Heidi Ganahl, the founder and CEO of Camp Bow Wow and Home Buddies by Camp Bow Wow, offers the following tips to make the upcoming holiday season both safe and fulfilling for pets and humans.

1. Keep Those Paws out of the Candy Dish - Although chocolate can be somewhat irresistible at times, it can make your pooch very sick. Make sure all chocolate is stored away and out of reach from pets.

2. Stressing Out your Pet with a House full of Guests - The holidays are often filled with family and friends coming in and out of your house all day, everyday. Pets have a tendency to get very excited and stressed with the constant crowds of people. Have a room closed off where your pet can go to relax and unwind. Place blankets, food, water, and toys in the room and remember to check on your furry friend regularly.

3. Don’t get “Shocked”, Hide all your Extension Cords - Christmas lights are on the best indicators that the holiday season has finally arrived. However, extra cord and plugs can look like a chew toy in the eyes of your pet. To play it safe, tape down or cover all the cords in and around the house to avoid shocks. Unplug all lights when you are not home.

4. We didn’t Start the Fire - Keep all candles out of reach and placed on high shelves. If you plan on lighting up the fireplace, always make sure to use a screen.

5. Tinsel, Tinsel, Tinsel - This festive decoration can really brighten up a room but it is not the safest for your pet. Hang your tinsel high and secure so your furry friend cannot get to it.

6. Pet Vacation - If you are traveling for the holidays and prefer to leave Fido at home, remember to hire a pet sitter or to secure boarding accommodations for your pet. The sooner the better, now is the perfect time to finalize arrangements.