The holidays are often filled with joy and excitement. But for pets, the holidays can present seasonal hazards that pet owners would probably prefer to avoid.
After all, the holidays are busy enough without an unforeseen pet emergency getting thrown into the mix. Knowing this, we at Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit prepared a handy guide to holiday hazards. From foods to decorations to tiny toys and seasonal foliage, we’ve got you covered.
Dangerous Holiday Foods For Pets
During the holidays, most people cook up meals with ingredients and dishes that aren’t often served throughout the rest of the year. Whether your dog or cat taste-tests those foods intentionally or by accident, there are a few foods they should avoid.
- Meat, skin, and bone: The fats, seasonings, and juices could upset their stomach.
- Any dairy: To avoid stomach upset, keep the mashed potatoes and creamy casseroles strictly available to humans.
- Onion + garlic: Both of these holiday staples are toxic to dogs.
- Desserts with raisins: Like grapes, raisins are extremely dangerous to dogs.
- Any chocolate: Most dog owners know that chocolate is toxic to dogs, but it seems more abundant during the holidays.
Decorate Safely For Your Pets
Beyond forbidden snacks, the holidays also usher in the arrival of household decorations that aren’t on display throughout the rest of the year. It’s important to keep your cat or dog in mind when decorating because they seem to always find a way to get into something they shouldn’t.
When decorating, keep in mind:
- Ornaments are attractive: Hang fragile ornaments on higher branches so curious dogs and cats don’t wind up stepping on broken glass if one “falls” off the tree (from a paw hitting it).
- Elevate plants: Poinsettias, azaleas, lilies, and yew are all toxic in some capacity to dogs and cats (some more than others, but why chance it?), so it’s important to keep those holiday plants out of reach.
- Wrapping adornments: Keep tinsel and ribbon in a safe place, so cats or dogs don’t mistake them for a shiny snack. They can cause intestinal obstructions.
- Cords could be chew toys: Extension cords could be confused for chew toys, so be sure to keep them to a minimum, and keep them out of sight or blocked from curious pets.
Managing Holiday Emotions
The holidays are a lot for humans. The same can be said for pets. They often involve travel or incoming guests, and some dogs and cats can find that type of upheaval to their daily routines stressful. Here are a few tips to handle both.
- If you’re traveling with your pet, limit the size of the meal directly before travel, exercise before the flight, help them get used to their carrier, and offer them something with a scent they recognize (like a blanket or towel).
- If you’re expecting guests at your home, create a safe and comfortable space for your pet, exercise them before your guests arrive, offer them new toys to keep them occupied, and check on them.
If you suspect that your pet has ingested something they shouldn’t have, stay calm and check in with the ASPCA poison hotline. Reach those poison control experts at 888-426-4435.
Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit is a trusted veterinary team serving the Phoenix, Peoria, East Mesa, Queen Creek, and Tucson metro areas, with accessible locations in each market, offering highly specialized surgery, quality spay and neuter procedures, and accessible dental care for pets. Contact us to learn more about our specialized services or to schedule an appointment.
