Christmas and Holiday Hazards: Keeping Pets Safe

The festive season brings food, plants and decorations that can harm pets. Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins and fruit cakes, anything with xylitol, onion-rich stuffing, cooked bones and alcohol out of reach. Keep lilies away from cats, skip tinsel if you have a cat, cover the tree stand, and give pets a quiet room away from guests and fireworks. If your pet eats something risky, call your vet straight away.

Festive Foods to Keep Away

Holiday foods that are risky for pets
Food	Where it hides
Chocolate	Advent calendars, tree chocolates, selection boxes, gifts under the tree
Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas	Mince pies, Christmas pudding, fruit cake, stollen, panettone
Xylitol (birch sugar)	Sugar-free gum, sweets, some baked goods and nut butters
Onions, garlic, leeks	Stuffing, gravy, sauces
Cooked bones	Turkey, ham and roast leftovers; carcasses in the trash
Alcohol	Unattended glasses, punch, rum-soaked cakes
Macadamia nuts	Nut bowls, cookies
Rich, fatty food	Skin, fat trimmings and leftovers

Wrapped chocolate under the tree is easy to forget: dogs can smell it through paper. Put edible gifts up high, and use a locking or lidded trash can for carcasses and leftovers. See toxic foods for dogs and cats for more.

Festive Plants

Lilies: the US FDA warns that true lilies and daylilies are very dangerous to cats, including the pollen and vase water. Keep them out of homes with cats, including in bouquets.
Poinsettias: the ASPCA says their danger is often overstated; they usually cause mild to moderate stomach upset. Still keep them out of reach.
Holly, mistletoe and ivy: keep them out of reach, and sweep up fallen berries.
Amaryllis and other bulbs: keep potted bulbs away from pets that dig or chew.

Birds are affected by some festive plants too; see plants and pet birds.

Trees and Decorations

Anchor the tree so a climbing cat or a bumping dog can't topple it.
Cover the tree stand: the ASPCA notes tree water can hold fertilizers and bacteria.
Skip tinsel and loose ribbon if you have a cat; the ASPCA warns that swallowed tinsel can block the gut.
Hang breakable and edible ornaments high, or use shatterproof ones.
Tuck away light cables and switch lights off when you go out.
Keep button batteries, gift wrap, string and small toy parts picked up.
Never leave lit candles where a tail or paw can reach.

Pet-Safe Holiday Kit

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A locking trash can for leftovers, a pet gate across the dining room, shatterproof ornaments and a cozy bed in a quiet room keep the season calm. A long-lasting chew or puzzle feeder gives your pet its own treat while you eat.

Guests, Noise and Routine

A quiet room: set up a room with your pet's bed, water and toys where they can escape the crowd.
Doors: with people coming and going, it's easy for a pet to slip out. Check your pet's microchip details and ID tag are up to date; see microchipping and ID.
Brief guests: no feeding from the table, and close doors behind them.
Children and pets: supervise visiting children around pets; see pets and children.
Routine: keep walks and mealtimes as normal as you can.
Fireworks: plan ahead for New Year; see fireworks and noise nights.

Thinking of giving a pet as a present? A pet is a commitment for many years, so it's best decided by the person who will care for it. See choosing a pet.

If Your Pet Eats Something

Take away anything left and keep the wrapper or packaging.
Call your vet straight away, or the nearest emergency vet if your practice is closed over the holidays. Check holiday opening hours before the day.
Some countries have animal poison lines, such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and Pet Poison Helpline in the US and Animal PoisonLine in the UK (these may charge a fee).

If your pet has eaten something dangerous, call your vet now. For any medicines or treatments, see your vet or a pet supply store with trained staff. Don't try home remedies or make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What owners ask about the holidays.

Are mince pies dangerous for dogs?

Yes. Mince pies, Christmas pudding and fruit cake contain raisins, currants and sultanas, which are dangerous to dogs. Keep them out of reach and call your vet if your dog eats any.

Are poinsettias poisonous to pets?

The ASPCA says poinsettias usually cause only mild to moderate stomach upset, so their danger is often overstated. Lilies are far more dangerous, especially to cats.

Can I give my dog turkey?

A little plain, boneless, skinless turkey meat is fine for many dogs. Avoid bones, skin, fat, stuffing and gravy, which can contain onion and garlic.

Is tinsel dangerous for cats?

Yes. Cats love to play with it, and swallowed tinsel can block the gut. It's best to skip it in homes with cats.

What if my vet is closed over the holidays?

Find out your nearest emergency vet and its holiday hours before the day, and keep the number by the phone.