12 Pet Hazards of Christmas

12 Hazards of Christmas: Keeping Your Pets Safe This Festive Season

The festive season is a magical time filled with sparkling lights, delicious treats and plenty of family fun. But for our furry friends, Christmas can be a minefield of hidden dangers. From chocolates hanging on the tree to tinsel decorations, there are many festive hazards that can seriously affect your pet’s health. Here are 12 things to watch out for this Christmas to ensure your pets stay safe and happy:-

1. Chocolate
Chocolate remains one of the most common festive hazards for pets. Even small amounts can be toxic, causing vomiting, diarrhoea and in severe cases, heart issues. If your pet gets into your stash of festive treats, call your vet immediately - they can calculate a safe response based on your pet’s size and the type of chocolate consumed.

2. Christmas Puddings, Cakes & Mince Pies
Delicious for us, dangerous for pets. Grapes, dried fruit such as raisins, currants and sultanas can cause kidney damage, digestive upset or choking. Even a few grapes or raisins can be fatal for dogs.

3. Nuts
Whole nuts can be a choking hazard, and the shells may lead to vomiting or intestinal blockages. Keep them out of reach of inquisitive paws.

4. Bones
Bones from meat, poultry and fish can splinter, piercing the intestines or causing obstructions. Be wary of discarded bones in bin bags - they’re a surprisingly common cause of emergencies during the festive period.

5. Alcohol
Alcohol is also extremely toxic to pets - their livers cannot process it like ours, and even small amounts can be life-threatening..

6. Onions & Garlic
Found in gravy, stuffing, and festive dishes, onions, garlic, chives, and leeks can cause red blood cell destruction in pets, leading to lethargy, vomiting, or even collapse. Dried versions, including powders in sauces and stuffing are just as toxic.

7. Rock Salt
Walking on pavements treated with grit can leave pets with salt on their paws, which can cause vomiting or kidney issues if ingested. Always wash your pet’s paws after winter walks.

8. Tinsel, Ribbon & Fairy Lights
Cats and dogs are drawn to shiny decorations. Tinsel and ribbon can cause serious intestinal blockages if swallowed, while chewed fairy lights may result in electrocution. Keep these out of reach and supervise pets around the Christmas tree.

9. Batteries & Small Toys
Many Christmas gifts contain small batteries, especially button or lithium batteries, which can cause severe damage to a pet’s mouth and digestive tract if swallowed. Make sure toys are pet-safe and check they are the correct size to prevent choking hazards.

10. Festive Plants
A number of yule time plants are toxic to pets if chewed:
• Holly: Berries are poisonous to dogs, cats and humans.
• Poinsettia: Red leaves are mildly toxic, causing excessive drooling and vomiting.
• Mistletoe: Highly toxic can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties and even death.
• Amaryllis: Causes vomiting, drooling, shaking and seizures.
• Lilies: Extremely dangerous to cats; ingestion can be fatal.

11. Human Medicine
Over the counter and prescription drugs safe for humans can be deadly for pets. Keep medications out of reach and never give them to pets without veterinary guidance.

12. Mouldy Food & Kitchen Waste
We often have a tendency to over cater at Christmas, and this can lead to food going mouldy, which can be lethal if ingested by pets. Signs of mould poisoning include restlessness, tremors, salivation, hypersensitivity and seizures. Secure kitchen waste and consult your vet immediately if ingestion occurs.
Christmas is a time for joy - but accidents can and do happen. By being aware of these hazards and taking simple precautions, you can ensure your pets stay safe while you enjoy the festive fun. Remember here at Bishopton Vets, our fabulous team are here 24/7 to offer a helping hand if the unexpected happens.