The holidays can be a lot of fun, but they can also present opportunities for your pets to encounter things that cause them anxiety. It can be a stressful time of year for pets, especially if it involves travel and/or new people.

With just a little bit of preparation, you can make sure your furry family members remain healthy and happy even during the holidays.

Pet-Safety Tips for the Holidays

A harmless decoration or a delicious meal can quickly turn into a hazard for dogs. Here are a few tips to help keep your dogs and other pets safe during the most fun and happy times of the year.

1. Holiday foods to keep away from dogs.

It is really tempting to share a bite of food with your four-legged friends while you are feasting with your family. You’ll want to be careful with the types of scraps you share with them. Here are a few holiday foods that should not be fed to a dog.

• Chocolate: Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, contains caffeine and theobromine. Consuming chocolate can cause your dog to develop agitation, gastrointestinal distress, tremors, and, at higher doses, seizures.
• Fatty Foods: Bacon, cheese, ham, and other super fatty foods can cause pets to get GI upset. In some cases, dogs can develop pancreatitis from eating high-fat foods.
• Macadamia Nuts: Don’t feed your pet macadamia nuts. It is unknown how much they can have before it is toxic to them. Pets can develop vomiting and lethargy for a short time. After a few hours, they may have trouble walking.
• Raisins and Grapes: Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage in dogs.
• Corncobs: Corncobs pose a couple of dangers for dogs. They are a choking hazard and can cause an intestinal blockage, which may need to be fixed with surgery.
• Foods with Xylitol: Foods that contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener, can cause your dog’s blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low.

If your dog does eat something that they should not have, the first signs may be vomiting, diarrhea, or an upset stomach. If you notice these signs, make sure to call the vet as soon as you can. They can help figure out if the food or ingredients consumed by your dog are harmful or not. If your dog is vomiting, becomes lethargic, or does not want to eat and has other symptoms like difficulty walking or weakness, reach out to your local Vet ER.

2. Remove hazardous plants and holiday decorations.

Cats are known to be curious, but dogs can be curious, too. Christmas decorations and curiosity don’t mix well. You’ll want to dog-proof your Christmas tree. Here are a few dangerous Christmas decorations for pets.

• Christmas Tree Ornaments. Cats like to knock ornaments off the Christmas tree; dogs love to chew on them. Some materials that are used to make ornaments can injure your dog’s mouth. If a glass ornament shatters, sharp pieces can get stuck in your dog’s paw. Protect your pets by using shatterproof ornaments and picking them up quickly if they fall on the floor.
• Electrical Cords. Puppies love to chew on stuff, and that includes electrical cords used for holiday lights. The cord can cause electrical shock. Keep them off the floor and wrapped up to protect your pets.
• Ribbons and Tinsel. One of the most common surgical emergencies vets see during the holiday season is for pets who have ingested tinsel or ribbons.

Holiday plants.

There are a few plants and flowers that can be poisonous to pets. Here are four of the most common plants that are dangerous to pets.

• Poinsettias
• Azaleas
• Lilies
• Yew

If you have reason to believe that your pet has eaten any of these plants, call your vet immediately. The sooner they can be seen, the better the prognosis.

3. Prepare your dogs for traveling.

Before traveling with a dog, make sure you and your pet are prepared. That won’t always eliminate travel anxiety, but there are a few things you can do to help them be as comfortable as possible.

Dogs and Car Rides

You’ll want a good kennel or harness for your dog, just for their protection. Keep your pets hydrated by bringing water with you. Stop at safe places for potty breaks. Most rest stops have a dog-friendly area.

Feed your pets smaller amounts than normal if they get car sick while traveling. You may want to talk to your vet about prescribing anti-nausea or anti-anxiety meds to make your trip go more smoothly.

Dogs and Plane Rides

Let your dog get used to their travel crate long before the flight. Creating a positive association with their crate can minimize travel stress. Make sure to pack their food, medical records, and any medication. Your vet may suggest medications for anxiety or nausea.

No matter how you travel with your dog, make sure they always wear up-to-date ID tags.

4. Help keep an anxious or stressed-out pet calm.

Animals need routine, and even small changes can be stressful for them. Pets will let you know they are experiencing holiday anxiety in a number of ways, including:

• Hiding
• Eating less
• Pacing
• Panting
• Shaking
• Whining
• Vocalizing

There are a few things you can do to help keep them as calm as you can.

Create a safe space. If you are hosting a party, put your pet in a safe, calm area that is away from your guests.

Keep them occupied. Try using doggie toys they find interesting or lick mats to help keep your pet distracted.

Keep them close. Sometimes dogs are calmer, even in tense situations, if they can just touch you. If possible, let them sit near you or in your lap if you have a small breed.

5. Know where your dog is at all times.

You’ll want to keep a close eye on things even if you feel like you have pet-proofed your home. Dogs are known to get into things, so watch them closely to make sure they don’t. Also, keep an eye on the doors, especially if people are coming in and out of your home. A dog can slip out the door quickly unnoticed. You may need to put up doggie gates or hand signs near your entrances as a reminder for guests to be watchful.

Your dog should always wear their ID tags on their collar or custom BrilliantK9 harness. If possible, have your dog microchipped with all your updated information. Then if they do get out, you can be contacted directly.

The holidays are a fun and joyous time. But they also create the perfect time for mischievous pets to get into things they shouldn’t. Do all you can to keep your dogs safe this holiday season!