Pet Safety Tips: Staying Safe During the Holidays

The holidays are a joyful time filled with delicious food, family gatherings, and festive traditions. But while you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years, your pets may face a few hidden dangers.

From tempting treats to glowing menorahs, here’s how to make sure your furry family members stay safe and happy this season.

Be Prepared Ahead of Time

Always best to plan before an emergency happens. Take a few minutes to locate your nearest 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic and make sure you know the quickest route there. Talk with your regular vet ahead of time to confirm where you should go if your pet ever needs urgent care.

Keep important contact information in a place that is easy to find. You can put it on your fridge or save it in your phone. This way, you can act quickly when every second counts.

• Your vet clinic phone number
• 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic (if different)
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661

Pro Tip: Give yourself extra peace of mind with a VIP Petcare Membership Plan. Members have access to veterinary experts for advice and support — anytime, anywhere. A great way to make sure help is always just a call or click away in case of an emergency.

The holiday food may be too good not to share, but many traditional dishes can be holiday hazards for pets. Here are some common foods to watch out for:

• Latkes: Delicious but often made with onions or garlic—both toxic to pets. The grease can also upset their stomach and cause pancreatitis.
• Sufganiyot (Jelly Doughnuts): Sweet fried yeast dough treats and baked goods are high in sugar and fat. Sugar-free versions may contain xylitol, which is extremely poisonous to pets.
• Chocolate: Even small amounts of chocolate can make pets sick.
• Brisket and Fatty Meats: Too much fat can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or pancreatitis. Bones can also splinter and cause serious internal injuries.
• Alcohol: Even a sip of wine or beer can be toxic.
• Dairy Products: Sour cream, cheese, and other dairy treats can upset digestion. This is especially true for pets that are lactose intolerant.
• Nuts: Macadamia nuts are highly toxic to dogs, and all nuts pose choking risks.
• Fatty foods: Chips, dips, or leftover party food can upset their stomachs. They can even cause serious problems like pancreatitis.
• Grapes and Raisins: These can cause kidney failure in both dogs and cats.
• Potato Peels and Onions: Raw or green peels contain solanine, a natural toxin that’s dangerous for pets.

Tip: Keep all food and holiday treats out of reach and use pet-proof trash bins to prevent accidents.

Decorations and Traditions: Hidden Hazards

While holiday decorations and traditions brighten the season, they can also have hidden risks for pets.

• Christmas Tree Water: Often treated with preservatives or fertilizers, it’s unsafe for pets to drink.
• Tinsel: It looks fun to play with, but if swallowed, it can cause serious intestinal blockages.
• Ornaments: Fragile glass ornaments can shatter and cut paws or mouths, and edible or scented ones might tempt pets to chew on them.
• Menorah and Candles: Curious pets can easily knock over a lit menorah. Keep it on a stable, pet-free surface and never leave it unattended as well as other household items.
• Dreidels and Toys: Small objects can look like chew toys but pose like choking hazards.
• Chocolate Coins (Gelt): Pets may swallow foil wrappers, leading to intestinal blockages.
• Gift Wrap and Ribbons: Chewing on these can cause choking or digestive blockages.
• Balloons and confetti: Fun for celebrations. However, if your pet chews or swallows them, they can choke. They may also get a dangerous blockage.
• Lit candles, sparklers, and glow sticks: If you’re using any of these, keep them far away from curious paws and noses. can also cause trouble including burns and toxic reactions.
• Lights: Chewing cords can lead to burns, so keep them out of reach.
• Hot Oil for Frying: Whether making latkes or doughnuts, keep pets away from cooking areas. Hot oil can cause burns, and even cooled oil isn’t safe for pets to lick.

Noise, Guests, and Holiday Stress

Celebrations can be overwhelming for pets. Loud noises, fireworks, party horns, loud music, new faces, and constant activity may trigger anxiety or fear.

• Provide a quiet, comfortable space where your pet can relax away from the noise.
• Play soft music or use a white noise machine to help calm anxious pets.
• Make sure doors and gates stay closed it’s easy for a pet to slip outside unnoticed when guests are arriving or leaving.
• Remind guests not to feed table scraps, no matter how cute those puppy eyes are!

How to Keep Pets Safe and Happy During the Holidays

By taking some basic precautions, you can enjoy a safe and joyful holiday season with your pets.

• Supervise Candle Lighting: Keep pets in another room or place the menorah securely on a high surface.
• Store Leftovers Safely: Seal leftovers in the fridge and dispose of scraps in a pet-proof trash can.
• Give Pet-Safe Treats: Stock up on festive treats designed for dogs and cats so they can celebrate too!
• Check Decorations: Keep dreidels, gelt, tinsel, and small ornaments out of reach.
• Create a Calm Space: It is a good idea to set up a cozy spot for your pet. Include their bed, favorite toy, and water for your furry friend.
• Update Identification: Make sure your pet’s ID tags and microchip information are up to date. This is important if they sneak outside long term.

The holidays should be full of joy for both people and pets!  Celebrate the season with peace of mind your pets will thank you!