Holiday Safety Tips for Dog Owners (Christmas & New Year)

The Holidays Are Wonderful -- and Dangerous for Dogs

The stretch from Thanksgiving through New Year is the busiest time of year for veterinary emergency clinics. Between toxic foods, dangerous decorations, stressed-out schedules, and fireworks, the holiday season presents more hazards for dogs than any other time of year.

The good news is that nearly all holiday emergencies are preventable. Here is a comprehensive guide to keeping your dog safe and happy through the season.

Toxic Holiday Foods

The holiday table is loaded with foods that are delicious for humans and dangerous for dogs. Make sure every member of your household -- and every guest -- knows what is off limits.

Foods That Are Toxic or Dangerous

Chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate are the most toxic. Even milk chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, and seizures in sufficient quantities.
Xylitol. This sugar substitute is found in sugar-free candy, gum, baked goods, and some peanut butters. Even small amounts can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar, liver failure, and death in dogs.
Grapes and raisins. Found in fruitcake, trail mix, and holiday baking. Even a small number can cause acute kidney failure in some dogs.
Onions and garlic. Common in stuffing, gravy, and casseroles. They damage red blood cells and can cause anemia, especially with repeated exposure.
Macadamia nuts. Cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia. Often found in cookies and gift baskets.
Cooked bones. Turkey and ham bones splinter when cooked and can puncture the digestive tract or cause blockages.
Alcohol. Beer, wine, liquor, and foods containing alcohol (rum cake, bourbon balls) can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death.
Fatty foods. Rich, greasy foods like ham, turkey skin, gravy, and butter can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic

Do not wait for symptoms. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately.
Be ready to tell them what your dog ate, approximately how much, and when.
Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian.
If directed to go to an emergency clinic, bring the packaging or a sample of what your dog ingested.

Dangerous Decorations

Holiday decorations are colorful, sparkly, and fascinating to dogs -- which is exactly what makes them dangerous.

Christmas Tree Hazards

Tinsel. Extremely dangerous if swallowed. It can cause a linear foreign body obstruction in the intestines, which often requires emergency surgery.
Ornaments. Glass ornaments shatter into sharp fragments. Hang breakable ornaments high on the tree, out of tail-wagging range.
Tree water. Stagnant tree water can contain bacteria, mold, fertilizer, and sap. Cover the water basin or use a tree skirt that blocks access.
Electrical cords. Dogs who chew on light cords risk electrical burns to the mouth, electrical shock, or house fires. Use cord covers or bitter apple spray to deter chewing.

Other Decoration Concerns

Candles. A wagging tail can knock over a candle in an instant. Use flameless LED candles if your dog has access to the room.
Potpourri. Liquid potpourri is caustic and can burn the mouth, esophagus, and skin on contact. Dry potpourri can cause gastrointestinal obstruction if eaten.
Gift wrap and ribbons. Ribbon, yarn, and string are linear foreign body risks, similar to tinsel. Dispose of wrapping materials promptly after gifts are opened.
Snow globes. Some contain antifreeze (ethylene glycol), which is extremely toxic to dogs. Even a small amount can cause kidney failure.

Toxic Holiday Plants

Several popular holiday plants pose risks to dogs:

Poinsettias. Mildly toxic. Ingestion typically causes drooling, vomiting, and mild gastrointestinal irritation. Rarely serious, but still worth keeping out of reach.
Mistletoe. More dangerous than poinsettias. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and cardiovascular problems depending on the species and amount ingested.
Holly. The berries and leaves cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
Amaryllis. The bulb is the most toxic part. Causes vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and tremors.
Christmas cactus. Generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.

If you want greenery in your home, consider artificial versions of toxic plants or choose pet-safe alternatives.

Managing Holiday Stress

The holidays disrupt routines, introduce unfamiliar guests, and fill your home with unusual sights, sounds, and smells. For many dogs, this is genuinely stressful.

Signs of stress in dogs:

Panting when not hot or exercised
Pacing or inability to settle
Hiding or retreating to another room
Loss of appetite
Excessive licking or yawning
Trembling
Changes in bathroom habits

How to reduce holiday stress:

Maintain your dog's routine as closely as possible. Same walk times, same feeding times, same bedtime.
Provide a quiet retreat. Set up a room or crate away from the activity where your dog can go when things get overwhelming. Add familiar bedding, a chew toy, and consider playing soft music or white noise.
Brief guests on the rules. Ask visitors not to feed your dog from the table, not to approach the dog if they are in their retreat space, and to let the dog approach them on their own terms.
Exercise before events. A well-exercised dog handles stress better. Get a good walk or play session in before guests arrive.
Consider calming aids. For dogs with significant anxiety, talk to your vet about options like the Thundershirt, Adaptil pheromone diffusers, or prescription anti-anxiety medication for particularly stressful events.

Fireworks and New Year's Eve

Fireworks are one of the most common causes of noise phobia in dogs. New Year's Eve fireworks can cause panic, escape attempts, and injuries.

Preparing for fireworks:

Bring your dog inside well before fireworks start. Do not leave them in the yard.
Close windows, curtains, and blinds to muffle sound and block light flashes.
Turn on the TV, music, or a white noise machine to create competing background noise.
Create a safe space. Many dogs feel safest in an interior room, a closet, or their crate (if they are crate-trained and the crate is their safe space).
Stay calm yourself. Dogs pick up on our anxiety. Act normal, and avoid making a fuss over the noise.
Update ID tags and microchip information. More dogs go missing on New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July than any other days of the year. If your dog escapes, current identification dramatically increases the chances of a reunion.
Talk to your vet in advance if your dog has severe noise phobia. Prescription medications like trazodone or sileo can be very effective when given proactively, but they need to be prescribed and dosed ahead of time.

Holiday Travel With Your Dog

If you are traveling with your dog over the holidays, plan ahead:

Update vaccinations and obtain health certificates if crossing state lines or boarding your dog
Bring familiar items -- their bed, a favorite toy, their regular food -- to reduce stress in an unfamiliar environment
Research emergency vet clinics at your destination before you leave
Secure your dog in the car with a crash-tested harness or a secured crate
Never leave your dog unattended in a car in cold weather -- hypothermia is as dangerous as heatstroke

If leaving your dog at home with a pet sitter, provide detailed instructions on feeding, medications, emergency contacts, and your veterinarian's information.

Enjoy the Season Safely

The holidays should be a celebration for your whole family, including the four-legged members. A little preparation and awareness is all it takes to keep your dog safe through the season. Keep toxic foods secured, supervise around decorations, maintain routines, and plan ahead for fireworks and travel. Your dog will be happier, safer, and ready to ring in the new year with you.