Winter Holiday Safety Tips

The winter holidays are all about family, food, and festive fun—and for many of us, that includes our pets. But while we’re decking the halls and lighting the menorah, it’s important to keep an eye out for some sneaky holiday hazards that could turn your celebrations into an emergency vet visit. Keep your celebrations merry and your pets safe with these holiday tips.

Deck the Halls, But Keep Decorations Pet-Safe

Decorating your home for the winter holidays is an age-old tradition. With a bright, decorated tree, seasonal plants, beautifully wrapped gifts, and other decor, it's easy to lose yourself in the holiday, but many of these decorations can present risks to our dogs and cats.

Christmas Trees

Christmas trees and twinkling lights add holiday magic, but for curious cats and dogs, they can also invite trouble. Cats, in particular, are often tempted to climb the tree—cue tumbling ornaments, swaying branches, and a triumphant feline perched at the top like a star, if the whole tree hasn’t toppled over by then.

Make sure your tree is securely anchored so it can’t be tipped by a curious cat or an inquisitive dog. Consider using a fire guard, baby gate, or other barriers around your tree to restrict your pet’s access to it. Regularly vacuum up fallen pine needles and any plastic or metal bits from the floor to keep them out of your pet's reach, and keep your pet away from drinking the tree’s water, as it may contain harmful bacteria or fertilizers that could make them sick.

Tinsel

Tinsel might be the final festive touch on your tree, but for pets, it’s almost irresistible—and very dangerous. Sparkly, stringy, and fun to bat around, tinsel can cause severe blockages if eaten, often leading to emergency surgery.

To keep your holidays happy and stress-free, it's best to ditch tinsel altogether, as most pets—especially cats—simply can't resist it. This includes tinsel garlands, small ribbons, and any string-like decorations that can easily lead to an emergency vet visit.

Ornaments

A simple spruce or fir transforms into a Christmas tree when it’s decorated with flashy ornaments and glittering lights. There are bulbs that glitter and sparkle—and resemble tennis balls—and ornaments that move, spin, or dangle, tempting to curious kittens.

Popcorn garlands, cookies shaped like snowflakes, and other edible ornaments are fun and festive, but they can pose a threat to your dog or cat's health. If you have a pet, you’re likely well aware of the lengths some pets will go for any food they can sniff out, so if you choose to use a food ornament, be sure to place it very high in the tree.

Glass ornaments, in particular, can be a cutting hazard. They look beautiful on the tree, but when curious paws or wagging tails knock them down, they can shatter into sharp pieces. Stepping on even teeny tiny fragments could lead to an injured paw—and that’s before we even consider the risk of pets chewing on them. Finally, don’t forget to watch out for the hooks used to hang ornaments and other decorations. They can injure your pet’s mouth and lead to internal injuries if swallowed.

Holiday Home Décor

Many households really get into the season by decorating their entire house. However, just like the tree, you should take the same precautions, especially when it comes to breakable items, such as figurines or snow globes, and small decorative objects like dreidels.

Snow globes are often made of glass which can cause cuts when shattered, and often contain antifreeze, a highly toxic substance for our pets. Cookies and gingerbread houses can be left out as decor, which are highly tempting to our dogs especially. Live wreaths carry the same hazards as real trees. Even dreidels can become a pet safety hazard. If your pet chews on one, small pieces could break off, creating a choking risk or causing irritation to their throat.

Lights

Stringing colorful, twinkling lights around the Christmas tree, banisters, or windows is a great way to bring the holiday spirit into your home. But these lights can be dangerous for pets, especially if they chew on the light cords. This can lead to electrical burns, shocks, or even a fire hazard if the wires get damaged. Active pets might also get tangled up in lights that are placed too low or within their reach, turning your festive décor into a tangled safety concern.

To keep your pet—and your holiday decorations—safe, it’s best to keep those dazzling lights out of their reach, and always check cords for any damage. Try to hang the lights up high off the ground, especially on Christmas trees, and keep an eye on your pet if the lights are within their reach. Only turn them on when you are there to supervise, and always turn them off when you’re away or asleep.

The Naughty List: Toxic Holiday Plants

Adding some festive greenery can create a beautiful holiday atmosphere, but do you know which plants are safe for pets and which ones should be avoided? Many of the popular plants used in Christmas decor can be lethal if ingested.

Here are some popular holiday plants to keep away from your pets:

• Holly - A long-time Christmas favorite, holly contains theobromine, a troublesome chemical also found in chocolate. This festive plant can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a rapid pulse, and dizziness in cats and dogs.
• Mistletoe - While there are several mistletoe varieties, including some that aren't toxic, it's better to be on the safe side and keep all out of the household. Some varieties of this plant contain phoratoxin that can cause blood pressure to drop to a fatal level, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and more.
• Poinsettia - While not the most toxic plant, this beautiful Christmas bloom can still cause vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset. If you touch a poinsettia, it can also create an unbearable itch, something a delicate paw pad or nose definitely won't enjoy!
• Ivy - Ivy makes an appearance in many Christmas decorations, but it can cause your pets trouble. Touching it can result in rashes, conjunctivitis, and itchiness, but consuming it can cause diarrhea, excess drooling, and vomiting.
• Lily - The Peace lily and other lily varieties are commonplace as gifts or in centerpieces around the holidays, but these plants are one of the most toxic to our pets. Symptoms of a lily poisoning can range from vomiting, drooling, and weakness to serious complications like disorientation, dehydration, or seizures.
• Amaryllis - Bright, red flowers always fit in with Christmas decor, but the active ingredient in this bulb, lycorine, can cause some serious problems when eaten. Drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea can occur, but amaryllis can also cause breathing trouble.
• Christmas roses – These plants produce white/pink flowers that resemble wild roses and are popular during the holidays because they bloom during the winter months. However, these lovely blooms can cause lethargy, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive thirst.

If you suspect your cat or dog has ingested any of these plants or is showing any of these symptoms, seek veterinary help immediately.

What Holiday Foods Are Bad for Pets? Most of Them.

Holiday meals are a feast for the senses, but unfortunately, most of what we eat isn’t safe for pets. From fatty meats to chocolate and raisins, there’s a lot on the menu that can make your pet seriously sick. Latke, for example, is a high-fat treat that could cause pancreatitis if eaten by your pet. Latke is also often made with onions which are toxic to both cats and dogs.

Fatty, sweet and spicy foods as well as turkey or chicken bones can all be dangerous to pets. While a small piece of boneless turkey is a fine treat, it is always better to err on the safe side and avoid accidentally feeding your pet something that could have a toxic spice or ingredient in it. If your celebration includes alcoholic beverages, be sure not to leave your drink unattended where pets can get to them.

While this time of year may include some of the best food, the ASPCA recommends keeping your pet’s diet the same as any other day.

From Flicker to Fire Hazard: Holiday Candles

During the busy holiday season, it’s tempting to relax with your pet by a cozy fire or enjoy the glow of candles—but open flames and curious pets can be a risky mix. Whether it’s the menorah, a diya for Diwali, or some cinnamon-scented candles, pets might knock them over or get too close, risking burns or even starting a fire.

To keep things merry and bright without the added risk, always supervise open flames when pets are around, and be extra cautious during the busy holiday season when they might be left unattended more often. A few simple precautions can help ensure your holiday stays safe, cozy, and full of love—with no fiery surprises!

New Year’s Eve Noisemakers

Ringing in the new year with fireworks, champagne, balloons, and parties may be exciting for us, but they’re usually a nightmare for pets. New Year’s Eve can be a pretty loud holiday with noisemakers, music, fireworks, and other sounds of celebration. Unfortunately, loud noises can frighten pets and cause them to run off or hide. You might want to put your pet in a quiet room during the festivities, especially when it’s time for the big countdown to begin. Also, make sure you keep alcohol and other toxic foods out of reach.

Balloons make great decorations, but they don’t make good toys for pets. Pets can get hurt or scared if they pop, and possibly choke on or swallow the pieces. Balloon ribbons can also be a problem, particularly for cats who tend to enjoy chasing them down and chewing on them. If they swallow bits of ribbon, they can suffer from vomiting or intestinal blockages.

Pet-Proof the Cheer: Holiday Mishap Prevention

While you can’t always protect your pet from holiday mishaps and emergencies, there are a few things you can do to prepare for them.

• Ask your veterinary practice about their hours over the holiday season and who you should contact if they’re closed when your pet gets hurt or sick. Keep their info on hand.
• Save the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number—1-888-426-4435—in your phone or address book. They're available 24/7, every day of the year, to assist with pet poison emergencies.
• Keep a pet first-aid kit handy with items like gauze pads, cotton balls, and adhesive tape. You can stock yours up with help from our pet first-aid kit checklist.

The holidays can definitely throw some surprises your way, but being prepared makes all the difference in keeping your pet safe and sound. If you stay in the know and have a solid plan, you can sit back, be merry, and enjoy the season without any worries.

Wrapping It Up

With these holiday safety tips for pets, you can make sure your holiday season is filled with nothing but good cheer (and wagging tails or happy purrs). Stay on top of potential hazards, be mindful of your pet’s needs, and, most importantly, enjoy the holidays with your furry family members by your side!

_{An ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance plan can help you with eligible costs for covered conditions like surgery expenses for accidents and help provide peace of mind that your pet can receive the care they need. Check out our online resources to learn more about your insurance options and get a free quote today. The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.}

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