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Dec. 24, 2023—The holiday season can be a whirlwind of fun and family. But all that joyful chaos comes with some special risks for furry family members. To help keep pets safe, try this advice from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and other experts.

Secure your surroundings

Pets (and kids!) get excited around the holidays. Whether you're decking the halls, stuffing stockings or unwrapping gifts, take care to keep curious pets out of trouble.

Don't topple the tree—or ornaments. Consider securing trees and other décor to the ceiling or a doorframe using fishing line. That will help if dogs (or kids) bump into the tree. Lemon-scented car air fresheners hung low can discourage your cat from climbing or swatting sparkly ornaments or lights, says the AVMA. Better yet, don't leave pets alone with a decorated tree.

Clean up as you go. Ribbon, tinsel, string and other wrapping accessories can cause intestinal blockages if your cat or dog eats them. Clear them away as gifts are opened—and make sure your trash is stowed securely.

Avoid poisonous holiday plants. Amaryllis, mistletoe, balsam, pine, cedar, holly and poinsettias are all toxic. If pets eat them, get emergency care immediately. Homemade salt-dough ornaments or other food-based decorations can also be fatal.

Be battery-safe. A punctured battery can cause serious burns. Keep batteries and wires out of reach of pets.

Offer pets an exit strategy. Too much togetherness can be stressful for your furry family members. Give them downtime in another room. And make sure they have a safe space they can retreat to as needed.

Get guests on board

You might already know that certain foods can be hazardous to pets—but your guests may not. And even sharing nontoxic (but extra rich) foods like gravy or turkey skin can cause pancreatitis in pets, says the AVMA.

Ask your guests not to feed pets any people food. And make sure everyone knows to keep animals away from:

• Chocolate.
• Onions.
• Grapes and raisins.
• Candy, baked goods or chewing gum that contains xylitol.
• Uncooked dough made with yeast.

Clear food from the table and serving areas as soon as the meal is over—and take out the trash to avoid temptation.

Play it safe

Unfortunately, accidents happen. Know where to take your injured or ill pet anytime, day or night. Quick action can save your pet's life. Keep your veterinarian's number handy—along with the number of an emergency clinic in your area. And learn more about living with pets in our Pets health topic center.

Sources

• American Veterinary Medical Association. "7 Ways to Make the Holidays Safer for Pets." https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/7-ways-make-holidays-safer-pets.
• American Veterinary Medical Association. "Winter Holiday Pet Safety." https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/holiday-pet-safety.
• ASPCA. "Holiday Safety Tips." https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/holiday-safety-tips.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe From Holiday Hazards." https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/keep-your-dogs-and-cats-safe-holiday-hazards .