My kids are grown now, but I love to see friends with younger children sharing Elf on the Shelf photos this time of year. Maybe when my granddaughter grows up, my daughter will allow mischievous elves to take over the house. We shall see but, every year, these elves get into more and more mayhem online. And, while I think it can be a fun tradition for young kids, I worry. Mainly, I worry because of the related risks to the pets. If you’re a pet parent – as well as a parent or grandparent – you must consider the risks for your pets. I promise I’m not being a Grinch; I just want your beloved pets to be safe.
Elf on the Shelf Chew Toys
I’m sure they sell dog toys that look like the Elf on the Shelf, but that’s not what I’m referring to. My first concern is that the Elf on the Shelf looks a lot like a chew toy; especially for high-level chewers. If you have an avid chewer, beware of where you place your elf. Between the felt hat, the plastic face, and the filling, these festive elves represent a choking and intestinal obstruction hazard. I assure you your veterinary clinic doesn’t want to surgically remove elves from your pet’s bowels. So, keep that in mind when place your elf around the house, especially if you have a puppy.
Elf on the Shelf Mayhem
One of the most fun things about the Elf on the Shelf – in addition to their ability to motivate kids to listen to their parents this time of year – is that they are supposed to be mischievous. Like I said above, it’s fun to see all the viral videos of naughty elf behavior that parents come up with. From an elf seemingly shredding a frightened potato into potato chips with a cheese shredder to an elf stuffing Oreo cookies with toothpaste, the creativity does not disappoint.
Elf on the Shelf No-Gos
That said, some of these elves are putting pets at risk with their mayhem. Following are items and ingredients to avoid while setting your elf up every night:
- Toothpaste containing Xylitol, which is fatal to dogs and harmful to cats even in small doses
- Tinsel and ribbons, which can cause intestinal damage if ingested because they wrap around the bowels
- Gum and candy because our pets aren’t meant to eat that much sugar. Also, many sweet treats now contain Xylitol, which, again, is very dangerous to our pets – potentially fatal to dogs
- Cookies, chocolate, and sweets that our pets have no business eating and will surely eat in large quantities if left out all night
- Sprinkles that contain artificial colors and flavors, which our pets aren’t used to eating and can cause vomiting and diarrhea, plus contain tons of sugar
- Raw potatoes, which will definitely cause stomach upset, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea
- Shaving cream, which is full of chemicals and soap, therefore is best avoided
- Raw dough, which can also make your pet sick and can even cause alcohol poisoning in the pet if they eat enough of it
- Dairy products, which are usually flavored, fortified, and pasturized and don’t provide any benefits to our pets, rather can make them ill
Elf on the Shelf Safety
When planning your elves’ activities, always consider how you can prevent your pet from accessing the materials you use. From toy stuffing to edible products, you take a risk by leaving anything out all night while you and your family sleep. So, instead of taking a risk, consider the following to keep your furry elves safe:
- Have all the elf activities occur in one room – tell your kids you’re keeping the door closed because the naughty elves are making too much of a mess and could make your pets sick. (This is a great way to teach kids about what we can and cannot share with other species.)
- Have the elf be a not-so-naughty elf. Instead, have your elf read books, wash dishes, and walk the dogs overnight – don’t worry, we’ll still come for our midday walk! đ
- Keep your elf out front on your entryway or in your yard. There are a lot of fun things your elf can get into outdoors and having to go outside to see them is a great way to motivate your kids to get ready for school
Atlanta’s Best Pet Care Team
At Buckhead Pet Pals, we love to see families living and thriving, especially around the holidays. We consider your families part of our families and, therefore, hope this blog gives you some fun ideas for ways to incorporate Elf on the Shelf into your home safely. No matter how or where your elf shows up this year, we’d love to see his or her antics. Make sure you tag us on social media @buckheadpetpals!
Existing clients, please request dog walking and pet sitting services here. New clients, learn more about our onboarding process and scheduling software/app here. We welcome your questions and comments via phone at 404-303-0312 or email at office@buckheadpetpals.com.
Buckhead Pet Pals proudly serves Altanta, Buckhead, Sandy Spring, Marietta, and Roswell. Learn more about our service area here.
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