The holidays are an exciting but stressful time that require a great deal of preparation. As a pet owner, you have the added responsibility of planning your holiday activities with your furry pal’s safety and comfort in mind. Before you become preoccupied with the season’s hustle and bustle, take precautions to keep your pet safe. Our Commonwealth Animal Care team describes harmful holiday pet hazards and how you can help prevent your pet from having an emergency during the most wonderful time of the year. 

Keep your pet out of the kitchen

Your pet may think you need their help in the kitchen, but they can cause you stress as you try to avoid tripping over them. Your four-legged sous chef is more of a hindrance than a help, so keep them out of the kitchen while you are preparing holiday meals and treats. By designating the kitchen as a pet-free zone, you can move around freely and also protect your pet from harm by preventing them from inspecting dangerous items such as hot dishes, sharp knives, or toxic ingredients. The easiest way to keep dogs out of the kitchen is to set up a physical barrier such as a baby gate. Blocking your cat’s kitchen access can be more challenging, and you may need to secure your persistent feline helper in another room while you prepare holiday foods.  

Refrain from sharing table scraps with your pet 

Many holiday celebrations’ focus is food, and your guests may be tempted to share their plates as they look at your pet’s begging eyes. For your pet’s safety, ask guests to refrain from sharing table scraps, no matter how cute your furry pal looks, because your pet can become severely ill if they eat any of the following holiday foods:

  • Chocolate
  • Xylitol
  • Unbaked yeast dough
  • Onions, garlic, and leeks
  • Raisins, grapes, and currants
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Alcohol
  • Turkey bones, fat, and skin

While you may choose to secure your pet in another area of the house during mealtime, you can also include them safely by giving them a healthy, pet-friendly holiday plate of their own. A small portion of plain, white, skinless turkey or other lean meat, and vegetables cooked without butter, oil, or spices will make your pet’s tail wag without causing harm. Should your pet consume something toxic, contact our Commonwealth Animal Care team during normal business hours, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center when our office is closed. 

Protect your pet from hazardous holiday decorations

Dazzling decorations bring holiday cheer, but they can be harmful to pets if you don’t take a few safety precautions. Common decoration dangers include:

  • Unsecured Christmas tree — Pets, especially cats, may attempt to climb the tree, which can cause it to fall if it isn’t secured properly. To avoid a tree-related pet emergency, ensure your tree stand is stable and consider bracing your tree by hooking it to a wall or the ceiling.
  • Tinsel —Tinsel is shiny, glittery, and stringy, which is everything a cat looks for in a toy. If your whiskered pal ingests tinsel, the strands can block their intestines, causing severe pain, and usually requiring emergency surgery. To keep your pet safe, avoid decorating your tree with tinsel. 
  • Ornaments — A broken ornament’s sharp edges can injure your pet, and salt dough ornaments can cause salt toxicity. Use ornaments that are pet-safe, or hang potentially hazardous ornaments in the Christmas tree’s higher branches, out of your pet’s reach.
  • Lights and cords — If your pet chews on lights or cords, they can sustain a serious electrical shock and oral burns. Make cords less accessible by using cord organizers, tape, and electrical cord covers. In addition, avoid hanging lights on your Christmas tree’s lowest branches.
  • Candles — Your inquisitive pet may burn their paw on a flickering flame or inadvertently start a house fire if their swishing tail knocks over a lit candle. Keep your menorah on an elevated surface, out of your pet’s reach. In addition, consider using battery-operated candles as a safe alternative to any live flame.
  • Floral centerpieces — While poinsettias can cause digestive upset, they aren’t toxic to pets. However, many popular holiday plants are toxic and can have life-threatening consequences. To prevent a potential pet plant poisoning, check out the ASPCA’s Poisonous Plant Guide to learn which plants are toxic to cats and dogs. Choose pet-safe plants for decorating, and keep any potentially harmful plants inaccessible to your furry pal. These plants are especially poisonous to pets:
    • Lily
    • Amaryllis
    • Yew
    • Holly and mistletoe

Consider your pet’s party style

Holiday entertaining brings unfamiliar faces and changes to your pet’s normal routine. Some pets enjoy having people over, but the commotion can be stressful for pets who are not accustomed to all the people and excitement. To keep your pet and party guests safe, follow these holiday hosting tips: 

  • Ensure your pet wears identification — Pets often run away during the busy holiday season, fearful of all the strangers and the commotion. Ensure your pet wears proper identification tags and is microchipped. Always ensure that your contact information is current, and the chip is registered.
  • Set up a safe space for your pet — Before party guests arrive, set up a quiet area in your house, such as a spare bathroom or bedroom, where your pet can retreat from the festivities should they become overwhelmed. For added comfort, include a cozy pet bed, calming music, and a long-lasting chew to help distract your pet. 
  • Consider calming aids — Many pet calming aids, such as a thunder vest and pheromone spray, can help anxious pets relax. 

The holidays will always be hectic, but, with some planning and preparation, they can be safe and enjoyable for you and your pet. To have your pet microchipped before holiday hosting or traveling, schedule this quick and easy procedure with our Commonwealth Animal Care team.