Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve or any other holiday—no matter what
you’re celebrating, pet owners need to remember to keep their pets safe and
healthy for the holidays. Whether it’s an exposure to chocolate or fatty foods or
pets upset due to unexpected guests or costumed visitors late at night, the
holidays can present problems for pets. The AVMA urges all pet owners to
include the health and safety of their pets in any plans for the holidays.

Here are the AVMA’s top 10 pet tips for holiday safety:

1. Be wary of holiday decorations; pets
often consume them. The animal raids the
Christmas tree, for example, and this can be
unhealthy for the pet and very upsetting for
the pet owners. If they consume enough
tinsel or other decorations, it can cause a
blockage that requires surgery.

2. Flowers are another common holiday
feature that can result in an emergency
visit. Poinsettias, Amaryllis and
mistletoe are on the list of common
holiday plants that can be dangerous and
even poisonous to house pets who decide
to eat them.

3. Just like people, some pets are better
at dealing with houseguests than others.
If you know your pet has a problem
with visitors, work with your
veterinarian for solutions. For severe
problems, your veterinarian may
recommend medications or even
boarding the animal.

4. Don’t let your pet climb the
Christmas tree. If the tree falls over,
your pet could be injured. Consider
tying the tree to the ceiling or a
doorframe using fishing line.

5. Cover Christmas tree water to keep
animals from drinking it. The sap
from live Christmas trees can make
your pet sick.

6. Many people believe that people food
makes good treats for their pets, but
this isn’t the case. Many common
ingredients in a holiday feast—like
onions, garlic, chocolate and artificial
sweeteners—are poisonous to pets. And
dogs that consume an excessive amount
of fatty foods, by cleaning a turkey
carcass pulled from the trash, for
example, can develop a life-threatening
condition called pancreatitis.

7. Whether they are Christmas
candies or chocolate, keep sweets out
of your pet’s reach, particularly while
you’re out. A pet that consumes
chocolates while you’re away at work,
for example, might be too sick for
your veterinarian to save by the time
you get home.

8. Unplug decorations while you’re not
around. Cats and dogs are often
tempted to chew electrical cords.

9. Keep any gift that includes human
food out of a pet’s reach. With their
sensitive sense of smell, dogs and cats
can find those wrapped treats and open
them when you’re not around.

10. Candles are a common part of
many holiday celebrations. Make sure
that you keep lit candles out of a pet’s
reach, because the animal could light
themselves, or your home, on fire. EK