The holiday season is a time of giving thanks and spending time with friends, family and most importantly our beloved dogs. ZenCrate has taken it upon ourselves to collect a handful of helpful tips to keep your four-legged loved ones safe during the hustle and bustle. 

Creating a Safe-Haven

When planning your holiday parties, keep in mind your pets need a place to relax and destress from all the excitement. Create a safe-haven filled with a few toys, water, and a comfortable place for your pets to retreat to if they are feeling overwhelmed. 

No Sneaking Table Food

As tempting as it may be to treat your pets to a few table scraps, it’s best to avoid that due to the digestive problems caused from human food. As much we may find it harmless, if every person who attends your party slips a piece of food to your pet, it could cause upset stomach and a very untimely veterinary bill.

Dangerous Holiday Plants

Mistletoe, holly, and poinsettia plants are extremely poisonous when ingested and can cause your furry friends severe nausea and even diarrhea. The good thing is that there are plenty great of artificial plants made from silk or plastic to choose from! 

Hazardous Décor 

From tinsel, to tree ornaments it’s important for these holiday essentials to be kept high and out of reach from your pets. Tinsel and broken ornaments can cause potentially cause intestinal blockage.  

Here at ZenCrate, we strive to create and ensure our pets are as safe and relaxed during the busy holiday time as possible. We hope you and your furry ones have a wonderful and safe holiday season filled with lots of holiday cheer and treats!

For those of us that love to travel, making sure that our pets are well taken care of can pose a challenge. If you’re not into boarding your pet, the only option is to bring him or her with, and for those lucky dogs, we’re compiling our favorite pet-friendly hotels across the United States. These properties welcome pets and often provide dog beds and bowls, but as you’ll see with some of our favorite pet-hotel, some amenities are over the top luxury for your canine companion.

Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Here in sunny Miami, we’re all about the pampered pet. The Mandarin Oriental will walk your dogs once a day for free and also offers access to trainers through their Play Date and Training Dates. Your dog will also enjoy his own bed and doggy turn-down service.

Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Coronado

Surf’s up at the Loews Coronado Bar Resort. Known for their annual dog surfing content held in June, the Loews offers a pet program with a twist. Sign your dog up for doggy surfing complete with the whole surfer get-up. He or she will be hanging ten in no time.

Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek

The Ritz is known for unparalleled service and luxury and the same philosophy applies to your pets. Dogs at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch can enjoy tons of space to roam and run, in-room massages, a special room service menu, and plush dog beds. Dog fees range from $25 to $125 and are donated directly to the ASPCA.

The Muse Hotel by Kimpton, New York City

Specially made for city dogs, the Muse offers a doggy welcome package including treats, an umbrella, and even a dog mani-pedi for pampered pooches. Kimpton properties across the country are known for the dog-friendly policies and eccentric, boutique décor. Various Kimpton properties host doggy happy hours a couple times per week where dogs can enjoy treats and water while their owners opt for a more adult human beverage.

The W Hotel, Scottsdale

We love the the W Hotel in Scottsdale because of our shared love of “doga” or dog yoga. Dogs that stay at this property can get their child’s pose on, or opt for a more heart-pumping activity with their daily bootcamps.

For a complete list of dog-friendly hotels, check out DogFriendly.com to find a resort located in your next vacation destination!

It’s always tempting to slide your dog a piece of steak from the family dinner table, but many people aren’t sure which foods are safe for dogs to consume and which foods you need to avoid.

Here’s a quick breakdown on foods to avoid when it comes to your furry friends:

Alcohol

For the friend that thinks it’s funny to feed your dog beer your Superbowl party, alcohol is off limits for animals. This can cause a range of health issues including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, and difficulty breathing. If you suspect that your dog has gotten into your stash of booze, contact your vet immediately.

Chocolate, Coffee and Caffeine

The common denominator among all these items is a substance called methylxanthines, an ingredient found in cacao seeds. Among less serious health issues, these items can cause seizures or even death when imbibed in excess.

Macadamia Nuts

Although Macadamia Nuts may only cause a temporary issue in dogs, they could cause weakness, depression, nausea, or digestive issues for a period of 12 to 48 hours.

Dairy Products

Dairy triggers food allergies in dogs, so it’s best to skip the cream-based human treats that you might be tempted to share. Diarrhea and digestive issues can also result from ingesting milk, ice cream, or yogurt.

Salty Snacks

Extra salty foods and snacks can make dogs extra thirsty, lead to excess urination and contribute to dehydration. Pretzels, popcorn, and potato chips fall into this category.

Grapes and Raisins

It is unknown what the exact ingredient is in grapes and raisins that causes harm to your dogs, however these food items have been known to lead to kidney failure in dogs. Until more information is made available, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog anything in the grape family.

Coconut and Coconut Oil

While most people believe that coconut oil is a cure-all for just about everything, it may not be safe for your dog in large amounts. There are properties in coconut and coconut oil that can upset your pet’s stomach and potentially cause diarrhea. Use caution and talk to your vet about these items before sharing them with your dog.

Raw or Expired Food

If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t feed it to your dog either. Check the expiration dates on things like eggs, lean meats, and produce to make sure that nothing has been spoiled.

If you suspect that your dog has ingested too much of any of the foods listed above contact your vet immediately. If you cannot get a hold of your vet, you can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.