Holiday Safety for Pets

Ensuring a joyful holiday season involves more than just decorating and celebrating—it also includes making sure our furry family members stay safe and comfortable. Whether you’re hosting large gatherings or traveling to visit loved ones, holiday safety tips for dog owners are crucial. Every year, thousands of dogs experience accidents or health issues due to common holiday hazards like toxic plants, rich foods, or enticing tree ornaments. Evidence suggests that small changes—like securing decorations at least three feet off the ground and choosing veterinarian-approved treats—can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. By focusing on proper supervision, planning, and adjustments to your usual routine, you can prevent injuries and emergencies. Most importantly, keeping your canine companion’s needs in mind allows everyone to share in the festivities without stress. Read on to discover practical strategies that will ensure your dog remains healthy, content, and truly calm throughout the entire holiday season.

Season’s greetings! The holiday season is already in full swing. This is an extremely special time of year. It’s really important for us to slow down and reconnect with our loved ones. This includes our furry friends! Fido and Fluffy truly make those lovely holiday scenes complete. However, you will want to take a few steps to keep your pet safe. This article features a local Peterborough, ON veterinarian discussing pet safety.

Holiday Pet Toxins

Poison is a constant threat to your pet, regardless of the season. Many common household items are harmful to pets. Household cleansers, automobile goods, insecticides, lawn/garden items, and medications would all be included on this list. Other toxins are more prevalent throughout specific seasons. Antifreeze is one major concern. It is particularly toxic to pets. Unfortunately, many animals like the flavor. Choose a pet-friendly brand. It’s also best to play it safe and clean up any spillage.

Safe and Unsafe Foods

Food is another worry. We all adore those delicious holiday feasts. Fido and Fluffy are also quite skilled at persuading us to share with them. While some things are safe, others can make pets very sick, and some are even fatal.

Here are some of the hazardous foods:

Sweets: Anything high in sugar is generally unsuitable for your pet. However, some items are more hazardous than others. Xylitol is one of the major issues. Also known as birch sugar, it can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in pets. Symptoms include weakness, tiredness, and vomiting. Seizures and black and/or tarry feces are examples of more dangerous symptoms. Unfortunately, consumption can cause liver failure, coma, and even death.

Chocolate/Caffeine: Chocolate is frequently at the top of the list of hazardous foods for dogs and cats, and for good reason. It contains something called theobromine, which pets cannot digest. In tiny dosages, it might produce nausea and diarrhea. Larger characteristics may cause seizures, heart problems, coma, or death. Even worse, the deadly amount is sometimes as low as one ounce per pound of a pet’s body weight.

Grapes, Currants, And Raisins: These small fruits are beneficial to humans but highly harmful to dogs. In fact, dogs can suffer organ failure after ingesting just one. The problem here is tartaric acid, which causes serious—and sometimes fatal—damage to dogs’ kidneys.

Meat On The Bone: Fido and Fluffy will undoubtedly take note of those scrumptious main courses. You can share meat, fish, and fowl with your pet, but only cooked, unseasoned meat that is free of skin, bones, and fat. Bones are particularly harmful when cooked. They become quite fragile and can break into sharp shards. These pose significant choking hazards and can cause major internal harm if consumed.

Other harmful foods include garlic, onion, and chives, avocado, uncooked dough, coffee, macadamia nuts, and anything high in salt, sugar, or fat. For personalized advice on holiday safety tips for dog owners regarding safe and harmful foods, consult your Peterborough, ON veterinarian.

Plants

These festive decorations can potentially be dangerous to playful pets. Many of these seasonal favorites are really harmful to our pets. Here are some of the ones to be wary of.

Holly contains methylxanthines, saponins, and cyanogens. If swallowed, these can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Poinsettias can cause gastrointestinal problems. In fact, consuming too many leaves can be lethal. Lilies are among the most harmful plants for cats. In fact, even nibbling a few leaves or drinking a little water can cause deadly organ damage in cats. Ivy includes triterpenoid saponins, which are harmful to pets. Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. Mistletoe produces the cytotoxin viscumin, which is poisonous to dogs. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory troubles, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, and heart problems.

That tree may also be unsafe! The needles are quite sharp, and the water could be contaminated. (More on that later.)

Stick to plants that you know are safe for pets. If you decide to get real plants, be very careful and keep them away from those furry paws! Keep in mind that even healthy plants might become dangerous if they are covered with glitter or decorated with small objects. Ask your veterinarian for further information on safe and dangerous plants.

Pets and the Tree

Those lovely trees make excellent centerpieces for any Christmas display. However, to pets, particularly cats, they are essentially enormous cat towers adorned with dazzling ornaments. We don’t have any foolproof solutions to deter Fluffy from climbing the tree, but we do have some suggestions.

Decorate carefully. Use dull, unbreakable materials for the lower branches. Keep the most delicate ornaments, as well as the majority of the lights and tinsel, on the upper levels. This way, if your pet knocks something off, it’s less likely to break. It’s also important that you choose the right location: If you place the tree near to a convenient kitty launchpad, such as a desk, chair, or sofa, you’re essentially giving Fluffy full rein to cause havoc. If feasible, position the tree in a corner. Also, cover the water bowl. If you get a real tree, be cautious with the water. It may contain pesticides, fire retardants, and other toxic residues.

Fallen needles, ornament hooks, and tinsel strands are all hazardous to pets if consumed. Keep these off the floor. Also, keep an eye on gifts: While some animals will ignore them, others will be quite intrigued. Bows, ribbons, and strings are all potentially detrimental to your pet.

It’s important to keep your pet, especially Fluffy, away from the tree. One thing that could help? Bribery! Try giving your kitty companion some of her new toys early on and letting her tire herself out with exciting play sessions. Hopefully, she will burn off her zoomies and focus on resting under the tree with the other gifts.

Be Very Careful With Flames And Fire

Holiday safety tips for dog owners should include vigilant fire management during festive celebrations. The cozy vision of chestnuts roasting over an open fire embodies the holiday spirit, yet it demands careful attention to ensure flames are safely contained. If your fireplace uses wood, lay a grate in front of it. This is simply a basic common safety precaution. Candles should also be stored in high places. Be careful with potpourri burners as well!

Holiday Safety Tips for Dog Owners in 2025

What are the risks of uncooked bread dough?

Uncooked bread dough poses significant health hazards for pets. As the dough expands inside the stomach, it can cause painful bloating or potentially life-threatening gastric dilation, which disrupts normal breathing and circulation. Additionally, yeast fermentation produces ethanol, leading to alcohol poisoning that may trigger vomiting, disorientation, or severe depression of the central nervous system. Even small amounts can be harmful, with symptoms sometimes appearing rapidly. Prompt veterinary attention is recommended if any dough consumption is suspected, as swift intervention can prevent further complications or permanent damage, ensuring continued pet safety.

What preparations should be made for holiday travel with pets?

Before holiday travel, schedule a veterinary checkup to ensure updated vaccinations and overall health. Pack enough medication and food for the entire trip. Secure a sturdy, well-ventilated carrier or harness for safe transit. Include familiar bedding or toys to reduce stress. Check that identification tags are current, and consider microchipping in case of unexpected separation. During long drives, plan frequent breaks for exercise, hydration, and bathroom needs. For air travel, review airline pet policies. Keep contact information for a nearby veterinary clinic on hand. Minimizing exposure to holiday decorations and festive foods can further prevent accidental ingestion or stress.

What emergency preparations should pet owners make?

Having a well-stocked pet first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, and any prescribed medications is advisable. Keep contact information for veterinary clinics and emergency hotlines in an accessible place. Ensure pets have updated tags or microchips in case they wander off. Familiarize yourself with local emergency clinics and potential household hazards, including toxic plants or leftover holiday foods. Secure chemicals, medications, and decorations that might attract curious pets. Clean up any spills right away, especially antifreeze, which can be fatal if ingested. Prompt, organized action helps prevent complications and promotes animal well-being.

How should kitchen safety be managed during holiday cooking?

During holiday cooking, keep pets at a safe distance from hot surfaces, open flames, and boiling liquids to prevent burns or accidents. Store raw meats and dough securely to avoid accidental ingestion, as these can lead to gastrointestinal distress or alcohol poisoning from yeast fermentation. Promptly wipe up any spills, especially those involving chocolate, sugary treats, or toxic ingredients like onion, garlic, or xylitol. Dispose of bones and food scraps in sealed containers to deter scavenging. Monitor stove knobs and keep utensils and breakable glassware out of reach. Supervising the kitchen helps reduce mishaps and keep pets calm.

How should pet owners handle gift-giving involving pets?

During festive gift exchanges, monitor pets to prevent them from chewing on ribbons, bows, and small ornaments that can cause choking or intestinal blockage. Secure items with potential hazards in sealed containers and discard wrappings immediately. Offer safe, pet-friendly presents, such as chew-resistant toys or treats designed for canine or feline consumption. Keep gifts containing toxic foods, like chocolate or raisins, well out of reach. Avoid giving pets new items loaded with unfamiliar smells that might trigger anxiety. Wrapping paper and decorative materials can be enticing but pose serious risks when swallowed, so consistent supervision is recommended.

Book An Appointment At Our Peterborough, ON Pet Hospital

We all wish you a happy Christmas season. Please contact us for all of your pet’s veterinary requirements. As your Peterborough, ON pet hospital, we are happy to help!