A Veterinarian’s Guide to Keeping Dogs & Cats Safe This Season

The holidays bring joy, gorgeous decorations, and delicious food—but they also bring a sharp rise in pet emergencies. December is one of the busiest months for veterinary ERs due to toxic ingestions, foreign bodies, and GI upset.

Here are the most common Christmas toxins every pet owner should know—plus what to do if your dog or cat gets into something dangerous.

🍫 1. Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the most frequent holiday hazards. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to pets—especially in dark or baking chocolate.

Possible symptoms:

• Vomiting

• Restlessness

• Tremors

• Rapid heart rate

• Seizures

Holiday tip: Keep wrapped chocolate gifts, advent calendars, and baking supplies far out of reach. Pets WILL sniff them out.

🍬 2. Sugar-Free Candy (Xylitol)

Xylitol is extremely dangerous for dogs. It is commonly found in:

• Sugar-free chocolates

• Gum & mints

• Sugar-free baked goods

• Peanut butter

• Protein bars

Xylitol ingestion can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia within minutes, and higher doses can trigger liver failure.

🍇 3. Grapes & Raisins

Even a single raisin or grape can cause acute kidney failure in dogs.

Holiday foods that often contain them include:

• Fruitcake

• Stuffing

• Trail mixes

• Christmas cookies

If your pet eats grapes or raisins, call your veterinarian immediately.

🥧 4. Fatty or Rich Holiday Foods

Turkey skin, ham, gravy, butter, and creamy casseroles can cause pancreatitis, a painful and potentially dangerous inflammation of the pancreas.

Symptoms include:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Hunched posture

• Abdominal pain

• Lethargy

Avoid feeding pets table scraps, no matter how tempting.

🍷 5. Alcohol & Fermenting Dough

Pets may ingest alcohol from:

• Spilled drinks

• Cocktail glasses left out

• Holiday punch bowls

• Raw bread dough (yeast produces alcohol inside the stomach)

Even small amounts can cause vomiting, low blood sugar, tremors, disorientation, and respiratory depression.

🎄 6. Christmas Tree Water

Tree water often contains:

• Bacteria

• Mold

• Fertilizer residue

• Tree preservatives (sometimes aspirin-like chemicals)

Drinking it can cause GI upset or toxicity.
Solution: Cover the tree stand or block access with a barrier.

🌿 7. Toxic Holiday Plants

Severely Toxic:

• Lilies → Extremely dangerous to cats; even pollen can cause kidney failure.

Moderately Toxic:

• Mistletoe

• Holly

Mild GI Irritants:

• Poinsettias

• Christmas cactus

If you have cats, keep lilies completely out of your home.

🎁 8. Tinsel, Ribbon & Gift Wrap

These are not chemical toxins but cause some of the most common holiday surgical emergencies.

Cats especially love to play with:

• Tinsel

• Yarn

• Ribbon

• Curling bows

These can cause linear foreign bodies, often requiring surgery.

🕯️ 9. Essential Oils & Holiday Scents

Some essential oils found in holiday diffusers and candles are toxic—especially to cats:

• Wintergreen

• Cinnamon

• Pine

• Peppermint

• Tea tree

• Eucalyptus

• Clove

Signs include drooling, coughing, vomiting, and skin irritation.

🩺 What to Do If Your Pet Ingests a Holiday Toxin

1. Stay calm and identify what was eaten and how much.

2. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

3. Call Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if your vet is unavailable.

4. Do NOT induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian.
   Some toxins—like caustic substances—can cause more damage coming back up.

🧰 Be Prepared: Must-Have First Aid Tools for Holiday Emergencies

🐾 PetVet Medic® First Aid Kit

A veterinary-designed kit that includes wound care supplies, GI upset tools, dosage charts, bandaging materials, and emergency instructions.

👉 Shop the PetVet Medic® First Aid Kit:
https://petvetproduct.com/products/first-aid-kit?variant=50220766626114

This kit helps stabilize your pet before getting to the veterinarian—especially during the busy holiday season when clinics may be backed up.

🐾 PetVet Medic® Activated Charcoal Gel

Veterinarian-formulated charcoal gel designed to help reduce absorption of certain toxins.

👉 Shop PetVet Medic® Activated Charcoal Gel:
https://petvetproduct.com/products/pet-vet-activated-charcoal-gel-for-dogs-cats-60-ml-veterinary-formulated-natural-beef-flavor-fast-toxin-adsorption-for-poisoning-stomach-upset-diarrhea-gas-relief-made-in-usa-at-fda-registered-facility

Activated charcoal can be helpful in cases of certain food or household toxin exposures.

🎅 Keep Your Pets Safe This Christmas

A little preparation goes a long way. Avoid dangerous foods, secure decorations, and keep emergency supplies on hand. With awareness, you can enjoy a safe, joyful holiday season with your pets.

For more veterinarian-trusted safety products, visit PetVetProducts.com or follow us on Instagram @pet_vet_products.