The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration but can pose unexpected risks for our furry friends. Let’s keep the cheer alive while ensuring our dogs stay safe amidst the festivities.
With festive foods and dazzling decorations throughout your home, ensuring your furry friend stays safe is essential.
Explore the common risk factors and use 33 essential dog holiday safety tips to easily navigate potential hazards and keep your dog happy and healthy this holiday season.
Recognize holiday food hazards for dogs
Specific seasonal favorites can be harmful or even toxic to dogs.
Keep these foods out of reach at all times:
- Grapes and raisins: These can lead to acute kidney failure, even in small amounts.
- Chocolate: A well-known hazard, chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause vomiting, tremors and seizures in dogs.
- Onions, garlic and chives: Found in many holiday dishes, onions, garlic and chives can damage your dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia.
- Rich or fatty foods: Turkey skin, gravy and buttery dishes can trigger pancreatitis — a painful and potentially life-threatening condition.
- Alcohol and caffeinated drinks: Both can lead to severe health problems, including seizures and respiratory distress.
- Macadamia nuts: These nuts are particularly dangerous, causing weakness, vomiting and tremors.
- Yeast dough: Raw dough can expand in your dog’s stomach, causing bloat and discomfort. The fermentation process also produces alcohol, which is toxic to them.
- Xylitol: Found in sugar-free candies, gum and some baked goods, this artificial sweetener can lead to a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver damage.
- Dairy products: Many dogs are lactose intolerant, and rich dairy items like cream or cheese can upset their stomachs.
- Nutmeg: Common in holiday desserts, nutmeg contains myristicin, which can cause hallucinations, elevated heart rate, and seizures in dogs.
- Cooked bones: These can splinter easily, posing choking hazards or causing internal injuries.
- Cinnamon: While small amounts are generally safe, large quantities can irritate your dog’s mouth and digestive system, leading to vomiting or low blood sugar.
Instead, offer dog-safe holiday treats like plain cooked sweet potatoes, unsweetened cranberries, or small amounts of unseasoned turkey.
Keep your dog away from dangerous decorations
Decorations can be irresistible to curious dogs but pose significant risks. Follow these dog holiday safety tips to keep popular Christmas decor items far from your furry friend:
- Christmas trees: Dogs may chew on pine needles, irritating their mouths and stomachs. Secure your tree to prevent it from toppling, and keep potentially toxic water additives — like preservatives — out of reach.
- Tinsel, ornaments and strings: If ingested, these decorations can cause choking or intestinal blockages. Avoid using them on low-hanging branches or skip them altogether.
- Electric cords: Tree lights and electric cords are tempting for puppies and dogs to chew, which can result in burns or electrocution. Cover cords or use pet-safe cord protectors.
- Candles: A wagging tail can easily knock over lit candles, causing burns or fires. Opt for flameless LED candles for a safer glow.
- Glass ornaments: Fragile glass ornaments can break into sharp pieces, injuring your dog if chewed or stepped on.
- Edible ornaments: Items like popcorn strings, candy canes, or gingerbread ornaments are tempting but potentially dangerous if consumed.
- Snow globes: Often contain ethylene glycol, a toxic substance in antifreeze. If ingested, it can be lethal to dogs.
- Artificial snow spray: Commonly used for decorating windows and trees, this aerosol product is toxic if inhaled or licked by pets.
- Potpourri: Both dried and liquid versions can contain harmful essential oils and plant materials if consumed or inhaled.
- Holiday scents and diffusers: Some essential oils, including pine, cinnamon, and peppermint, are toxic to dogs and should be used cautiously.
- Mistletoe and holly: If ingested in larger amounts, these can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and more severe symptoms.
- Poinsettias: The sap of this plant can irritate a dog’s skin and stomach. If ingested, it can also cause diarrhea and vomiting.
- Amaryllis: These can cause stomach pains and severe digestive distress.
Instead, consider dog-safe alternatives like artificial plants or non-toxic flowers like roses.
Protect your dog
Preventing accidents isn’t just about avoiding specific foods or decorations — it’s also about taking proactive steps to make your home dog-friendly during the holidays.
Try eight practical dog holiday safety tips to dog-proof your home.
Secure your tree
Anchor your Christmas tree to the wall or ceiling to prevent it from toppling if your dog jumps or bumps into it. Use a sturdy stand and avoid low-hanging decorations that might tempt your dog.
Keep trash covered
Wrapping paper, ribbons, and food scraps from holiday meals can be harmful if swallowed. Use a trash can with a secure lid, or keep waste out of your dog’s reach.
Store gifts safely
Dogs may be tempted to chew on wrapped presents, especially if they contain food or scented items. Store gifts in a safe place until it’s time to open them.
Choose shatterproof decorations
Broken ornaments can be a hazard for humans and pets. Opt for plastic or wooden ornaments instead of glass to reduce injury risks.
Block off risky areas
Use baby gates or playpens to limit your dog’s access to heavily decorated areas or spaces with fragile items. Secure any high-risk areas by keeping your dog in a different part of the house.
Secure exits
With frequent comings and goings, dogs can dart outside and get lost. Use gates or exercise pens to block doorways, and ensure your dog is microchipped and wearing updated ID tags.
Educate guests
Remind visitors to check with you before feeding your dog any scraps or treats. This is especially important for guests who don’t own pets, as they may be unfamiliar with which foods are toxic.
Create a safe space
Being around a crowd all day can get overwhelming for your furry friend. Designate a quiet area for your dog to retreat to, away from loud celebrations and unfamiliar faces.
Use dog holiday safety tips
The holidays are a time for celebration; with some planning, your dog can join in on the fun safely.
Choose dog-friendly alternatives, and always consult your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has ingested something harmful.
Use dog holiday safety tips to prioritize your canine companion’s health and make this holiday season joyful for everyone, including you.
Jane Marsh is an environmental writer passionate about pet care and health. To read more of her work, visit her site Environment.co.
Protect your furry friend with our optimal dog health guide 🐾