worried about your escape artist getting out, consider using baby gates to secure open doors. Be extra careful when people arrive or leave, and make sure your guests are vigilant about closing doors and gates.
Never leave your pup alone with children, even if you know the children or the kids and dogs know each other. Allowing dogs and kids to play alone can be a recipe for disaster, especially during a high-energy and excitable time like the holiday season. Kids may not have the self-control to stop themselves from cuddling or petting cute dogs, even if the dogs are uncomfortable. Like they say, rather be safe than sorry. It is devastating for both dog and child to experience a dog bite, and a bite can be severely damaging especially for small children.

Food, festivities, and fairy lights

December in South Africa is holiday time! Let’s be honest – how many of us actually do any work at this time of year? It’s all about family, friends, food, and fun. While many of us love the silly season for all its indulgence and festivities, it can be a bit much for our four-legged family members, especially for their tummies.

As we celebrate the end of the year and everything we’ve achieved and overcome, it can be so easy to bring our pups in on the fun. Don’t get me wrong, this is great! After all, they’re part of the family. But it’s good to be careful of what we expose our dogs to. The last thing any of us want to do is spend Christmas Day at the 24-hour emergency vet.

Be aware of these potentially harmful situations:

Lots of yummy gammon and turkey! It’s okay to treat our pups with a little piece of delicious roast lamb or juicy boerewors, but just a little piece. Overindulging in fatty or salty food can be bad for your buddy and make him really ill. Again, no one wants to spend the festive season at the vet.
Don’t give your dog bones from the roast or braai. Cooked bones can be very dangerous for your dog. Smaller bones, like marrow bones, can get stuck in your dog’s mouth or throat, while larger bones and chicken bones can splinter and damage your dog’s internal organs. Regardless, rather give your buddy a treat specifically made for dogs. There are so many easily available and reasonably priced dog treats out there. Go for treats that are largely unprocessed, like pizzle sticks and dehydrated pig ears, and stay away from rawhide. Also, always supervise your dog while he’s enjoying his treat. If you don’t have the time, save his special treat for later, once the guests have left and things have calmed down.
We have little bowls of chocolate all over the house on Christmas Day. We love being able to grab a Quality Street on our way to the kitchen, but we always make sure the bowls are placed out of reach of sticky paws. Remember that Oero’s ad? Chocolate is bad for dogs. In this situation, the best plan of action is simply management. Manage the environment so that your dog doesn’t find himself in a harmful situation. We have a rule in our house: if our dogs can reach it, they can have it. If you don’t want them to have it, place it out of reach.
Be aware of all sorts of festive decorations that may be harmful to your bud, like fairy lights, tinsel, or figurines. Keep tiny, easily ingested Christmas decorations out of reach of your dog. Secure your Christmas tree so that it can’t be knocked over. Don’t leave Christmas toys and gifts lying around, especially if they can be chewed or ingested.

Christmas Day can be chaotic and busy. Plan ahead and get a management system in place now to ensure a peaceful and event-free celebration.

Many South Africans love spending the festive season at the beach. I’m sure the Durbanites reading this will groan when they think of all the Vaalies on their way! We are very lucky these days to have lists and lists of holiday homes that welcome both you and your furry friend (check out all the pet-friendly spots across the country here). We’ve got a short list of things to consider if you’re taking your pup along for the ride.

Make sure your buddy is securely fastened when travelling in the car. Like all family members, it’s safe practice to restrain your pup when in a vehicle, regardless of how far you’re driving. Research shows that the safest space in a vehicle for a restrained dog is the back seat. There is a variety of reasonably priced harnesses specifically for dogs available in South Africa. For crate-trained dogs, a secured crate on the back seat, or in the back of a station wagon or SUV is ideal. Make sure the crate is large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in.
Ensure your pup has a microchip and that the details on the chip are up to date. A microchip is a tiny implant, about the size of a long grain of rice, that has a serial number specific to your pet. They don’t rely on batteries or power to function and when scanned, reveal the serial number that is related to the guardian’s contact details. Getting your pup microchipped is easy and affordable but can significantly increase the chances of finding a lost dog. The procedure can be done by your vet or a registered practitioner and is as simple as injecting the chip beneath your dog’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades.
I know a few people who pride themselves on getting from Joburg to Durbs in one uninterrupted trip. However, if you’re bringing your furry family member along, it is best to stop every hour or two to give your bud a leg-stretch, as well as to let him use the toilet and get a drink of water. Many service stations offer doggy pit-stops that are fenced off for their safety and have fresh water available.
Keep the car cool to prevent your pup from overheating.
Always keep your dog’s harness and lead on while travelling. This will make it easier for you to handle your pup, especially when making pitstops and arriving at your accommodation. Just make sure the harness or lead doesn’t interfere with any restraints or the crate your dog is travelling in.
Double-check that your holiday accommodation is happy to host your pup. Inform them of the breed and size of your dog: some hosts have breed and size restrictions. Some places require ‘cleaning’ deposits and may charge per pet. Also, you may need to bring your own dog bedding, blankets, and food and water bowls.

Last but not least, and maybe the most important!

We’ve discussed the main ways to ‘holiday-proof’ your dog so that he can best enjoy the festive season in his own way. There are several other ways to make sure this busy time of year doesn’t overwhelm your pup and things to consider to prevent any potentially harmful experiences.

Calming medication: If your dog is slightly anxious or nervous and battles with too much noise or activity, consider speaking to your vet about calming medication specifically for dogs. There is a wide range of affordable anti-stress and anti-anxiety products available, including collars, sprays, diffusers, chews, and oils. It is best to chat to your vet to find out what would suit your dog, based on his breed, size, and needs. This is a really nice and safe way to provide your buddy with a little bit of extra help when dealing with potentially stressful situations.
Consistent routine: Try to keep your dog’s daily routine as consistent as possible. This includes feeding times, walks, and sleep. This will help your pup deal with any uncertainty and new situations.
Dog music and dog TV: if you have access to wifi and a streaming service, consider putting calm and relaxing music on for your dog. There are a number of channels on apps such as YouTube and Spotify that offer videos and music developed specifically for anxious or nervous dogs. These videos are also great to use during fireworks and thunderstorms, especially if you have a noise-sensitive dog.
24-hour vet: Make a note of your closest 24-hour / emergency vet. Place this information somewhere where it is easily accessible and visible to everyone. Remember, not all vets have emergency facilities, and many are not open 24 hours a day. Search through our list of veterinary clinics and hospitals for a 24-hour vet close to you.

Jingle Paws! 5 top tips for keeping your pups safe and happy this festive season

TOP TIP ONE

Summer fun in the sun!

TOP TIP TWO

Social butterflies

TOP TIP 3

Food, festivities, and fairy lights

TOP TIP 4

It's holiday time!

TOP TIP FIVE

Last but not least, and maybe the most important!

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