Prepping the Pup for the Holidays

Picnics, barbeques, hiking excursions, road trips, cornhole tournaments, card games, or bonfires, however, you celebrate Memorial Day, there’s sure to be good times and good food. That being said, just as you meal prep, be sure you prep to keep your pup with these 3 tips to ensure they stay happy and healthy throughout the holiday.

1. First off, if your dog isn’t used to having lots of people around, make sure to ease your dog into your party plans. Invite guests to slowly extend their hand, palm up, toward your dog, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the stranger’s scent and get comfortable. Be sure to stay close to your dog when they’re meeting new people in this way so they don’t get spooked. 

If your dog is more sociable, outgoing, and is used to your friends and family, include your dog in the festivities. Make sure their favorite toys are out in the yard and accessible and invite your guests to get their dog fix in while the grill gets going. Which brings us to… 

2. Remember your dog is a part of the party too! Even as you play the role of host or hostess, be sure that you know where your pooch is at all times. If there’s a lot of in-and-out of the back door, make sure fences and gates are closed so your dog can wander around the yard without you having to worry. Similarly, if your yard isn’t fenced in, be sure to have the dog on a leash or yard chain and remember to bring them either in or out depending on your party plans. Also be sure to stick to their regular eating and outside schedules (or ensure they have access to their BrilliantPad), if possible. 

3. Finally, while some dogs are happy to clean up any dropped food morsels for you, make sure that these common barbeque dishes/foods stay out of the reach of your dog.

• Ribs, wings, and other bones – while it might seem sensible to give your dog a fresh barbecued bone to chew on, stick to the ones from the pet store. The bones from your favorite dishes are likely to crack and splinter which is a choking hazard for your dog or can quickly obstruct the intestinal tract if ingested.
• Onions & garlic – Tasty atop burgers and brats, onions and garlic are two things to definitely keep away from your dog. If eaten, these can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage, according to the ASPCA.
• Pretzels & Chips – While we often think it’s good to eat salty snacks in the heat to replenish our sodium levels, dogs will experience the opposite effect. The salt will quickly dehydrate your dog and on a hot summer day, this can be very dangerous.

Memorial Day weekend is a great opportunity to clock some much-needed family, friends, and dog time. Make the most out of your holiday weekend and be sure to properly prep your pup.