It’s a fact of life, puppies love to chew.  To a puppy, everything might be food; he’s just got to taste it all to make sure.  Nothing is safe from a pup’s inquisitive hunt for something to munch on, shoes, furniture and toys are all fair game.   Even items one might think would be too large for a puppy to grip aren’t safe – he’s liable to try and get his mouth around it anyway and try to nibble it down to size.

This behavior can certainly be a nuisance, but more importantly it can seriously injure or even kill a puppy who doesn’t know better.   A bar of soap, innocent as it may seem, can be both a choking hazard and toxic to a puppy’s system.   Frequently, pet owners are unaware puppies have ingested a dangerous object until it is too late to get to the vet.

In the kitchen, puppies can be tempted by leftover bones or turkey trussing twine, both of which can become lodged in the throat or intestines.  Puppies are attracted to the tempting smells, double wrapping discarded bones in foil or plastic zipper bags before tossing in the trash can prevent a tragedy. 

Puppies are naturally curious, which can lead them to investigate objects which may injure them.   Sharp objects he might find, including pins, glass shards, bits of plastic or wood can perforate your puppy’s esophagus or stomach.  Some items may be lodged in his stomach or intestines. 

In the bathroom, tub toys are particularly dangerous, as vets say one of the most common surgeries for dogs is to remove rubber from the gastrointestinal track.  Soft rubber can attach to a dogs stomach lining and may eventually cause a painful and potentially deadly blockage.

During Christmas, a string of lights left unattended are very dangerous.  Biting through the cord can give a puppy a potentially lethal 110 volt shock.  

Being extra vigilant around a puppy during the holidays is imperative to ensuring his safety.  Continually supervise him when he’s around ornaments, ribbon, wires, gift wrap and small objects.  Some old fashioned Christmas tree ornaments were manufactured with radium, which is extremely poisonous to puppies. Keep potentially dangerous items out of his reach, and remind other members of the family to do the same.

One particularly sad story illustrates how deadly the holidays can become for pet owners.  A child’s rubber ball and paddle toy broke, sending the ball flying.  A puppy snatched up the ball, which then caught in his throat and choked him to death, instantly ruining Christmas morning for the family and bathing it in tragedy.

It may be hard to tell an excited puppy “no” during happy holiday times, and often even scolding will not dissuade your pup from engaging in potentially lethal behavior.  Only careful planning and monitoring can prevent holiday tragedy for both you and your pet.   Why run the risk of ruining Christmas when a few easy steps can save a pet’s life?