St. Patrick's Day With Your Dog: Safety and Outfit Tips

Keep drinks and party food out of reach

Alcohol is the biggest holiday risk. The ASPCA says pets can show depression and drunkenness within about an hour of drinking green beer or another alcoholic drink, along with trouble walking, vomiting and diarrhea, and a dog that drinks a lot may inhale vomit and develop aspiration pneumonia. Never leave drinks on the floor or on low tables where a dog can reach them.

At a party, give your dog a quiet room away from the crowd with a treat-stuffed toy or puzzle mat, and ask guests not to share human food. Keep plates off counters if your dog steals, and secure trash cans, since food-filled bags are an easy target for a curious dog. If you are also planning something green for your dog to wear, our dog holiday outfits are covered further down.

Corned beef, cabbage and soda bread

Corned beef is a poor choice for dogs. VCA Hospitals notes that a single piece can hold over 3,000 mg of sodium, plus preservatives, herbs and spices that may make a dog sick, and its high fat content can cause stomach upset and pancreatitis. Cabbage is a gassy food and can leave a dog uncomfortable.

Irish soda bread often contains raisins or currants, which are highly toxic to dogs and can injure the kidneys, and even raisin-free versions are high in fat. If you want your dog to share the day, plain cooked green beans, carrots or sweet potato are safer treats. Never offer a toxic food in a 'small' amount to be polite; if raisins or currants were eaten, call your vet or poison control right away.

Shamrock plants and decorations

The shamrock plants sold at this time of year are usually Oxalis species. The ASPCA says small amounts can cause stomach upset, drooling and head shaking, and large amounts can lower blood calcium and damage the kidneys. Their bitter taste puts most animals off, but keep the pots out of reach anyway.

Keep decorations off the floor. Coins, beads, string and small trinkets can be chewed or swallowed, and long streamers are a hazard if a dog tugs them. After the party, check the floor for dropped beads and bottle caps before your dog does.

Choosing a green outfit that is safe to wear

A green bandana, jacket or simple costume is a fun way to include your dog, and comfort should decide the choice. Choose an outfit that lets your dog walk, sit, see and breathe normally, with no tight neck or leg openings and nothing dangling that could be chewed off. If your dog is fussy, start by letting it wear the outfit for a few minutes indoors with treats, and stop if it freezes, hides or tries to scratch it off.

For a general dress-up option, a holiday pet outfit is one style of costume to compare, and you can browse every dog holiday outfit we carry. Check the fit against your dog's measured chest and length rather than its weight alone, and take the outfit off if your dog gets hot, since a costume can trap heat.

Parades, crowds and noise

Parades and busy bars can be overwhelming for dogs. Loud music, crowds, dropped food and stepping feet are all stressors, and a frightened dog can slip a collar and bolt. If you go, keep your dog on a short, secure leash, consider a harness that fits well, and watch for yawning, lip licking, panting or pulling away that says it has had enough.

Many dogs have a better day at home or a quiet walk. You can still mark the occasion with a photo in a holiday outfit on the sofa, a puzzle toy and a plain treat.

When to call your vet

Call your vet right away if your dog drank alcohol, ate raisins, currants, soda bread with raisins or a shamrock plant, or swallowed a decoration. Signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, wobbliness, tremors, tiredness or a swollen belly mean you should be seen the same day.

Poison control is available around the clock: ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply. Have your dog's weight and what it ate ready.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.