The holiday season brings festive décor, special foods, and busy gatherings—but it can also introduce risks for pets. Awareness of common seasonal hazards can help families celebrate safely while ensuring their pets remain comfortable and protected. The following overview highlights key areas of concern, from toxic items to travel considerations, along with practical steps to reduce risk.
Toxic Seasonal Items
Many traditional holiday elements can be harmful if a pet ingests or interacts with them.
Common toxic exposures include:
- Chocolate, xylitol, and other foods: Chocolate contains theobromine, which is dangerous for dogs and cats. Sugar-free baked goods and candies may contain xylitol, a sweetener that can trigger sudden hypoglycemia and liver damage. Grapes and raisins can be lethal to dogs. Fatty foods and table scraps can also lead to gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis. For a more comprehensive list of toxins, check out the ASPCA pet poison control website https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets.
- Holiday plants: Lilies, mistletoe, and holly can irritate the gastrointestinal tract or cause more serious illness, depending on the species and amount ingested. While we don’t recommend letting your pets eat poinsettia, contrary to its bad reputation, it is generally only mildly toxic.
- Essential oils and scented products: Diffusers, concentrated oils, and potpourri can irritate the respiratory tract or cause toxicity when ingested or applied to the skin.
- Alcohol and Marijuana: Keep these out of the reach of pets. Marijuana poisoning is surprisingly common- as of the writing of this article, it was the 5th most common poisoning reported in dogs in North Carolina (https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/toxin-trends/).
- Prevention Tip: Keep food, plants, and scented items well out of reach, and ensure guests understand house rules about feeding pets.
Foreign Body Risks
Many pets, especially young or curious ones, may be tempted by new objects brought out for the holidays.
Items to watch closely include:
- Tinsel and ribbon: Cats in particular are drawn to linear objects, which can cause life-threatening intestinal obstructions when swallowed.
- Ornaments and hooks: Broken ornaments can cause cuts, while intact decorations pose choking or blockage risks.
- Prevention Tip: Supervise pets around decorations and consider pet-friendly alternatives such as fabric ribbons or shatterproof ornaments placed higher on the tree. New pet? Try putting up a tree with no decorations first to see how they react, then decide how much bling to add.
Travel Safety
Holiday travel often means longer car rides or unfamiliar environments for pets. A few precautions can make the experience smoother and safer.
- Use secure restraints: Cats and small dogs should travel in a pet carrier. Larger dogs should ride in a harness/ dog seatbelt or secured crate to prevent injury during sudden stops.
- Prepare for motion sickness and anxiety: Talk with the Doctors at Friendship Animal Hospital or your veterinarian about medications, supplements, or strategies to reduce travel stress.
- Pack essentials: Bring food, water, medications, vaccination records, and a familiar blanket or toy.
- Research destination requirements: Some states, boarding facilities, and airlines require current health certificates, microchips, or specific vaccinations.
- International travel: Traveling internationally with your pet can be complicated. Allow plenty of time before your trip to research travel requirements, as they can be different for each country and involve several governmental agencies. Learn more at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
- Prevention Tip: Plan ahead for holiday travel. Keep a copy of your pet’s medical records with you when you travel in case they need emergency care. Boarding and pet sitting reservations fill up quickly, so schedule these as soon as possible.
House Guests and Routine Changes
Visitors and altered household routines can be stressful for pets and increase the risk of accidental exposure to hazards.
- Secure personal belongings: Suitcases often contain medicines, sugar-free gum, snacks, and other potential toxins. Provide a designated place for guests to store their bags out of reach.
- Provide quiet spaces: Some pets benefit from a quiet room with their bed, water, and familiar items to retreat from noise and activity.
- Monitor doorways: Guests may not be accustomed to pets attempting to slip out. Consider using baby gates or visual reminders to prevent escapes.
- Reinforce boundaries: If your pet is uncomfortable with unfamiliar people, prepare guests in advance and advocate for space when needed.
- Collars and Microchips: Should your pet escape, collars with ID tags or an implanted microchip can help get them back home. Make sure that the contact information on their tag or linked to their microchip is up to date.
- Prevention Tip: Establish a routine as close to normal as possible; predictable feeding, exercise, and rest times help reduce stress.
Final Thoughts
With a little preparation, families can enjoy a festive and safe holiday season alongside their pets. Recognizing common risks—such as toxins, foreign bodies, travel challenges, and changes in household activity—allows pet owners to make informed decisions and prevent emergencies. If you have questions about holiday safety or if you suspect your pet has been exposed to a hazardous item, contact the veterinary team at Friendship Animal Hospital or your local veterinarian promptly for guidance.
