The holidays are a time for joy, family, and festive decorations, but for dog owners, they can also be full of hidden dangers. Many common holiday decor items can pose a risk to our pets, from toxic plants to tempting food garlands. While you celebrate with your family, it's important to create a space that is not only beautiful, but also safe for your pets.
Toxic Plants
Many holiday plants are beautiful to look at but can be dangers for dogs.
Key plants to avoid or handle with care:
- Poinsettias: Can cause drooling, vomiting, or mouth irritation if chewed.
- Mistletoe: Toxic berries and leaves can lead to GI upset and breathing difficulties.
- Holly Berries: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy if ingested.
- Lilies: Extremely toxic and can lead to kidney failure in dogs.
Safe alternatives for holiday favs:
- Opt for artificial plants that look realistic, but are harmless. (Bonus: This is extra helpful for those without a green thumb!)
- Use dog-safe greenery like rosemary or Boston ferns for non-toxic plants with a grand feel.
- Place potentially harmful plants in hard-to-reach areas or prevent your pet from being in the same room.
Ribbons, Tinsel, and Yarn, Oh My!
Ribbons, yarn, and tinsel are classic holiday decorations that add a festive touch, but they can spell disaster if your dog gets curious. Dogs, especially puppies, are drawn to shiny, dangling objects. If your dog swallows the stringy decorations, it can lead to GI symptom–including intestinal blockages, vomiting, loss of appetite, or severe abdominal pain.
Safer decorating tips:
- Skip tinsel entirely–it’s not worth the risk.
- Use durable, dog-safe decorations like fabric garlands, wooden ornaments, or paper chains that are less tempting and less harmful.
- Wrap gifts without adding ribbons or bows, or store wrapped packages out of reach.
- If you choose to wrap presents with ribbon or bows, be sure to pick up all pieces after unwrapping to prevent your dog from secretly discovering small pieces that could hurt them.
Oh, Doth the Fire Burn Bright
Few things set the holiday mood like candlelight, but candles can quickly turn hazardous. A curious sniff or a wagging tail can send candles tumbling, causing burns or even fires. If you prefer traditional candles, place them on high shelves or counters to keep them outside your dog’s exploration capabilities.
Safer Alternative: Invest in battery powered LED candles, which mimic the warm flicker of real flames without the dangers. (You can even leave these on all night long!)
Candles aren’t the only fire danger. For the lucky ones with fireplaces to stave off the cold, make sure you prevent a potential meeting with those flickers. Invest in a proper fire screen to keep any furry tails or noses from getting hurt.
Tree Safety
If you celebrate Christmas with either a real or fake pine tree, here are some things to consider:
- Pine Needles: While this is more detrimental to families with real trees, pine needles on the ground can pose a large risk to your dog. Pine is very toxic to dogs, and can lead to symptoms including an irritated stomach lining, vomiting, diarrhea, and other GI issues. Pine needles can also be sharp and injure your dog’s paws.
- Stability: Your tree is likely the centerpiece of your decor, but it’s a new obstacle in your dog’s environment that could easily become a safety hazard. A wobbly tree poses a risk of tipping over, which could injure your dog or cause a mess of shattered ornaments and spilled water.
- Tree Stand Water: Seemingly innocuous, right? The water in your tree stand might contain dangerous chemicals–fertilizers and pesticides–from growing on the farm. There might also be bacteria or sap in the water, which can further harm your pup. Be sure to cover the tree stand to prevent any midnight drinks.
- Ornaments: Ornaments are an integral part of tree decorating, but can pose a threat to tail waggers. If placed on lower levels of the tree or within reach of a curious pet, ornaments of various materials could pose a threat to your pet: glass ornaments can shatter if they fall and metal or painted ornaments could harm your pet when chewed.
- Christmas Lights: When you pull those 10-year-old Christmas lights from storage, check over your strands! Anything can happen in the 11 months your lights are in storage. Ensure there are no broken or missing bulbs, that no wires have frayed, and that your connection is secure.
Shock Hazard
If you like to decorate your home with electric decoration or lights, keep a close eye on those cords! Twinkling lights are a holiday staple, but the cords powering them can be dangerous for dogs. If you have a chewer, the extra electrical cords might draw their attention. Use cord covers to hide wires or secure them along walls and furniture. Consider purchasing pet-proof cord protectors or bitter-tasting sprays to deter chewing. Always unplug decorations when you’re not home to supervise.
99 Problems, But Your Dog Won't Be One
With a little planning, you can go through the holidays stress-free (at least where your dog is concerned, we can't speak for the in-laws). By avoiding common hazards and opting for pet-friendly alternatives, you’ll guarantee a holiday season that is easy and safe for everyone in your household–furry ones included.
