Mother’s Day | Celebrating Mother’s Day with your dog!

Mother’s Day is a special day to honour the women in our lives, mums, in-laws, Grandmothers, mother figures, best friends. Mother’s Day is for all those women who have stepped up and supported you.

Obviously, it wouldn’t be a celebration here at NDFC without including our fur babies, Purdy and Panther. They are an important part of our family and celebrating the day with them can be incredibly rewarding. However, with all the celebrations, gifts and food, it is important to keep in mind that there are a few potential dangers lurking for our dogs. Here are some tips to make Mother’s Day as dog friendly as possible, while keeping your dog safe and happy.

Food

Mother’s Day often involves delicious meals and it is tempting to want to share a treat with your dog. Some foods that are commonly gifted on Mother’s Day can be harmful to dogs. Chocolate, for instance, is a well-known danger to dogs. It is crucial to remember that chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Even a small amount can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and potentially more serious health issues.

Other foods to watch out for include:

• Onion and Garlic: These common seasonings are toxic to dogs and can cause long term damage to their red blood cells.
• Grapes and raisins: While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, these fruits can cause kidney failure in dogs.
• Xylitol: This sugar substitute, often found in gum and sugar free candies, is extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts.

If you are enjoying a meal or celebration with family or friends, make sure your dog has their own Natural Dog Food Treats.

If you are unsure if a food is safe for your dog it is best to keep it out of reach of them.

Flowers

Many people give flowers on Mother’s Day but did you know that some flowers can be dangerous to dogs? While a beautiful bouquet can brighten up the day, certain types of flowers can be toxic if ingested. For example:

• Lillies are highly toxic to cats, but some types can also cause digestive upset to dogs.
• Tulips and daffodil bulbs contain compounds that can cause nausea, drooling and even heart arrhythmias if consumed by dogs.
• Chrysanthemums can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs.

If you are decorating your home with flowers, make sure to place them somewhere your dog can’t get to them. You may also want to consider opting for non-toxic plants like, roses, sunflowers or orchids.

Gifts and decorations

Mother’s Day gifts can range from a beautiful new vase to scented candles and while those things might make your home feel festive, they could pose risks to your dog. Here are some common gift related dangers:

• Scented candles are a popular Mother’s Day gift, but dogs can accidentally knock them over, leading to burns or fires. It is best to keep lit candles on high shelves or in place where your dog can’t reach.
• Small decorations like small vases, glass figurines and other décor could be hazardous if knocked over. Keep breakable items out of reach, especially if your dog is an active one!
• Tissue paper, ribbon and wrapping paper may seem harmless but if ingested they can cause gastrointestinal blockages. Make sure your dog doesn’t chew on these items after they have been unwrapped.

Stress

While Mother’s Day is meant to be fun and celebratory, it can be fun and overwhelming for dogs, especially if there is a lot of commotion or guests in the house. Dogs thrive on routine and any disruption, whether it is new people, loud noises or unfamiliar smells, can cause anxiety. If you plan to host a big gathering, keep your dogs comfort in mind:

• Designate a quiet space for your dog to retreat to if they get overwhelmed. This could be a separate room with their bed, water and some toys to help them feel safe.
• Avoid loud music or sudden noises, like fireworks or party poppers as these can cause fear in dogs.
• If your dog isn’t great around crowds, it may be a good idea to have them stay in a calm area with a trusted friend or family member to ensure they aren’t stressed by the celebrations.

Dog Friendly Gifts

Sometime people buy gifts for dogs for Mother’s Day. While these seem like a great idea, it is important to choose gifts that are safe and appropriate for your dog.

Check out our Natural Dog Food accessories, perfect for gifting your dog on Mother’s Day, there are even a few pressies for mum too!

Keeping your dog safe

On Mother’s Day, your dog should be just as pampered and well taken care of as you are.

• If you are outside enjoying the weather, make sure your dog has access to fresh water at all times. Dehydration is a serious concern, especially if it is warm outside.
• Mother’s Day can bring about unexpected outdoor adventures as well as visitors to your home. Make sure your dog’s collar fits properly and that they have up to date identification tags just in case they get loose.
• Sweets and chocolates are a common Mother’s Day gift. If you are gifting or receiving any of these, be sure to keep them out of reach of your pets.
• We often have a lovely Sunday roast for Mother’s Day in our house, if this is something you do, be sure to keep your dog away from the food whilst preparing, cooking and eating. Make sure to ask guests to make sure if they do drop any food on the floor, they pick it up immediately and do not allow your pets to get the food. Many human foods are dangerous for pets and some can even be fatal.
• Remember all dog microchips have to legally be kept up to date. If you have checked the details recently maybe now is a good time to check.

Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for the special women in your life, but it is also a great chance to celebrate your dogs. By being mindful of the potential dangers around food, decorations and gifts, you can ensure that the day is enjoyable for everyone, including your dog.

With some careful planning and a few extra precautions, you and your dog can enjoy a safe, fun filled Mother’s Day. Whether it is a quiet day at home, a scenic walk or some Natural Dog Food Treats or accessories. Most of all have fun!

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