How to Care For & Keep Your Pets Safe During the Holidays

The start of the holiday season is drawing near and you know what that means—crowded gatherings, fun, decorations, and lots of food!

You’re most likely already pondering on gifts to buy for your family and friends, what delicacies to cook, or the types of decor you can set up in your home.

However, one important thing you shouldn’t overlook when doing your holiday prep is how to keep your pet(s) safe.

While this period is one of joy, celebration, and rest, it can easily be one filled with unexpected risks for them.

So, how do you ensure that your furry, feathered, or scaly companion has a safe and stress-free holiday like you? 

In this article, you’ll discover some practical and helpful pet safety tips and advice you should remember throughout this year’s festivities.

1. Be Mindful of Hazardous Holiday Foods

Source: Freepik

It’s perfectly normal for you to want your pet to enjoy good meals like you do during this period.

But, here’s the thing—many of the festive treats we savor and enjoy can be very harmful or even toxic to them. 

These foods can cause vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, seizures, kidney failure, pancreatitis, stomach perforation, and other serious health issues.

So, you need to be aware of what is (and isn’t) safe to feed your pet during the holidays. 

Some of the foods that are dangerous or poisonous to pets include:

• Chocolate
• Nutmeg
• Avocados
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Onions
• Garlic
• Candy
• Chives
• Christmas pudding
• Mince pies
• Artificial sweeteners
• Fatty foods
• Alcohol

What’s more, bones can cause internal blockages and intestinal perforations.

It’s advisable to feed your pet their usual food, as it’s much safer than sharing human food. You can also research recipes for pet-safe treats. 

However, try to feed your pet these treats in moderate quantities, as too much can cause them to put on extra weight.

Also, always keep an eye on your pet—ensure they don’t get into leftovers or garbage so they don’t consume unsafe scraps.

2. Keep Your Decorations Pet-Friendly

Source: Freepik

Decorating is a big part of the holidays, but if not done right, it can greatly harm your pet.

For one, several festive plants can be toxic to them, including holly, poinsettias, ivy, lilies, amaryllis, and even the beloved mistletoe. 

If ingested by your pet, these plants can cause mild gastrointestinal upset or severe poisoning. 

To prevent this, keep them out of reach or use pet-safe plants like bromeliads, majesty palms, and holiday cactus. Or, better yet, opt for faux decorations.

There are other decorations that can also harm or injure your pet if not set up well. 

Here are some ways you can prevent this from happening:

• Ensure you anchor your Christmas tree securely so it doesn’t fall over if your pet jumps or plays nearby.
• Don’t use tinsel or fragile ornaments your pet can easily break or swallow.
• Place your candles out of reach and supervise your fireplace. You wouldn’t want your pet to accidentally knock over lit candles and cause a fire or burn themselves. For more safety, opt for battery-operated candles. Also, ensure your pet steers clear of firestarter logs as they contain sawdust and paraffin (which can cause an irritated stomach or intestinal blockage if ingested.)
• Hang breakable baubles higher up your Christmas tree or avoid using them altogether.
• Position tree lights (and electric cords) away from the bottom so your pet can easily chew on them. A safer alternative to traditional Christmas lights​ that you can try out is LED lights.
• Avoid using decorations made of chocolate.

3. Create a Calm Space & Set Boundaries During Gatherings

Amidst celebrations, it can be easy to get distracted and forget that large gatherings or too much noise may be overwhelming for your pet. 

If you want to ensure that your pet doesn’t get too stressed or even have the urge to escape, there are several measures you need to put in place. It’s also important to set clear rules and boundaries for guests:

1. Supervise children and pets constantly

Toddlers should never be left unsupervised around your pets since there’s a high chance they may not know how to safely interact with animals.

For example, if you have a dog, a child may unintentionally provoke them by pulling their tail or not respecting their personal space. This, in turn, could lead to defensive behavior from them. 

So, parents should stay within arm’s reach of their children or rotate supervision with other adults.

It also helps to create separate zones for pets and toddlers through baby gates or barriers.

Pro tip: Bringing portable gates can be helpful, especially if visiting a home that does not already have these in place.

2. Crate or isolate your pet when necessary

Source: Freepik

Another way to keep your pet comfortable is by providing a quiet and calm space where they can retreat if they need a break. This is particularly essential if you have an overstimulated pet.

You can crates, cardboard boxes, or a designated room for this purpose. Make sure that the space you use is warm and includes fresh water, bedding, and toys. Also, check that doors and windows are secure to prevent accidental runaways.

Be careful not to leave your pet alone too long, though.

3. Discuss expectations ahead of time

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you need to be mindful of how guests interact with your pet. 

To do this, it’s important to openly communicate expectations, instructions, safety concerns, and boundaries beforehand.

This ensures everyone is on the same page and reduces the risk of emergencies. For instance, some guests may be unfamiliar with proper animal etiquette, have allergies, or even be afraid of your pet.

Overall, you need to be your pet’s advocate, especially if you’re the host of a holiday gathering. Prioritize their safety over guest demands—it’s your house, your rules.

4. Set up pet-free zones

During parties, keep your pet out of high-traffic areas like the dining room or kitchen. This lessens the risk of accidents, such as dogs knocking over children or stealing food. 

4. Protect Your Pet From the Cold Weather

Source: Freepik

Cold weather can be dangerous for your pet, especially during extreme conditions. Keep your pet indoors to ensure they don’t get hypothermia and frostbite.

Also, make sure your pet has warm, comfortable bedding that’s placed away from drafts and cold floors.

Here are some other tips to help keep them cozy during the holidays:

• Limit the time your pet spends outdoors.
• Use pet-safe coats or sweaters, especially for smaller breeds or those with short fur.
• Use booties or a pet-safe balm to protect their paws from ice, snow, and ice-melting chemicals commonly used on sidewalks and roads.
• Wipe your pet’s paws with a damp cloth immediately after outdoor walks.
• Check paws for cracks or injuries to be on the safer side.

5. Carefully Consider Holiday Travel Plans

Source: Freepik

You know your pet better than anyone else—do you think they’d prefer going on holiday trips or staying home? 

If it’s the former, you need to ensure their safety throughout the trip by:

• Securing them with appropriate carriers, seatbelts, or harnesses in cars.
• Bringing familiar items like their favorite blanket or toy to reduce stress​ and anxiety.
• Avoiding letting them roam freely in moving cars.
• Checking your airline’s pet policy if traveling by air.
• Ensuring that your pet’s ID tags and microchip information are up-to-date in case they get lost.
• Packing essentials such as food, water, waste bags, and any medications your pet may need.
• Not neglecting their bathroom breaks.
• Planning for shorter visits, if necessary, so you don’t have to worry about constantly supervising your pet.

However, if you decide to leave your pet at home, you can hire a trusted pet sitter to take good care of them while you’re gone.

6. Prioritize Safe Gift Wrapping

Source: Freepik

Bows, ribbons, and strings on the gifts under your tree can pose serious choking hazards to your pet. 

Since these gifts are within their reach, avoid adding decorative elements to them. 

It’s more advisable to add these finishing touches just before presenting the gifts (while simultaneously supervising your pet.)

Plus, make sure you immediately discard wrapping paper, ribbons, and other materials after unwrapping.

7. Show Love With Pet-Safe Gifts

Source: Freepik

It’s natural to want to give presents to your pet during the holiday season—after all, they’re family!

However, when picking out gifts, always choose toys and treats designed specifically for animals. Ideally, these should be obtained from trusted pet stores or veterinary clinics. 

Avoid buying children’s toys away for your pets; they may not be safe enough to chew or play with.

8. Stick to Your Pet’s Routine

It’s easy to get lost in the excitement and chaos during the holidays, but you need to make sure this doesn’t affect your pet’s usual routine. 

Sticking to the normal routine can help reduce their stress and ensure their comfort. Do this by keeping your pet’s feeding, walking, playing, and sleeping times as consistent as possible.

9. Be Prepared for Pet Emergencies

Source: Freepik

Accidents happen, and especially more during the holidays because of the increased risks around food, unfamiliar people, and the weather. 

You need to have the number of an emergency vet readily available in case your pet eats something dangerous or gets into an accident. It’s also important to know your pet hospital’s holiday hours.

What’s more, if your pet is on medication, make sure you have an adequate supply before the holidays begin. 

Crucial Reminders for This Holiday

The topics in this section don’t directly relate to keeping your pet safe during the festivities. 

However, they remain important to consider as you celebrate the season, as they’re still key to a happy holiday for pets and animals in general.

1. Don’t give pets as gifts

Gifting a pet to a friend or family member seems like a nice idea, but it has stark consequences.

Pets are living beings that require long-term care and commitment, so surprising someone with them as a gift is far from ideal.

Is the recipient ready? Have they shown interest? Can their lifestyle and living space accommodate a pet?

If you’re not sure of the answers to these questions, it’s best to avoid presenting anyone with an animal as a present.

Unfortunately, shelters often see an influx of abandoned animals after the holidays, as people tend to underestimate the time and care needed to care for them. Learn more about the dangers of giving animals as gifts here.

Instead, you can consider donating to an animal rescue organization in the recipient’s name, giving pet supplies, or gifting an adoption gift certificate. 

Not only are these options more thoughtful, but they also help animals in need.

2. Skip live animal Christmas shows

You may have heard of (or even seen) those seemingly fun and magical events involving live reindeer and other animals. 

But did you know that these displays often involve stress, discomfort, cruelty, and other poor conditions for the animals? 

It’s unfair to treat animals as props and make them endure transportation stress, loud environments, and abuse just for our amusement.

Instead of attending live animal shows, consider supporting animal-friendly alternatives like virtual wildlife tours. Better still, you can donate to organizations that advocate for animal welfare. 

As a pet owner, this choice will show your desire to treat all animals with kindness and respect.

Wrapping Up

It’s okay to want to have fun this Christmas but keep in mind that your pet also needs to enjoy the same privilege. 

Monitor them, be mindful of their needs, set boundaries, and enforce the preventive measures outlined in this article. 

This way, you can ensure their health, safety, and happiness during this season.

Happy holidays!