Keeping Your Pet Safe During the Super Bowl

It’s game day!  All the heart-thumping action centers around your TV to watch the biggest football game of the year. Loud cheering, new people, and smells of gameday snacks can be an exciting or even overwhelming, but there are a few things about a Super Bowl party that are downright dangerous for dogs. Keeping the event safe for pets doesn’t take much effort, just a little advance planning. Here are some tips to keep your pet safe for the upcoming game.

Avoid Food Fumbles

The typical menu normally contains lots of salty and rich foods, and while your pets might beg for a taste, their stomachs can’t handle the spices, heavy helpings of cheese, or excessive salt.  If they get into food left within their reach, they may be facing a painful bout of vomiting, diarrhea, or even poisoning.  Here are common game-day snacks to be cautious of:

• Chicken Wings – Your guests will be looking forward to the flagship snack, hot wings with dipping sauce to go along with the pulse-pounding highs and lows on the screen. If your pet ingests cooked chicken bones, they can break and become lodged in the throat or digestive tract.
• Appetizer Toothpicks – Toothpicks skewering meats and cheeses can tempt pets with their smell even after they’re discarded. If pets ingest toothpicks, they can get lodged in their throat or digestive tract.
• Alcohol – A dog’s body is not made to process alcohol. While some people might think it’s funny to give dogs some beer, it is no laughing matter and can be life-threatening in large doses. Whether it’s beer, wine, or a cocktail, alcohol consumption by pets can cause nervous system issues, vomiting, diarrhea, and hypothermia. To avoid pets getting into alcohol, be sure to keep cups off the floor and out of their reach.
• Chip Bags – Pets may be attracted to the scent of an empty chip bag, but they can get their heads stuck in the bag and suffocate.

Be sure to arrange your buffet and dining surfaces so food stays well out of reach of furry family members.

Garbage Interception

Our pets have a powerful sense of smell and can detect any leftover food particles on empty plates or coming from the trash.  It’s best to keep pets out of wastebaskets by ensuring they are secured. Animals who chew plastic plates, cups, straws, or utensils stand a good chance of ingesting bits of plastic, which can easily be dangerous.  Score extra points with your pet and feed them ahead of time with high-quality food from Steve’s Real Food, so they won’t be hungry.

Neutral Zone Infraction

Be mindful of your pets’ temperament around strangers or if they are prone to darting out the door.  If they seem a bit fearful of new people or display unsportsmanlike conduct, make them comfortable by creating a safe area where they won’t feel exposed with their favorite toy.  Designate a favorite spot in the house or backyard where there will be less noise and traffic.

Sack Anxiety Before It Starts

Food and treats formulated with CBD have been shown to relieve situational stress for pets.  If you have a nervous-prone pet, a little CBD before the excitement can do the trick. CannaGurt by Steve’s Real Food, is a goat’s milk yogurt with added CBD.  Fatty milk products help CBD take effect faster, and your pet will love the creamy taste.  Give CannaGurt to your pet about an hour before the excitement begins to lower their anxiety before new people arrive.

Your pets feel most comfortable around you, and there is no need to block them from game day fun.  With a few simple fixes, you can keep your pets calm and safe.