Christmas with Pets

Christmas should be joyful for the whole family — including your pets. However, many traditional holiday foods and leftovers are surprisingly hazardous for dogs and cats, and seasonal treats like mince pies, chocolate, and sweeteners can lead to serious illness or emergency vet visits if eaten.

Play this fun interactive game below to get some tips and guidance on common hazards or scroll down for more advice.

Seasonal Pet Safety

Festive ingredients that are safe for people can be toxic or injurious to pets. For example:

  • Onions and gravy contain compounds that can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia in dogs.

  • Chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats and can lead to vomiting, tremors or worse.

  • Cooked poultry bones (such as turkey or chicken) can splinter and cause choking or perforate the digestive tract.

  • Xylitol, a common sugar substitute in sugar-free sweets and baked goods, can trigger rapid hypoglycaemia and liver failure in dogs.

  • Raisins and sultanas, often found in mince pies or Christmas pudding, can cause severe kidney damage — even in small amounts.

These hazards are frequent causes of emergency veterinary visits over the holiday period and are easily prevented with awareness and planning.

Essential Christmas Pet Safety Tips

Here’s a checklist of precautions you can take this festive season:

🎄 Food and Treats

  • Keep chocolate, sweets, mince pies, Christmas pudding and fruitcake well out of reach.

  • Avoid feeding cooked bones or rich leftovers to your pet.

  • Be especially careful with products containing xylitol (often found in sugar-free products).

🌿 Decorations and Plants

  • Tinsel, ribbons, and small decoration pieces can be tempting to pets but cause intestinal blockages if swallowed.

  • Consider placing breakable or harmful decorations out of reach.

  • Festive plants like mistletoe, holly and ivy can cause irritation or poisoning if chewed.

🏡 General Safety

  • Supervise pets around gatherings; changes in routine or noise can increase stress.

  • Provide a quiet, safe retreat for anxious pets.

  • Ensure bones, wrappers and food scraps are disposed of securely.

What to Do if Your Pet Eats Something Dangerous

If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic or dangerous:

  1. Keep calm and take note of what and how much was ingested.

  2. Contact your vet immediately or an emergency clinic — do not wait for symptoms to appear.

  3. Bring any packaging or food samples with you if possible.

Prompt action can make the difference between a minor upset and a life-threatening emergency.