The holidays bring joy, celebration, and extra time spent with the ones we love (pets included). But while we’re enjoying the food, lights, and festivities, this busy season can also introduce hidden risks for our four-legged family members. From tempting table scraps and glittering decorations to noisy gatherings and open doors, the holidays can be overwhelming or even unsafe for pets if we’re not careful.
Let’s make pet safety part of the celebration this holiday season. With a few simple precautions, you can protect your pets from common festive hazards and make this season a happy, healthy one for everyone.
Dangerous holiday foods & “sneak treats”
The festive table is one of the biggest holiday hazards for pets, especially when friends and family can’t resist sneaking them a bite. For your pet’s safety this holiday season, keep human treats strictly off the menu – even small amounts of certain foods can cause serious illness.
Here are some foods to keep out of paw’s reach:
- Chocolate and xylitol: Both are toxic to dogs and cats, even in small amounts. Xylitol (found in some sweets, baked goods, and peanut butter) can cause seizures or liver failure.
- Christmas pudding and fruitcake: Grapes, raisins, and sultanas can lead to kidney failure in dogs.
- Bones and fatty meats: Cooked bones can splinter internally, while rich, fatty foods may trigger vomiting, diarrhoea, or pancreatitis.
- Nuts: Tree nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pecans are high in fat and can cause intestinal upset or choking. Macadamia nuts are especially dangerous, leading to tremors, weakness, and even temporary paralysis within hours of ingestion.
- Onions & garlic: Common in gravies, stuffings, and sauces, these can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia in pets
- Alcohol and fizzy drinks: Alcohol can cause severe poisoning in pets, leading to vomiting, disorientation, and even coma. Fizzy drinks and sodas are also unsafe due to their caffeine content, which, like the theobromine in chocolate, overstimulates the nervous system and heart.
Remind guests not to feed pets from the table and keep leftovers safely stored away. Instead, offer safe alternatives so pets feel included. Set aside a bowl of their favourite Complete kibble or a few healthy treats so they can enjoy the celebrations safely.
Decorations that can become chew toys
A dangling ribbon can look like the perfect toy, and a shiny bauble might seem irresistible to a curious cat or playful pup. But many festive decorations are surprisingly risky, so it’s important to keep pet safety in mind while decorating for the holidays.
Here are some common hazards to keep in mind:
- Tinsel and ribbons: If swallowed, these can twist inside the intestines and cause dangerous blockages that may need surgery to remove.
- Baubles and ornaments: Glass and thin plastic decorations can shatter and cut paws or mouths. Even soft ornaments can become choking hazards if chewed.
- Fairy lights and cords: Pets may chew on dangling wires, risking electrical burns or shocks. Hide or secure cords, and switch lights off when unsupervised.
- Batteries: If chewed, they can leak corrosive chemicals or heavy metals that burn the mouth and damage internal organs.
- Candles and fireplaces: Pets are often drawn to flickering flames, but wagging tails or curious noses can lead to burns, spills, or even accidental fires if left unsupervised.
Choose pet-friendly decorations like fabric ornaments, shatterproof baubles, or natural wooden pieces. Supervise your pets around the tree and keep playtime away from décor to ensure everyone enjoys a safe and festive season.
Pet safety tips for decorating with holiday plants
Festive plants make our homes feel bright and welcoming, but they aren’t all safe for pets. Some can cause irritation or even serious illness, so a little awareness goes a long way toward protecting your pet’s safety during the holidays.
Here are some of the most common offenders:
- Poinsettias: The milky sap in the leaves of this common Christmas plant can irritate pets’ mouths and throats, causing drooling, nausea, or vomiting.
- Mistletoe and holly: Both can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, and, in severe cases, an irregular heart rate or seizures.
- Lilies: These flowers are beautiful but highly dangerous to cats. Even trace contact with the pollen can cause kidney failure, so it’s best to avoid lilies entirely in homes with cats.
If you’re putting up a real Christmas tree, secure it properly to prevent toppling and keep pine needles swept up, as they can upset sensitive stomachs if ingested. And, if you love decorating with greenery, choose pet-safe alternatives instead, such as Christmas cactus, bromeliads, African violets and orchids. Your vet or local nursery can also recommend seasonal plants that are beautiful and safe for every family member.
Making celebrations less stressful for pets
Big gatherings, loud chatter, and a change in routine can all add up to stress for pets. Even the most confident cat or dog can feel unsettled when their space fills with unfamiliar faces and sounds. Your pet’s comfort and safety deserve extra attention during the holidays to help them cope with the excitement in a healthy way.
Set up a quiet room or cosy retreat where your pet can rest undisturbed when things get busy. Keep their food, water, and favourite toy nearby so they feel secure. Watch for signs of stress, such as panting, hiding, or pacing. If your pet seems uneasy, give them time alone until the house quiets down again. Overstimulation can lead to accidents or anxious behaviour, so try to keep interactions calm and routines familiar.
Preventing escapes during the festive chaos
Between open doors, guests coming and going, and fireworks in the distance, the holiday rush can create plenty of escape opportunities for pets. Even the most well-behaved cat or dog might bolt in confusion or excitement, so it’s worth taking a few simple precautions to keep them safe:
- Watch doorways: Assign a family member to keep an eye on entryways when visitors arrive or gifts are being carried in and out.
- Check collars and microchips: Make sure ID tags are securely attached and microchip details are up to date before the holiday celebrations begin.
- Keep pets indoors: Create a quiet indoor space where they can relax without fear or overstimulation during fireworks or large gatherings.
Make pet safety part of your holiday planning so you can enjoy a season with fewer worries and more time for the moments that matter most.
The best gift you can give your pets this festive season is a calm, caring home where they feel safe and loved. By keeping pet safety in mind throughout the holidays, from what’s on the table to who’s at the door, you’ll help them enjoy the celebrations as much as you do. With Complete Pet Nutrition, you can rely on balanced, science-backed food that supports your pet’s wellbeing all year round. Find our full range in stores nationwide or browse online.
