Christmas Pet Safety: Keep Dogs and Cats Safe: Toxic Foods, Decorations & Emergency Tips

The holidays bring joy, gatherings, and traditions we love—but they also bring hidden hazards for our cat and dog family members. A little preparation now means peace of mind later. Here's your practical checklist for keeping your furry buddies safe through the season.

Toxic Foods to Keep Out of Reach

Chocolate, Grapes, and Xylitol

These are the big three. Even small amounts can be dangerous.

Xylitol is found in sugar-free gum, candy, some peanut butters, and even toothpaste—and it's extremely toxic to dogs.

A single piece of sugar-free gum can be deadly to a small dog.

Read labels carefully and keep these items completely out of reach. 

Onions, Garlic, and Certain Nuts

Onions, garlic and certain nuts (especially macadamia) can damage red blood cells in dogs and cats, causing anemia.

Symptoms may not appear for several days and include weakness, pale gums, and dark-colored urine.

Be especially careful with stuffing, gravy, and casseroles that often contain these ingredients—even small amounts over time can build up and cause problems.

Turkey Bones and Fatty Trimmings

Turkey bones are especially dangerous because they splinter when cooked, creating sharp pieces that can puncture your pet's digestive tract or cause choking.

This includes the carcass left on the counter while you clean up.

Our cats used to have their own "living room" in the garage—complete with a rug, sofa, and chair. They were quite happy there. Well, the garage also housed the trash cans.

One Thanksgiving, we placed the turkey carcass in the trash and tucked our furry friends away for the night.

The next morning, we found three very happy cats and a turkey carcass on the floor, stripped completely bare. Not so much as a sliver of meat remained, though all the bones were left intact on the carcass.

We have no idea how they got it out of the standing trash can, but they managed their own Thanksgiving feast. Luckily, nothing bad happened to them, but we learned our lesson.

Secure those trash bags. Dispose of bones immediately in a trash can with a tight lid that pets can't access, and remind guests not to slip bones to begging pets under the table.

Ham is a Holiday Hazard

Loaded with fat and salt, ham can trigger pancreatitis in dogs.

One Christmas, my parents warned everyone at our family gathering—at least two or three times—not to give their dog Susie any ham.

My sister and I were passing the platter when Susie launched herself into the air, snatched a piece, and took off running. We looked at each other with that universal "I didn't see anything if you didn't see anything" expression.

Thankfully, Susie survived her great ham heist, but not every dog is not that lucky. Keep the ham on your plate and out of reach.

Managing Holiday Stress for Pets

Create a Quiet Retreat

Set up a room with their bed, water, and favorite toys where they can escape the noise and commotion of gatherings.

Keep Their Routine as Normal as Possible

Feed and walk them at regular times, even when your schedule gets hectic.

Warn Guests in Advance

Let visitors know not to slip treats to your pet or leave doors open where animals could escape.

Holiday Decorations and Hazards

Tinsel, Ribbon and String Lights

Tinsel, ribbon, and string lights look like toys but can cause serious intestinal blockages if swallowed. Keep them out of reach or skip them entirely if you have curious pets.

Certain Holiday Plants are Toxic

Mistletoe, holly, and lilies can make pets seriously sick. Poinsettias may cause mild stomach upset if eaten, but they're not as dangerous as their reputation suggests. Still, it's best to keep all plants out of reach.

Secure Your Christmas Tree

We learned this lesson the hard way—twice. When we had a German Shepherd named Scooby, we came home every single day to find the Christmas tree on the ground.

Turns out the paperboy was teasing her through the window when he delivered the paper. We anchored the tree to the wall and fired the paperboy. Problem solved.

Years later with cats in the house, several of them saw the Christmas tree—especially the real ones—as their personal climbing gym. Back to anchoring the tree to the wall.

Whether you have dogs, cats, or just want peace of mind, secure that tree. Keep electrical cords tucked away and covered too.

Skip the candles or Use Flameless Ones

A charging dog can easily knock over a lit candle, and curious cats are drawn to flames.

I once lit a Christmas candle by my chair and watched in horror as my cat Barney hopped up to investigate. He started making those unmistakable movements—preparing to bat at the flame with his paw. I moved him away and blew out the candle immediately.

Even though I love candles, I rarely light them anymore because there's always someone curious in the house. Flameless candles give you the ambiance without the risk.

Watch Those Essential Oils and Potpourri

The holiday scent market is huge, but many essential oils—especially pine, cinnamon, citrus, and peppermint—can be irritating or even toxic to pets, particularly cats.

Those diffusers send scent throughout your entire home, and pets can't escape it. If you notice your pet sneezing, drooling, or acting lethargic after you've been diffusing oils, stop using them and call your vet.

Have Emergency Info Ready

Know where the nearest emergency vet is and have their number saved in your phone. Holiday hours may differ from regular schedules.

Keep the Pet Poison Helpline Number Handy

Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. This 24/7 hotline can help if your pet ingests something toxic. Have your credit card ready—there's a consultation fee—but it's worth it for immediate guidance.

Act Fast if Your Pet Eats Something Toxic

Call your vet or the poison helpline immediately. Have the packaging ready so you can tell them exactly what and how much was consumed. Don't wait to see if symptoms develop—time matters.

Keep Contact Info Accessible

Keep your regular vet's contact info accessible for guests or pet sitters in case something happens while you're away.

Post a List of Toxic Foods

Post a list of toxic foods and plants on your refrigerator so everyone in the house knows what to avoid. 

Keep ID Information Current

Update ID Tags and Microchip Information Now

With guests coming and going, doors opening frequently, and general holiday chaos, pets can slip out more easily than usual. Make sure your contact details are current so they can get home safely if they escape.

Post Emergency Contact Info Where Guests Can Find It

If something happens while you're out running errands, make sure pet sitters or visiting family know who to call.

The Bottom Line

Holiday preparedness isn't just about stocking the pantry and planning meals—it's about protecting every member of your family, including the four-legged ones. A little awareness and a few simple precautions mean everyone can enjoy the season safely.

Quick Checklist:

• Move toxic foods and plants out of pet reach
• Create a quiet space for stressed pets
• Update emergency vet contact info
• Brief guests on pet safety rules
• Update pet ID tags and microchip info
• Stock pet first aid supplies

Prepared = Peaceful, even for our pets.