Pet Holiday Safety Tips: Top 10 Holiday Hazards for Pets

The holidays are a busy time for everyone, including our pets! With all of the hustle and bustle, it's easy to become distracted from everyday pet safety, and that can put your best pal at risk. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to avoid dog disasters and cat catastrophes — and ensure a holly, jolly season for all. Below we share 10 common holiday hazards for pets, along with actions you can take to help keep your pets safe.

1. Holiday Foods

Tasty treats abound during the holiday season, but that means there are hazards for your pet at every table, too.

Chocolate, a holiday staple, is toxic to cats and dogs, particularly if it's dark chocolate or if it's consumed in significant quantities. Table scraps can cause GI upset or even pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas leading to vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Grapes and raisins, found in some holiday recipes, can cause acute kidney failure. Artificial sweeteners like xylitol — often used in sugar-free candies, gums, and baking — can lead to acute hypoglycemia, collapse and even death if your pet eats even a small amount.

Pet safety tip: To keep your pets healthy this holiday season, keep holiday treats out of their reach. Stick to your pet's regular pet food or the occasional pet treat as a holiday snack — keep the human food for the humans!

2. Bones

It may be tempting to pass your dog a bone as a holiday treat, but think twice. Chicken or turkey bones from holiday meals can pose choking hazards or cause obstructions, and small pieces of bone can splinter off and cause damage to your dog's digestive tract.

"Bones can get stuck on teeth. They can get stuck in the back of the throat. They can get stuck in the esophagus and the gastrointestinal tract," said Dr. Ayeley Okine, DVM, in a recent Care Experts vodcast.

Even dog chew bones purchased as gifts can pose a hazard, as many are too hard and can cause fractured teeth. Round marrow bones can also get stuck around the lower jaw, requiring a trip to the veterinarian for removal.

"I tend to not recommend giving bones at all because I worry that a lot of dogs aren't used to having them," Dr. Okine said. "Or if they're in a situation with other pets they'll gobble these things down and not chew on them safely."

Pet safety tip: If you want to purchase your dog a special chew treat for the holiday, stick with pet-approved chews from the pet store, not cooked bones from your table. When choosing a chew treat, a good rule of thumb is that if you can't indent the chew with your thumbnail, it's too hard for your dog's teeth and could cause a fracture. Remember to always supervise your dog while chewing and take the chew away when it becomes small enough to swallow.

3. Christmas Trees

A Christmas tree is a beautiful addition to your home during the holiday season, but it also poses a risk to your pets.

Cats are notorious for climbing Christmas trees and knocking them down, risking injury to themselves and other pets. Pets may also chew on Christmas tree lights or consume tinsel, leading to dangerous GI tract obstruction requiring emergency veterinary care to address. Water additives used for keeping Christmas trees fresh may also be toxic to pets if consumed.

Pet safety tip: Keep pets away from the tree with solid barriers or by putting the tree in a room that pets can't access. Place breakable ornaments high on the tree where they are less likely to be disturbed by a curious pet. Avoid using tinsel, which is often tempting to cats and extremely harmful if consumed.

4. Candles

Candles are a lovely way to decorate for the holiday season, and for some, they are a key part of the holiday tradition. But with pets around, they can be dangerous.

Candles not only pose a fire hazard, but they can also potentially cause serious burns to curious noses and paws. Candles can easily be tipped over or pushed around by an inquisitive pet, posing a big risk to both pets and your home.

Pet safety tip: Never leave lit candles unattended. Keep curious pets far away from candles, and consider only using candles in rooms that pets cannot enter.

5. Holiday Plants

Decorating with or gifting holiday plants like poinsettia, holly and mistletoe is a common tradition. Unfortunately, all three of these common holiday plants are toxic to dogs and cats.

Poinsettias are irritating to the mouth and the GI tract, sometimes to the point of causing vomiting. Holly contains saponins which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and depression. And while American Mistletoe may grant you a kiss, it also causes vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and a low heart rate when ingested by a curious pet.

Pet safety tip: Keep holiday plants well out of your pet's reach, especially if your pet is the curious type who may try to take a bite!

6. Visitors

The holidays are the time of year for seeing friends and family, but this can be super stressful for your pets. Having new people in the house can be a big source of anxiety for many pets. Guests coming in and out may also inadvertently provide an avenue for escape for a frightened pet, creating extra risk.

Pet safety tip: Provide your pets with a haven such as their own quiet room or a cozy crate to curl up in while guests are visiting. Keep them safely locked away from open doors to prevent escape. Limit interactions with guests to help reduce your pets' stress. Ask your veterinarian about calming supplements or medications to help ease your pets' anxiety during these stressful times.

7. Trash

Is your pet a dumpster diver? Even if your pet does not usually like to get into the trash, holiday trash is filled with extra "goodies" like table scraps that can entice a curious pet to dive.

Be extra careful with your holiday leftovers and scraps, as eating trash can lead to big risks for pets! GI upset, pancreatitis and bowel obstruction are just a few of the holiday hazards your pet could encounter after diving into your trash can.

These can be emergency conditions, so spare yourself the vet trip and be extra cautious with your holiday waste.

Pet safety tip: Dispose of your holiday trash in a sealed, pet-safe container. Make sure leftovers and table scraps are disposed of quickly and securely to avoid any mishaps!

8. Electrical Cords

Many of us decorate for the holidays with extra lights and electric decor, and that means electrical cords and extension cords galore. Unfortunately, pets may chew on electrical cords leading to dangerous burns or electric shock. Electrical cords also pose a trip hazard for both pets and humans alike!

Pet safety tip: Keep electrical cords out of your pet's reach. If your pet likes to chew, consider using bitter apple spray (available at pet stores or online) on the cords to make them taste bad, so your pet will be less likely to take a bite.

9. Holiday Noise

Parties, music and fireworks can all be scary for pets! Many pets are sensitive to noise, and the holidays, while joyous, can be a noisy occasion.

Fireworks, a staple for New Year's celebrations in many regions, can be terrifying for many pets. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and panic — sometimes even resulting in pets becoming lost or injured.

Pet safety tip: Don't wait — talk to your veterinarian today about your options for fireworks phobia. Your veterinarian may recommend medication to help keep your pet calm and comfortable during the festivities. Be sure to keep pets indoors during holiday parties and fireworks, and give them a "safe space" such as a quiet room or crate where they can comfortably relax away from the noise.

10. Extra Treats

Be careful with holiday treats and table scraps — too many extras can cause digestive upset and excess weight gain. Remember that you may not be the only one slipping your pet some extras — your guests may be sharing their scraps with your pet, too!

Pet safety tip: While it's okay to give your pet the occasional holiday treat, stick to pet treats and leave the human food for the humans. A good rule of thumb is that treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's total daily calorie intake to prevent excess weight gain.

What To Do In a Holiday Hazard Emergency

If your pet experiences a holiday hazard emergency, first, do not panic. Contact your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency clinic for guidance. If your pet has eaten something he or she should not have eaten, do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. When in doubt, take your pet to your local veterinary emergency clinic for immediate veterinary care.

CareCredit Financing for Pet Emergencies

You can use your CareCredit credit card for pet care throughout the year for routine veterinary services as well as emergencies and surgeries.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a veterinarian near you that accepts CareCredit.

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Our Experts

Dr. Elizabeth Racine is a small animal general practice veterinarian and freelance writer. She covers both human and veterinary medicine with a special interest in nutrition, internal medicine, and veterinary behavior.