Preparation
Holiday gatherings can be a challenging time for pets. A home full of visitors may be exciting, stressful, or overwhelming. Plentiful food, festive decorations, and twinkling lights all pose some risk to curious furry family members, but a little preparation goes a long way in avoiding holiday hazards.
Know the hours, locations, and phone numbers of your pet’s primary veterinary clinic, the closest urgent care and emergency hospital, and Animal Poison Control.
MVA and MVUCS: 610-666-1050
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435
Prepare a quiet space for your pet where they can escape the hubbub. Provide a crate, bedding, favorite toys, or other comfort items so they can rest when they need it. Notify your guests that you have a pet to prevent escapes and injuries. In case your pet does slip out, ensure their identification tags and microchips have your current contact information.
Food
Steer clear of table scraps. If you want your pet to share in the feast, have treats that are formulated especially for them. Many of our indulgent holiday foods can make your pet sick. Some foods that are particularly dangerous for your pet:
Uncooked food poses risks for your pet just as it would for you. Raw meat contains harmful bacteria that can cause serious GI upset and infection. Raw yeast dough continues to rise in the stomach, which can lead to painful and dangerous bloating.
Table Scraps tend to be too rich for our pets. Unfamiliar foods can cause GI upset, and too much of a tasty treat can lead to pancreatitis. Bones can splinter and cause injury or blockage along the GI tract.
Candy and Desserts often contain ingredients that are toxic to pets. Chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, muscle tremors, restlessness, cardiac arrhythmias, and seizures. Xylitol can cause vomiting, staggering, seizures, collapse, excessive bleeding, and liver failure. Raisins and currants can cause acute kidney injury. Even without toxic ingredients, the richness of desserts can cause GI upset.
Decorations
Many holiday decorations look like toys to your pet. Keep ornaments that can break or pose a choking risk out of reach. Tinsel and ribbons are particularly tempting to cats and can cause intestinal blockage requiring surgery. Candles can easily catch a furry tail or fall against fabric furniture. Pets who like to chew may injure themselves on electrical lights and power cords. Anchor your tree and any other decorations big enough to cause injury if they tip. Many holiday plants are toxic to pets, including poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, amaryllis, balsam, pine, and cedar.
Visitors
Family and friends can be a lot. Let your guests know if your pet enjoys attention or personal space. Advise them to keep outside doors closed and food out of reach. Check on your pet occasionally to see if they need some down time. Talk to your veterinarian in advance if you think your pet might benefit from medicine to keep them calm.