The holidays are a magical time of year, filled with new sights, sounds, scents, and traditions. While these seasonal delights bring joy and cheer to our homes, they can also spark curiosity in our furry friends. Unfortunately, some festive staples we love can pose risks to pets if we're not careful. From tempting treats to sparkling decorations, hidden dangers abound. At DoodyCalls, we’re dedicated to keeping pets and their families safe and happy. We’ve compiled a guide to help you identify holiday hazards and ensure your home is a safe haven for everyone—two- and four-legged alike!
Pet Safety and Holiday Foods
The holiday season is filled with delicious smells and tempting treats, but not all the goodies on the table are safe for your furry friends. Curious noses and eager paws might find their way to holiday dishes that can cause serious health problems. Knowing which foods to avoid and taking extra precautions can help your dog stay safe while you enjoy the festivities.
Unsafe Holiday Foods for Dogs
Holiday Candies: Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is toxic to dogs. Many candies also contain xylitol, a common artificial sweetener that can cause severe health issues, including liver failure.
Macadamia Nuts: These can cause vomiting, weakness, and tremors in dogs, even in small amounts.
Peppermint Treats: Can dogs eat candy canes? Peppermint-flavored candies should be avoided for dogs. While mildly toxic, peppermint candy can cause stomach upset, and diarrhea, and can also be a choking hazard for your pup. Sugar-free varieties often contain harmful ingredients like xylitol that can cause serious side effects. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog consumes xylitol.
Grapes and Raisins: Even small quantities can lead to kidney failure in dogs.
Onions and Garlic: Found in many savory holiday dishes, these ingredients can damage your dog’s red blood cells and lead to anemia.
Dog Safety Tips for Holiday Foods
Keep all food, desserts, and candy dishes out of reach, as a counter-surfing pup can quickly snatch something harmful. Remind your guests to resist those adorable puppy eyes and avoid sharing table scraps with your dog. To make things easier, consider setting up a "dog-safe zone" during meals where your furry friend can relax away from tempting sights and smells.
Pet Safety and Holiday Decorations
Twinkling lights, colorful ornaments, and festive greenery bring a special charm to the season but can also pose unexpected risks to pets. Dogs, driven by curiosity, might see decorations as toys or snacks, which could lead to accidents or health concerns. A little preparation and awareness can go a long way in ensuring your holiday decorations remain beautiful—and safe.
Christmas Trees and Decorations
Christmas Trees: While live trees are not toxic to dogs, the needles can cause oral irritation or gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Keep the water reservoir at the base of your tree covered to prevent your dog from drinking potentially harmful water treated with fertilizers or harboring mold.
Lights and Cords: Keep electrical cords and string lights out of reach to prevent chewing accidents. Secure cords with cord protectors and unplug lights when not in use.
Tinsel and Ribbons: These shiny decorations are highly tempting to dogs but can cause severe intestinal blockages if swallowed. Avoid using them or place them high out of reach if you don’t trust your dog to leave them be.
Ornaments: Opt for shatterproof ornaments to avoid sharp glass or plastic fragments if your dog knocks them off the tree.
Candles: Keep candles well out of reach of pets to prevent them from being knocked over, creating a fire hazard. Consider flameless candles for a safer alternative.
Pet Safety and Seasonal Plants
The holidays bring beautiful seasonal plants into our homes, but some of these festive favorites can pose serious risks to pets if ingested. From poinsettias to mistletoe, it's important to know which plants are harmful and which are safe for your furry friends. While a dog would need to consume a large amount of some plants to become seriously ill, it’s best to err on the side of caution when choosing your holiday foliage.
Poinsettias: While not as dangerous as once thought to pets, poinsettias are still mildly toxic and can cause stomach irritation if ingested.
Mistletoe and Holly: These plants are more dangerous to pets, causing vomiting, diarrhea, or even cardiovascular issues.
Lilies and Amaryllis: Lilies are highly toxic to cats and can cause stomach upset in dogs if ingested. While not as dangerous as lilies, amaryllis is harmful to both cats and dogs with the bulb of the plant being the most toxic part of the plant.
Artificial Plants: Even fake greenery can be harmful if chewed or ingested, so keep these out of your pet’s reach.
If you believe your pet has ingested something harmful, contact your veterinarian immediately or call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 for expert guidance.