12/15/2025
Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and all the celebrations are a time for family, friends, and fun. However, such celebrations can pose safety problems for your pet. A visit to the emergency room with your cat will not add to the joy of the season. The following are some tips to help you keep your furry family members safe and happy.
Remember That Chocolate is Toxic
Chocolate is not for pets. The less sweet the chocolate, the more toxic it can be. Make sure to keep all chocolate out of reach and remember that a shelf is not out of reach for cats. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, hyperactivity, and seizures. Get help immediatley (don't wait until the next morning) for a cat with these symptoms.
Do Not Give Holiday Leftovers
Keep the holiday leftovers away from your pets to avoid stomach upset. Poultry bones are especially dangerous.
Use Caution with Unattended Alcohol
Be cautious with unattended alcohol drinks that could make your pet sick if ingested.
Keep Christmas Tree Water Clean:
Christmas tree water in the stand might contain dangerous fertilizer. Also, stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria. If you’re using a live tree, do not add chemical preservatives or Aspirin to the water. Aluminum foil around the stand may help keep your pet away from it.
Wrap or Tack Down Electric Cords
Tack down all exposed wiring so it’s not tempting. Wrap or shield electric cords that cannot be tacked down. Plastic tubing for this purpose can be bought at hardware stores.
Use Christmas Tree Lights Cautiously
Beware of the lights on your Christmas tree that may look like something to chew. Keeping lights off the lower branches may help avoid an accident.
Don't Use Tinsel
Tinsel is pretty on the tree, but not in your pet’s mouth so it may be best to keep the tinsel off the tree. Ingesting this can cause serious blockages requiring surgery.
Don't Use Angel Hair
Angel hair shouldn’t be used since it’s made of spun glass and can cause irritation on contact.
Use Safe Ornament Hooks
Ornament hooks that can snag an ear or tail shouldn’t be used. If swallowed, the hooks can lodge in the throat or intestines.
Secure Christmas Tree
Make sure your tree is secure, possibly even tied to a hook in the ceiling or wall. It might look like a fun place to play and hide for your curious cat.
Use Safe Ornaments
Check all ornaments for possible dangers such as small and sharp parts that can be ingested. Glass balls can break in your pet’s mouth. Use only safe ornaments that won’t shatter when they become your pet’s batting toy.
Use Caution with Tree Strands
Cranberry or popcorn strands around the tree can be very dangerous causing intestinal obstruction, or getting wrapped around your pet’s neck.
Beware of Poisonous Plants
As you receive your holiday floral arrangements, remove the poisonous flowers (find out the plants toxic to pets). Lilies can cause kidney failure and death in cats, and poinsettias can cause vomiting and nausea so keep these plants out of the house. Why not try a silk floral arrangement instead?
Cut Off Shopping Bag Handles
Cut all of the handles off your shopping bags that your pet can reach so that he doesn’t get his neck or paw caught.
Use Candles Cautiously
If you like candles, try the kind that use batteries since the possibility of burns to your pet, or a fire when a candle is knocked over, is just not worth the risk.
Leave Shy Pets Home
If you’re traveling over the holidays, consider leaving your shy or anxious pet at home instead of taking him with you, or having him boarded. Your pet will appreciate being in his own environment with daily care from someone.
Check for Toy Hazards
Check out the toys your children and pets receive as gifts since small parts can be a choking hazard to pets (and your children!)
Use Caution with Household Chemicals
When cleaning your house before guests arrive be sure to keep household chemicals out of your pet’s reach.
Have a Safe Room
When entertaining with friends and family, give your pet a safe place to retreat where it’s calm and quiet with his own toys, beds, and food and water bowls.
Watch for Escapes
Be careful that no accidental escapes happen when your guests are entering and leaving. It may be best to put your pet in his safe area while guests are arriving. Just in case, make sure your pet has a collar with identification and/or a microchip.
No Guests' Pets
Ask your guests to leave their own pets at home. Your pet may not appreciate a visit from an unfamiliar dog or cat, and will just add to his stress.
No Ribbon
Remove the ribbons from all packages. Ribbons are extremely dangerous since they can cause strangulation, choking, or intestinal blockage. For your packages, bright paper will be just as attractive and much safer!
Don't Give a Pet as a Gift
Don't give a pet as a surprise gift. The holidays are not conducive to introducing a new pet into a home, and the recipient may not want a pet. If you know for certain that the person wants a dog or cat, just give a card with a note that after the holidays you'll accompany your friend or family member to a shelter.
Skip the Potpourri
That pine scented potpourri may smell wonderful, but if ingested by your pet, it can cause vomiting, stomach upset, and possibly liver damage. In addition, liquid potpourri can cause severe burns in a pet’s mouth if it’s ingested.
Use Mistletoe Cautiously
Keep the mistletoe out of reach since it can cause serious health problems if ingested by your pet. Remember that hanging mistletoe will be even more attractive to your cat so make sure he can’t reach it if you're going to use it.
Take Time to Give Love
Take time out to love your pet during the busy holiday season. You'll both be more relaxed and you can enjoy your friends and family without guilt
Use Fireplace Cautiously
Pets love warm areas so use caution with your fireplace by using a protective screen to prevent your pet from being singed.
Warm Car Engine is a Danger
Honk your horn before starting your car on cold mornings. Cats are drawn to the warmth of an engine and can suffer injuries from the fan belt.
Give Shelter to Outdoor Cats
If you care for outdoor stray or feral cats, buy them a shelter (the smaller the better) and if electric is an option on your patio, deck, or porch, add a heated pad. You also can purchase a snuggle safe pad that stays warm for 12 hours after being heated in the microwave for just 5 minutes. Remember, cats can suffer form hypothermia and need winter shelter.
