The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it also brings unique risks for pets. At Braescroft Animal Clinic in Houston, TX, we understand how much your pets mean to you—whether furry, feathered, or scaly. We are here to help you keep all your beloved companions happy, healthy, and safe throughout the festivities. Follow these Holiday Pet Safety Tips to protect your cats, dogs, and exotic pets while celebrating this joyful season.

1. Keep Pets Out of These Holiday Treats

The holidays are full of tempting treats, but holiday foods can contain toxic ingredients for pets. Keep these out of reach:

• Chocolate – Even tiny amounts of theobromine and caffeine contained in chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or seizures in pets.
• Grapes and Raisins – A single grape or raisin can lead to kidney failure in dogs and cats. Keep holiday desserts like fruitcakes, rum cakes, muffins, and cookies out of reach of pets. Also, remember to watch for everyday foods containing raisins, like cereals, granola, protein bars, and trail mixes.
• Macadamia Nuts – These can result in tremors, fever, and weakness in dogs, even in small quantities.
• Xylitol – This sugar substitute, found in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, and other treats like ice cream, can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver failure.
• Onions, Garlic, and Chives – Some holiday foods containing these herbs are stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravies, roast meats, and poultry. Onion, garlic, and chives can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia in pets.
• Meat or Poultry Bones – Any bone from meat or poultry Meat and poultry can splinter, causing choking, internal injuries, blockages, or cracked teeth.

If your pets ingest any of the above foods, stay calm and contact pet poison control immediately. They will coordinate with your pet’s primary veterinarian or emergency veterinarian for treatment as needed.

2. Decorations: Festive but Risky

Holiday décor adds magic to the season but can attract curious pets, posing potential dangers:

• Tinsel and Ribbons – These shiny, dangling objects are irresistible to pets but swallowing them can lead to dangerous intestinal blockages and internal injuries.
• Breakable Ornaments – Pets may knock ornaments off the tree, leading to sharp pieces that can cut paws, mouths, or internal organs if swallowed. Choose non-breakable ornaments to reduce risks.
• Electrical Cords – Chewing on cords can result in electrical shock, burns, or fatal electrocution. Keep pets away from cords and use pet-safe cord covers. Unplug holiday lights when not in use.

3. Toxic Holiday Plants

• Poinsettias – Mildly irritating but generally not life-threatening.
• Mistletoe and Holly – These plants can cause stomach upset, vomiting, or heart issues in severe cases.
• Lilies – Lilies are extremely toxic to cats; all parts of the plant—flowers, leaves, pollen, and even vase water—can cause acute kidney failure. Even small exposures, such as licking pollen off fur or drinking vase water, can be fatal, with symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite often progressing rapidly. Immediate veterinary care is crucial. While lilies are less dangerous for dogs, some varieties, like peace lilies and calla lilies, can cause mild gastrointestinal upset, leading to drooling, vomiting, or pawing at the mouth. To ensure the safety of both cats and dogs, it is best to keep lilies out of reach.

Safe Alternatives: Pet-friendly plants like red and white roses, orchids, or Norfolk Pines are safe choices for households with pets.

Important Note:The above foods and plants are commonly toxic to all pets. But it is not a full list of all toxic foods and plants for dogs, cats, and exotic pets. We recommend getting a full list of all toxic foods and plants for your pet’s species and keeping it handy, like on the side of your refrigerator, as a reminder of foods and plants to keep away from your pet. Braescroft Animal Clinic can help you get these lists for your pet if you do not already have them.

4. Christmas Tree Safety

The Christmas tree is often the centerpiece of holiday décor but can pose risks for pets:

• Secure the Tree – Anchor it securely to prevent it from tipping over if pets climb or bump into it.
• Tree Water – Cover the tree stand to prevent pets from drinking water, which may contain fertilizers or harmful bacteria.
• Sweep Up Needles – Pine needles can cause irritation or punctures if ingested, so keep the area clean.

5. Set Up a Pet-Safe Holiday Vibe

Ensure your holiday traditions are cozy yet safe for your pets,

Candles – Opt for flameless candles to prevent accidental burns or fires.

Essential Oils – Oils like tea tree, peppermint, and eucalyptus are toxic to pets. Stick to pet-safe scents such as simmer pots with pet-safe ingredients like cinnamon sticks, apple slices, or dried lavender. Keep an eye on the simmer pot while pets are nearby and store it safely out of reach whenever you cannot supervise to prevent accidental ingestion or burns.

Fireplaces – Always use sturdy screens to shield pets from flames and hot embers and supervise pets whenever a fire is burning.

6. Discard Ribbons, Bows, and Wrapping Paper Immediately

After unwrapping gifts, promptly discard ribbons, bows, and strings. If ingested, these can cause life-threatening blockages that may require emergency surgery.

7. Give Pets a Quiet Holiday Retreat

The hustle and bustle of the holidays can overwhelm pets, especially with unfamiliar faces or noisy celebrations. Create a quiet, cozy space where your pet can relax. Include their bed, favorite toys, especially chew toys, and calming treats for cats or dogs to give them a stress-free retreat.

8. Host Guests with Pet Safety in Mind

Hosting holiday gatherings? Here are some ideas for pet holiday safety:

• Secure Entrances and Exits – Prevent accidental escapes by ensuring doors are kept closed or blocked off when guests come and go. If you cannot, put your pet in a safe place where they cannot escape.
• Inform Guests About Rules – Let guests know your pet safety rules, such as keeping doors closed or not feeding table scraps to pets.
• Secure Guests Belongings – When guests arrive, gather their coats and bags, and store them in a secure, pet-free area. This prevents curious pets from accessing potentially harmful items like candy, gum (which may contain toxic xylitol), or medications that guests could leave in pockets or purses.
• Supervise Interactions: Monitor pets and guests, especially children, to ensure respectful interactions.
• Leash for Walks: Use a leash for outdoor trips to prevent pets from getting spooked or running away.
• ID Your Pet: Ensure pets have up-to-date ID tags or microchip information in case they get lost.
• Calming Products: Use calming sprays, diffusers, or supplements if your pet gets anxious around guests.
• Plan for Supervision: Assign a family member to check on the pet periodically during gatherings.

9. Be Prepared for Emergencies

Accidents can happen despite your best efforts. Keep pet carriers and veterinary numbers handy:

• Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661
• Braescroft Animal Clinic: 713-721-8081
• 24/7 Emergency Vet in Houston:

10. Protect Your Pets from Winter Weather

While Houston has milder winters compared to other cities in the U.S., pets need extra care during colder months when temperatures sometimes drop.

Bundle Up – Breeds like Greyhounds, Chihuahuas, and Whippets, which lack thick coats, often need extra protection in chilly weather. Also, Senior dogs are often more sensitive to chilly weather due to reduced muscle mass, slower circulation, and potential joint issues.

• Keep cats indoors – Keep cats indoors during chilly weather, as they may seek warmth under car hoods. Starting the engine can seriously injure or kill a cat caught by the fan belt. If outdoor cats are in your area, always bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give them a chance to escape.

Antifreeze Safety: Sadly, pets like the taste of antifreeze. But antifreeze that contains ethylene glycol is a poison that leads to death in pets if not treated quickly. Consider using products that contain propylene glycol which is less toxic. In any case, clean up spills immediately to protect pets.

• Celebrate Safely with Braescroft Animal Clinic

At Braescroft Animal Clinic, we are here to help you, and your pets enjoy a safe and joyful holiday season. If you have questions or need to schedule a wellness visit, contact us today. Together, we will ensure your furry friends stay happy and healthy during the most wonderful time of the year.

Happy Holidays from Braescroft Animal Clinic!