State Farm and Trupanion are offering pet owners the gift of pet safety this season with simple tips to keep your furry family happy and healthy.

Oh, Christmas Tree: If you celebrate with a live Christmas tree, make sure it is secure so it doesn’t fall. Keep tree water clean and fresh but don’t add aspirin, sugar, or other additives to the tree water. If you prefer an artificial tree, don’t let your pets chew on the branches or on any ribbons or tinsel.

Candle Cat-astrophe: Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, blow candles out!

Poisonous Pretty Plants: Mistletoe and holly can be mildly toxic to pets when ingested. Poinsettias can cause mouth irritation if chewed on. Lilies can cause life-threatening kidney failure in cats. If you have holiday plants, consider placing them in rooms or locations where your pets don’t have access.

Wired Up: Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach.

Leave the Leftovers and Skip the Sweets: Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans. Bones, fatty and spicy human foods, and chocolate should not be fed to animals.

No Cocktails for Kitties or Canines: If your holiday celebration includes adult beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them.

A Place for Peace and Quiet: With all of the holiday activity, guests, and parties, it isn’t just people that get stressed out. Give your pet his or her own quiet space to retreat to away from all of the activity. If your pet is excitable or scared, consider putting your pet in another room with some toys and a comfortable bed.

You want to enjoy everything the holiday season has to offer with your furry friends but the unexpected can happen. If your pet does become sick or injured, you want to get your furry family member the medical care they need. Consider how pet medical insurance can be there for your pet when they need it most.

Fast Facts

• According to data from Trupanion, there is an increase of 294% in veterinary emergencies because of pets eating chocolate on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Ingestion of foreign material (ribbons, tinsel, wrapping, and more) is 10% higher than the daily average on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Burns to pets are 64% higher than daily average on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

In 2020, State Farm paid nearly $157 million dollars for over 3,185 dog-related injury claims. The highest month for number of claims and amount paid for those claims was March, at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown. Experts fear another disruption—this time cause by the easing of restrictions for activities outside the home—could lead to a spike in dog bite incidents.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week® is April 11-17, 2021. The National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition - State Farm, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Insurance Information Institute (Triple I), American Humane, and dog behavior expert Victoria Stilwell are urging people to take steps to prevent a surge in dog bites as the weather warms, lockdowns ease, and life returns to normal.

As pet owners return to the work place or school, pets will be left home alone. Behavioral issues such as separation anxiety could result in aggressive and destructive behavior. This could be a particular problem for dogs adopted during the pandemic. Many shelters and rescues experienced an increase in pet adoptions and fostering. People were home, feeling lonely, and had time for a new dog. Unfortunately, many of these adopted or fostered dogs have gotten the impression that normal life is quarantine life. Now is the time to get your dog ready for the transition to post-pandemic life.

DOGTV promotional offer

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Tips for successful dog interactions

Just like humans, dogs are individuals, and every dog has a unique personality. State Farm does not refuse insurance based on the breed of dog someone owns. While a dogs’ breed may dictate how they look, how a dog reacts in a situation isn’t guaranteed by breed or type. It’s important to remember that even well-trained dogs can bite if they are put into the wrong situation.

• Make sure your pet is healthy. Not all illnesses and injuries are obvious, and dogs are more likely to bite if they are sick or in pain. If you don’t have a pet medical insurance policy in place to cover illness or injury, talk to your State Farm agent or go online to learn how a Trupanion policy can help with medical expenses.
• If your dog has only been interacting with your family this past year, don’t rush out into crowded areas or dog parks. Try to expose your dogs to new situations slowly and for short periods of time, arrange for low-stress interactions, and give plenty of praise and rewards for good behavior.
• Gradually start arranging play dates with other dogs and people as allowed, and carefully increase the amounts of time and freedom together. This will help your dog get used to being with other canine companions again.
• Be responsible about approaching other people’s pets. Ask permission from the owner before approaching a dog, and look for signs that the dog wants to interact with you.

Upcoming dog bite prevention webinars - Click images to view details:

State Farm is a member of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week® (April 7-13, 2019) Coalition. The insurer joins the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), and American Humane to draw attention to dog bites and ways to reduce injuries to people and pets. State Farm is also one of the few insurance companies in the country that does not have a breed restriction list and does not exclude homeowner or renter insurance coverage because of the breed of dog owned. Under the right circumstances any dog might bite.

Information from the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition

• American Veterinary Medical Association estimates there are approximately 78 million dogs in U.S. homes and each year 4.5 million people are bitten or injured by dogs. “Even the gentlest dog can bite if they are in pain, feel threatened, or are competing for resources such as food or space,” said Dr. John de Jong, AVMA President. “Not only is it important to understand how dogs behave, it is important to understand how a dog may interpret our behavior.” AVMA’s ‘Jimmy the Dog’ video series lets preschoolers look at how a dog might interpret different scenarios.
• Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) reports that dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for nearly one third of all homeowners liability claim dollars paid out in 2018, costing $675 million. An analysis of homeowners insurance data by the I.I.I. found that the number of dog bite claims nationwide decreased to 17,297 in 2018, compared to 18,522 in 2017– a 6.6 percent decrease. The average cost per claim increased by 5.3 percent. The average cost paid out for dog bite claims was $39,017. in 2018, compared with $37,051 in 2017.
• American Humane says that dog bites are a double tragedy affecting both people and animals. “A dog bite can have a devastating effect not only on the victim, but on the dog, who may be euthanized,” says Robin Ganzert, PhD, president and CEO of American Humane. Because of the high risk involving dogs, babies, and children, American Humane offers a free online booklet called Pet Meets Baby that provides families with valuable information on introducing a new child to a home with a dog.

Professional perspective from Dr. Marty Becker and Victoria Stilwell

State Farm believes that educating dog owners about being responsible will help reduce dog-related injuries. The insurance company focuses on educating people and pet professionals about dog body language and safely interacting with dogs by working with two of the most prominent experts in the field of dog training and veterinary medicine; celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell and America’s Veterinarian, Dr. Marty Becker.

“Dogs don’t just bite ‘out of the blue’. Most bites are a perfect storm of situation and circumstance, but because dogs’ physical and vocal language is frequently misinterpreted or signals are missed, people often put themselves or others at risk and dogs are blamed as a result,” says Stilwell. “Education is the only way to reduce dog bite incidents in this country, which is why I am proud to stand alongside State Farm and other members of the coalition, to raise awareness about this issue and to educate people about dog bite prevention.”

“As a society we increasingly consider dogs to be family members and rely on them for unconditional love,” says Dr. Becker. “A clearer understanding of canine behavior and how our own actions can make us safer is essential if we want to continue to benefit from the presence of dogs in our daily lives.”

Tips on being a responsible dog owner

• NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a dog, even if it is a family pet. Children are often bitten by dogs in their own household.
• Make sure your pet is socialized so it feels at ease around people and other animals.
• Walk and exercise your dog on a leash to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation.
• Regular veterinary visits are essential to regulating the health of your dog. A sick or injured dog is more likely to bite.
• Be alert. If someone approaches you and your dog, caution them to wait before petting the dog. Give your pet time to be comfortable with the stranger.
• Understand and respond to changes in your dogs’ body language. Look at the eyes, ears, tail, and posture to know when your dog may be happy, fearful, or angry.

“Veterinarians, pet professionals, and pet owners alike want animals to have happy, healthy, full lives,” says Fear Free founder and CEO Dr. Marty Becker. “The problem is that humans and animals don’t speak the same language. When an animal is scared or in pain, we can’t explain that we’re helping them, so we have to show this through gentleness and species-appropriate actions.”

Since 2016, Fear Free has provided online and in-person education to more than 40,000 veterinary professionals, pet professionals, and pet owners. Fear Free programs provide pet owners and professionals with the knowledge and tools to look after a pet’s physical and emotional well-being.

“Understanding your pets’ emotions can improve their health and happiness and reduce the risk of injury to them and to people,” says State Farm assistant vice president Joe Strupek. “If State Farm can help responsible pet owners and pet professionals with resources to improve the quality of life for pets, we also improve the quality of life for pet owners. Then we truly are helping life go right for every family member – two-legged and four.”

Veterinary or pet professionals can learn more about becoming Fear Free Certified® by visiting fearfreepets.com. Pet owners can visit fearfreehappyhomes.com to access courses, articles, and videos to learn how to improve the physical and emotional health of their pets at home. Fear Free Happy Homes members also get access to monthly deals and a directory of Fear Free Certified Professionals.

State Farm and Animals

State Farm is one of the few insurance companies that doesn’t have a breed restriction list and doesn’t exclude insurance coverage because of the breed of dog owned. State Farm is involved in other programs to help four-legged family members and the people who care about them.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week – National Dog Bite Prevention Week is April 7-13, 2019. To draw attention to the importance of responsible pet ownership and educate people about interacting with dogs, State Farm and members of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition come together each year to share tips on reducing dog-related injuries.

Kindness is Powerful - Celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell teaches children the value of kindness to people and animals. Sponsored by State Farm, the program also educates kids about how to interact with dogs.

State Farm Arson Dog Program – Since 1993, State Farm has been providing funding for the acquisition and training of more than 400 arson dog teams across North America. The program helps law enforcement locate evidence of arson at fire scenes.

Neighborhood of Good - Neighborhood of Good connects people with their passion, such as animals, through volunteerism. Together, we can turn caring into doing.

Animal Care and Veterinary Insurance – State Farm’s Animal Care Services Policy provides property and liability business coverage for veterinarians, groomers, trainers, kennels or pet stores.

For a full list of what could be dangerous for your pet to consume, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).