Holiday sparkle, tasty treats, extra noise and guests can spell trouble for pets. Here’s how to celebrate safely without an emergency vet visit.
Dr. Tony Coronado
Vice President of Emergency Medicine, Thrive Pet Healthcare
The sparkle of the holidays can tempt even the best-behaved pets into trouble. A few precautions can keep your celebrations merry and your veterinarian off speed dial.
Deck the halls, safely:
- Secure the tree: Cats see Christmas trees as climbing challenges. Anchor the tree and use shatterproof ornaments. Skip the tinsel because it can cause severe intestinal damage if swallowed.
- Choose pet-friendly plants: Poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly are toxic. Try rosemary or a Christmas cactus instead.
- Avoid open flames: Swap candles for flameless ones to prevent burns or fires.
- Store potpourri and scented oils: These can cause chemical burns or poisoning, especially for cats.
The holiday food “naughty” list:
- Chocolate (especially dark or baking)
- Turkey bones (especially cooked), skin, or fatty trimmings
- Alcohol or rum-soaked desserts
- Grapes, raisins, and currants
- Onions and garlic
- Xylitol (a common sugar replacement in baked goods, gum, and candy)
Ask guests not to feed your pets. Even well-meaning treats can lead to stomach upset and an unexpected vet visit. Instead, offer plain, cooked turkey (no bones), pumpkin (not pie filling), sweet potatoes, green beans, or their usual treats.
Plan, watch, and act fast:
Give pets space to relax away from the guests and music.
Traveling? Before you go, know where emergency vet clinics are located. Boarding or hiring a sitter may be the safer option. Recognize pet danger signs: vomiting, drooling, shaking, wobbling, lethargy or refusing food can signal poisoning or illness. Don’t wait! Call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 immediately.
*Valid at participating Thrive Pet Healthcare partner emergency care hospitals 11/22/2025 through 1/4/2026. Thrive Pet Healthcare Specialists Hoffman Estates, and After Hour Animal Hospital are excluded. Applies to one exam only and does not include any other services or products. One per household. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Not redeemable for cash. Valid for one pet (dog or cat) only. Must mention code ER50 at check-in.
