Pet Safety: How to Prepare Your Home for the Holidays

The holidays are exciting for the whole family — including your pets. But holiday decorations, food, and visitors can create a surprising number of hazards for dogs and cats. With a little planning before the season kicks into gear, you can keep your home festive and your pet safe.

Secure Your Christmas Tree

A decorated Christmas tree is one of the biggest hazards in a holiday home for pets. Cats are notorious climbers who will attempt to scale the tree, and dogs may be drawn to low-hanging ornaments. Either way, a toppling tree can injure a pet — and a broken ornament can cause serious harm if ingested.

Start with a sturdy tree stand rated for the size of your tree. For extra security, anchor the top of the tree to a wall with fishing line — it’s nearly invisible but keeps the tree upright even if a cat gets into it. Consider placing the tree in a corner where access is naturally limited.

Keep fragile ornaments and any ornaments with small parts on the upper branches, out of reach. Skip tinsel entirely if you have cats — it’s one of the most common causes of intestinal blockages in cats during the holidays. If you need to create a perimeter around the tree, a freestanding pet gate works well and can be set up and taken down without damaging your floor.

Know Which Plants Are Toxic to Pets

Several classic holiday plants are dangerous to pets and are commonly brought into homes this time of year. Knowing which ones to avoid — or keep completely out of reach — can prevent a serious emergency.

Poinsettias cause irritation to the mouth and stomach in cats and dogs. They’re mildly toxic rather than severely dangerous, but still worth keeping off the floor and low surfaces.

Holly and mistletoe are significantly more dangerous. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and in severe cases, heart arrhythmias. Keep these completely out of reach or substitute with pet-safe faux versions.

Lilies are extremely dangerous for cats — even small amounts can cause acute kidney failure. If you receive holiday flower arrangements, check the contents before bringing them inside. A pet safety reference guide is a useful thing to have on hand for quick checks.

Keep Holiday Foods Away From Your Pet

Holiday meals often include foods that are toxic to pets. Common offenders include:

Chocolate — toxic to both dogs and cats; darker chocolate is more dangerous, but all forms should be kept securely stored and off counters and tables.

Grapes and raisins — can cause kidney failure in dogs; even small amounts have caused serious illness.

Xylitol — found in many sugar-free baked goods, candies, and gum; extremely toxic to dogs and can cause life-threatening drops in blood sugar.

Cooked bones — turkey and chicken bones splinter easily and can cause internal injuries. Dispose of them in a closed trash can your pet can’t access. A trash can with a locking lid is one of the best investments you can make for pet safety in the kitchen.

During meals, make sure guests know not to feed your pet from the table. The rule is easiest to enforce if your pet is simply not in the dining room during the meal — a gate or a comfortable crate setup keeps everyone happy.

Manage Holiday Stress for Your Pet

Guests, noise, and disrupted routines are stressful for many animals, even pets that are generally friendly. A pet that’s anxious may be more likely to bolt through an open door, snap at an unfamiliar child, or hide and develop stress-related health issues.

Set up a quiet retreat space for your pet — a room with their bed, water, and familiar items — where they can go when the household gets loud. Make sure all guests know to respect that space.

If your pet is prone to anxiety around noise (fireworks on New Year’s Eve are a common trigger), talk to your vet about options. There are also non-prescription options like calming chews or pheromone diffusers that many pet owners find helpful during high-stress periods.

Check ID Tags and Microchips Before the Season

The holidays are a time of open doors, distracted owners, and unfamiliar visitors — all of which increase the chance a pet gets out. Before the season, make sure your pet’s ID tags are current with your phone number, and if your pet is microchipped, verify that the registration is up to date with your current contact information.

If your pet isn’t microchipped, consider scheduling it before the holidays. It’s a quick procedure that dramatically increases the chance of being reunited if your pet goes missing.

A little preparation goes a long way. Most pet holiday emergencies are preventable with the steps above — and knowing your home is safe lets you enjoy the season without worry.