Deck the Halls! How to Keep Your Pets Safe Around Holiday Decor and More

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As much as we love decorating for the holidays, there are some hazards associated with decorations, treats, and gifts that all pet owners should be aware of. Of course, you’re still going to have festive doodads in your home, but with a little care and planning, you can keep your pet safe and healthy during this special time of year. 

Here are some simple and easy ways to keep your home as pet friendly as possible this holiday season! 

Hide Electrical Cords

Electrical cords are dangerous as pets can chew on them, which can result in accidental electrocution or in pets swallowing bits of cord. This is especially worrisome around puppies who are teething, but it can also be a hazard for older pets. Whether you have a Christmas tree, electric menorah, or other holiday lights, it’s important to cover and hide all electrical cords. 

Take Care with Christmas Trees

To a pet, Christmas trees and the decorations on them can look like toys. Along with ensuring the tree is securely anchored, make sure you place ornaments and lights on higher branches, out of reach of their paws. Avoid tinsel, which is highly dangerous if ingested and may require emergency surgical removal. If you have a live tree, vacuum or sweep stray pine needles; if ingested, they can also cause stomach and intestinal irritation.  Keep the water at the base of a live Christmas tree covered to prevent your pet from drinking it, as it may contain pesticides or other harmful chemicals.

Avoid Toxic Holiday Plants

Avoid having holiday plants in your home that are toxic to pets, such as holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, and Christmas lilies, as these can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or more severe symptoms. Signs a pet has ingested a poinsettia may include drooling and loss of appetite; signs of mistletoe ingestion may include weakness, slow heart rate, and difficulty breathing. If you must have these plants in your house, at least make sure they are well out of reach, though it’s better not to have them at all. If you discover that your pet may have eaten any of these toxic plants, call your vet or the ASPCA Poison Control number as your pet may need immediate treatment.

Monitor Gift Wrapping Supplies

Ribbon, tinsel, string, and wrapping paper may be deadly if swallowed, especially to cats, and can create a life-threatening obstruction in the stomach and intestines. Avoid using these in the house when possible, or once gifts are opened, make sure to toss these items so they are not lying around. Keep this in mind when leaving wrapped gifts under the tree as well.

Watch Out for Treats in Stockings and Gifts

Chocolate is toxic to dogs whether it's in stockings, Advent calendars, or Hanukkah gelt - so keep all chocolate out of reach of pets. Also, if you have a dedicated stocking for your pet, make sure they don’t gobble all their treats at once, as this could trigger stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you put toys in your pet’s stocking, look for ones that are as durable as possible. You don’t want your pet to chew off bits and pieces and swallow them, which can sometimes require surgical removal.

Go Easy on Table Scraps and Snacks

Many of the foods we love to feast on during the holidays are actually harmful and hazardous to our pets, especially rich, fatty foods like turkey or ham skin, foods with cream and butter, and many more. These can cause diarrhea or, in more severe cases, a potentially life-threatening disease called pancreatitis, which causes symptoms like vomiting, stomach pain, restlessness, shaking, diarrhea, fever, and weakness. Dogs are known to dig in the trash for bones, which may get stuck in their throats or damage their intestines, so keep an eye on leftovers and seal all trash bags and take them out as soon as possible. Finally, be sure to keep human beverages and snacks out of reach; alcohol, chocolate, and artificial sweeteners like xylitol are known to be toxic for pets.

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. With just a few precautions, you can keep your holidays happy and safe for all of your furry family members. For more advice, tips and information, visit the Pumpkin Care Blog.