Holiday Hazards for Pets: Thanksgiving and Christmas

The holidays bring rich food, decorations, guests, and travel. They also bring a spike in preventable emergencies. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping dogs and cats safe and comfortable through Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Kitchen and table risks

Rich, fatty foods can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes serious inflammation of the pancreas. Keep pets away from turkey skin, gravy, ham trimmings, prime rib fat, and buttery sides. Do not give cooked bones. Poultry bones splinter and can cause choking or intestinal injury. Watch for kitchen strings, skewers, and foil that smells like food. These are common causes of foreign body obstruction.

Toxic foods to avoid

Chocolate is a year round problem and dark varieties are the most dangerous. Sugar free gum and baked goods that contain xylitol can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver failure in dogs. Grapes and raisins in stuffing or fruitcake can cause kidney failure. Onions, garlic, and chives can damage red blood cells. Alcohol is unsafe even in small amounts. Raw bread dough can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol as it rises. Macadamia nuts can cause weakness and tremors in dogs. In the Pacific Northwest, raw or undercooked salmon and some trout can carry an organism that leads to salmon poisoning in dogs, so keep fish scraps off limits.

Trash and leftovers

Secure the trash can and clear plates quickly. Corn cobs, husks from tamales, fat trimmings, bones, and roasting twine are frequent culprits when we see vomiting and abdominal pain after a holiday meal. If your pet raids the trash, call for guidance before problems occur. Having the package or a photo of the ingredient list helps us advise you. 

Guests, doors, and routine changes

Extra visitors and noise can stress pets and increase the risk of door dashing. Set up a quiet room with water, a bed, and for cats, a litter box. Ask guests not to feed table scraps. Make sure collars fit and that microchip information is current. If your dog or cat is anxious with visitors, travel, or fireworks, talk with us ahead of time. We do have medications that can make specific stressful events easier. 

Decorations and plants

Tinsel, ribbon, and string are very tempting for cats and can cause dangerous linear intestinal problems. Fragile ornaments can cut paws or mouths. Keep batteries, small toys, and silica packs out of reach. Cover electrical cords, and never leave pets unattended near candles or space heaters. Christmas tree water can contain fertilizer or bacteria that cause stomach upset. Lilies are extremely toxic to cats and even small exposures can cause kidney failure. Holly and mistletoe can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Poinsettias are usually mild irritants but still best kept away from curious pets.

Cold weather and outdoor hazards

Many ice melt products irritate paws and can cause stomach upset if licked off. Wipe feet after walks. Antifreeze containing ethylene glycol is highly toxic and attractive to pets because of its sweet taste. Clean spills right away and store containers securely.

When to call a veterinarian

Contact us promptly for repeated vomiting, diarrhea with lethargy, a swollen or painful belly, breathing changes, tremors, seizures, known ingestion of a toxic item, or if a pet seems off after getting into food or trash. Quick action often prevents a small problem from becoming a crisis.

At Northwest Mobile Vet, we are here to help you navigate the season with practical, calm guidance. If you have questions about what is safe or what to do after a mishap, reach out!