Author: Haley Gibbs
It’s time to embrace the luck of the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day! On March 17, as you paint the town green, remember your furry friend as you celebrate to keep them safe and happy during this festive and fun-filled holiday.
When the Leprechaun Visits
Traps, green galore, and chaos ensue when the leprechaun comes around! As parents think of what the leprechaun is planning when they visit, remember to think of your dog’s safety: make sure your dog doesn’t get into anything that might be dyed green, anything that induces psychoactive effects, or any “gold” such as chocolates or plastic decor by ensuring they’re far away from your pup’s curious mouth, nose, and paws. Another great way to keep your dog safe is to crate them or confine them to a single room as you engage in St. Patty’s festivities.
If your children are working on their plan to catch the leprechaun, keep an eye on the trap they lay out to make sure your pup stays safe.
Hostess Tips
Any large gatherings might be stressful for your four-legged friend. So, even if your pup is staying home with you for the party, try to tire them out before guests arrive. By tiring them out through an exhilarating activity, they’ll have less pent-up energy to release in the form of anxiety once your gathering begins.
Since not all dogs like it when other people are in their homes, they can get stressed more easily. When a dog is stressed, they usually prefer a more compact space because it provides them with a sense of security and safety. If you have a distressed or anxious pup, crate your dog or confine them to a single room if possible to make them feel more comfortable.
As guests arrive, make sure they know house rules that your dog needs to adhere to such as if your pup shouldn’t go in certain rooms, be let outside on their own (as with Fourth of July, loud celebratory sounds can actually spook your dog and/or cause them to flee), or if they shouldn’t be handed food scraps. Also be certain to inform your guests if your dog has any behavioral issues.
Offer your dog some tasty treats and their favorite toys to help them take their minds off the commotion or to reward them for good behavior. Natural Farm has a complete range of all-natural chews, treats, and bones which can provide healthy distractions for your pup to enjoy.
Natural Farm’s new Braided Collagen Sticks, for example, are braided for added chew time and engagement and offer your pup delicious and well-rounded health benefits as they chew.
Just don’t leave your dog alone with their chews as this could be unsafe for them if they don’t chew them properly.
If Your Pup Isn’t Invited to the Party
When your furry friend isn’t invited to the party, there are a few preparations that can help ensure your dog will remain calm, safe, and have a positive experience while you’re out celebrating.
Make sure to give your dog plenty of exercise before you leave so they are tired and ready to snooze while you’re away. A great tip so your dog feels less lonely is to play soothing music or have the TV on a low volume in the background to provide your pup with an easy distraction of white noise so they don’t hear any outside celebrations that might be happening.
When you’re planning to leave, you can give your dog a special treat to enjoy while you’re still home with them, like Natural Farm's Chicken Feet, which offer a high-value treat that is light and crunchy that your dog will devour! Also be sure to keep your dog hydrated while you’re away!
If you’re going to be gone for an extended period, see if someone can stop by to let your dog outside to go to the bathroom and feed them a meal if it overlaps with their feeding time. Or, consider sending your dog to doggy daycare for the day (make sure to check on pickup times though!) so they aren’t alone for too long.
General Safety Tips
Even beyond holidays, during everyday life, here are a few things to remember to keep your dog safe:
- Keep emergency contact info in an easy-to-reach place including your veterinarian’s info, a 24/7 emergency veterinarian, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control number (888-426-4435) in case you think your pup ate something that’s toxic for them.
- Nothing is better than a dog’s wagging tail, but be mindful of where you place candles and other breakable decorations that can be easily knocked over when your pup gets excited.
- Keep your dog away from seasonal decor, especially if it’s breakable decor that can easily shatter, as it can easily become a danger for your dog if they step on a sharp object or eat something they aren’t supposed to.
- Remember that chocolate, garlic, macadamia nuts, almonds, onions, grapes/raisins, xylitol, alcohol, and coffee are all hazardous for dogs to ingest.
- Be mindful of how long your dog stays outside, especially if you live in a colder or warmer climate.
Natural Farm is an all-natural dog treat company that makes a variety of healthy chews, treats, and bones your dog will love this St. Patty’s Day, visit our store page to see our entire collection!
About Natural Farm
In 2018, after years of searching for high-quality, natural dog treat products, we decided to bring them to the market ourselves. That’s how Natural Farm was born—we wanted to present the industry with what it lacked the most: natural dog chews, treats, and bones, sustainably sourced from local suppliers and produced in our own human-grade, FDA- and USDA-approved facilities, where every product is lab tested for quality and contamination.
Natural Farm is committed to pets, people, and the planet. We give back to communities and pets in need, support reforestation efforts and nonprofits, and our products are packaged using recycled materials.
