Holiday Safety for Pets: Keeping Your Furry Friends Merry and Bright
The holiday season is full of joy, twinkling lights, delicious food, and family gatherings — but for pets, it can also be a minefield of hazards. From toxic foods to dangerous decorations, many of our festive traditions pose serious risks to dogs, cats, and other companion animals. Here’s your comprehensive guide to keeping your pets safe this holiday season.
- Secure trash cans (pets love raiding them)
- Keep human food and drinks out of reach
- Anchor your Christmas tree
- Skip tinsel if you have puppies or cats
- No people food scraps
- Provide a quiet retreat space
- Double-check plants and decorations
- Update ID tags/microchip
By taking a few simple precautions, you can protect your pets and enjoy a truly happy — and safe — holiday season together.
Wishing you and your four-legged family members a safe and joyful holiday!
(If you think your pet has ingested something toxic, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control immediately — don’t wait for symptoms to appear.)
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
(888-426-4435) is available 24/7 (fee applies).
1. Dangerous Holiday Foods
Many classic holiday treats are toxic or harmful to pets.
- Chocolate: Contains theobromine and caffeine — both toxic to dogs and cats. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous.
- Xylitol: This artificial sweetener (found in sugar-free gum, candies, and some baked goods) can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia and liver failure in dogs.
- Grapes and raisins: Even small amounts can cause acute kidney failure in dogs.
- Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks: Damage red blood cells and can lead to anemia.
- Macadamia nuts: Cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs.
- Alcohol: Even small amounts can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature.
- Fatty table scraps: Can trigger severe pancreatitis.
- Bones (especially cooked turkey or ham bones): Can splinter and cause choking or intestinal perforation.
Safe alternatives: Plain cooked turkey (no skin, bones, or seasoning), plain sweet potato, green beans, carrots, and apple slices (no seeds).
2. Toxic Plants
Beautiful but deadly:
- Poinsettias: Mildly toxic; cause drooling and vomiting.
- Holly & Mistletoe: Can cause severe gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Mistletoe berries are toxic to humans too!, Best is to make sure you don’t have the berries in your home at all.
- Lilies (especially Easter, Tiger, and Day lilies): Extremely toxic to cats — even small amounts can cause fatal kidney failure.
- Amaryllis: Toxic to dogs and cats.
Tip: Keep all plants out of reach or opt for pet-safe alternatives.
3. Decoration Hazards
- Tinsel & ribbon: Puppies & cats especially love these, but they can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages (“linear foreign body”).
- Christmas tree ornaments: Glass ornaments can shatter and cut paws or mouths. Hang fragile ones high.
- Tree water: May contain fertilizers, preservatives or bacteria. Cover the tree stand.
- Electrical cords & lights: Chewing can cause burns, electrocution, or oral injuries.
- Candles & potpourri: Risk of burns or toxic ingestion (liquid potpourri is especially dangerous).
- Snow globes: Many older ones contain antifreeze (ethylene glycol) — highly toxic if broken and licked. See the Extra Caution List Below
Extra Caution with Vintage Decorations(Pets & People)
Many People enjoy vintage ornaments, and have displayed them safely for decades with these precautions, but very old, damaged, or heavily flaking pieces are best treated as display-only (or retired entirely if they contain mercury or asbestos).
- Display them high out of reach of children and pets.
- Handle with gloves if they’re flaking or very old.
- Never put them on a tree in a child’s room.
- Store in sealed plastic bins (reduces dust release).
- Consider displaying them in glass domes or shadow boxes instead of hanging.
- Test suspicious ornaments with a home lead kit or a Geiger counter if you’re concerned about uranium glass.
4. Stress & Escape Risks
The holidays can be overwhelming for pets.
- Increased noise and visitors: Can cause anxiety in sensitive animals.
- Open doors: More people coming and going = higher escape risk.
- Travel stress: Car rides, unfamiliar places, or boarding can be hard on pets.
Solutions:
- Create a quiet “safe zone” with their bed, toys, and water.
- Keep ID tags and microchip info updated.
- Never leave anxious pets unattended with access to exits.
5. Cold Weather Dangers
Sometimes the things we do to keep people safe can be dangerous to our pets. (See Ice melts, check the label, and if possible keep your dogs in areas that these products are not used in.)
For pets spending time outdoors:
- Antifreeze: Sweet taste but deadly — even small licks can be fatal.
- Ice melts & rock salt: Can irritate paws and be toxic if ingested.
- Hypothermia & frostbite: Especially risky for short-haired, small, or senior pets.
Wipe paws after walks or exposure and consider using booties or paw balm.
6. Gift & Toy Safety
- Small toys, batteries, and packaging: Choking or intestinal blockage hazards.
- Chocolate gift baskets: Keep out of reach.
- New pet toys: Ensure they’re size-appropriate and durable.
Emergency Signs to Watch For
Seek immediate veterinary care if your pet shows:
- Vomiting or diarrhea (especially with blood)
- Lethargy or weakness
- Seizures or tremors
- Difficulty breathing
- Bloated abdomen
- Excessive drooling or oral burns
Keep your vet’s number and the nearest 24-hour emergency clinic handy.