Holiday Pet Safety Checklist: Foods, Plants and Decorations to Keep Out of Reach

The holidays put more food on counters, more plants on tables and more shiny, dangly things at pet height than any other time of year. Most problems are preventable with a bit of planning and a few simple barriers.

This is a practical checklist, not medical guidance. If you think your pet has eaten something harmful, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control line right away rather than waiting for symptoms.

Holiday foods that are risky for pets

The list of foods that can harm dogs and cats is longer than most people realize, and holiday menus are full of them. The safest rule is simple: no table scraps during the holidays, and ask guests (especially kids) not to share. Here are the items worth knowing by name.

Pets don't need to raid the table to find these. The usual route is a counter-surfing dog, a dropped plate, a guest's handbag on the floor with gum in it, or a trash bag full of carcass and foil. Prevention is mostly about access.

Kitchen and dining room checklist

• Food stays pushed to the back of counters, not near the edge.
• The trash has a lid your dog can't open, or it lives behind a closed door.
• Roast carcasses and bones go straight to an outdoor bin.
• Guests' bags and coats go in a closed room, not on the floor or couch.
• Gift-wrapped food (chocolate, nuts, cookies) goes on a high shelf, not under the tree. Dogs can smell through wrapping paper.
• Pets have a quiet room or crate during the main meal.

Shop locking-lid trash cans

Holiday plants: which ones to worry about

Seasonal plants vary a lot in how risky they are, and a couple of them get more or less attention than they deserve.

• Lilies (true lilies and daylilies) are the big one for cats. They're common in holiday and winter bouquets, and every part of the plant, including the pollen and the vase water, is considered dangerous to cats. If you have a cat, the safest choice is not to bring lilies into the house at all, and to ask friends not to send them.
• Holly and mistletoe are both considered toxic to pets, including the berries. Keep them well out of reach or use artificial versions.
• Amaryllis, a popular holiday bulb, is also considered toxic to dogs and cats, especially the bulb.
• Poinsettias have a scarier reputation than they deserve. The sap is generally described as mildly irritating, so chewing can cause drooling or a stomach upset. Still worth keeping out of reach, but not a reason to panic.

Decorations: the hazards that catch people out

Tinsel, ribbon and string (especially for cats)

Cats love anything long, thin and wiggly, and their tongues are designed to pull things backward toward the throat. Swallowed tinsel, ribbon, curling ribbon, yarn or string can bunch up in the intestines, which is a genuine emergency. If you have a cat, skip tinsel entirely, clean up wrapping ribbon right after gifts are opened, and store craft string away. If you ever see string hanging from your cat's mouth or rear end, don't pull it; call your vet.

Ornaments and hooks

Glass ornaments shatter into sharp pieces, and metal hooks can be swallowed. Keep breakables on the upper half of the tree and use shatterproof ornaments down low. Salt-dough ornaments are a special case: they're tempting to dogs and contain a lot of salt, so hang homemade ones out of reach.

Browse shatterproof ornaments

The tree itself

Anchor the tree so a climbing cat or a bumping dog can't knock it over, and cover the stand so pets can't drink the water, which may contain preservatives or bacteria. We cover gates, skirts and barriers in detail in Pets and the Christmas Tree.

Lights and cords

More cords means more chewing opportunities, particularly for puppies, kittens and rabbits. Route cords behind furniture, use cord covers on exposed runs, and unplug lights when you're not home.

See cord protectors for pets

Candles, potpourri and scents

Wagging tails knock candles over and curious cats walk across tables. Use flameless LED candles in pet homes, or keep real ones high and never unattended. Simmering liquid potpourri can burn curious tongues and paws. Some essential oils used in diffusers are a concern for cats in particular; if you use them, ask your vet what's appropriate for your household.

Small stuff

• Batteries, especially button batteries from new toys and gadgets, are dangerous if chewed or swallowed.
• Snow globes: some imported ones have been found to contain antifreeze. Keep them out of reach and clean up any breakage thoroughly.
• Silica gel packets, foil, plastic wrap, and new toys with small parts all end up on the floor on gift-opening morning.

Guests, doors and stress

Not all holiday risks are things pets eat. Doors opening and closing for guests are a classic escape opportunity, and noise, crowds and changes in routine can stress pets out.

1. Check ID before the busy days. Make sure your pet's collar tag is legible and that the microchip registration has your current phone number.
2. Set up a quiet room. A spare bedroom with water, a bed, a litter box for cats and a closed door gives pets somewhere to retreat.
3. Use a gate at the front of the house if your dog tends to bolt when the door opens.
4. Brief your guests. No feeding from plates, keep doors closed, and leave the cat alone if it's hiding.
5. Keep routines close to normal. Walks and meals at the usual times help a lot.

Shop wide pet gates for doorways

If something goes wrong

Before the holidays start, save three numbers in your phone: your regular vet, the nearest emergency or 24-hour vet clinic (check their holiday hours), and an animal poison control line. In the US, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and the Pet Poison Helpline both run hotlines; their numbers are on their websites, and a consultation fee may apply.

If you think your pet has eaten something harmful, call right away, even if your pet seems fine. Have the packaging or a photo of the label handy, and a rough idea of how much was eaten and when. Don't try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.