How to Keep Your Pets Safe from Holiday Decorations

The holiday season brings sparkling lights, festive décor, delicious food…and a surprising number of hazards for our furry family members. While you’re decking the halls, it’s important to keep your pets in mind so everyone can enjoy the season safely. Here’s your complete guide to preventing holiday mishaps and creating a warm, pet-friendly celebration.

Christmas Tree Safety

Your Christmas tree may be the centerpiece of your holiday décor, but to pets, it can look like a playground—or a snack.

🎄 Secure the Tree

Cats love to climb, and excited pups can easily bump or knock into the tree. Anchor it to a wall or ceiling and use a sturdy tree stand to prevent tipping.

🎄 Choose Pet-Safe Decorations

• Skip the tinsel. Cats are especially drawn to its sparkle and movement, and if swallowed, it can cause a dangerous intestinal blockage.
• Avoid fragile ornaments near the bottom of the tree—curious noses and wagging tails can turn glass ornaments into broken hazards.
• Hang soft or shatterproof ornaments on lower branches so accidents stay harmless.

🎄 Tree Water Hazards

If you use a live tree, cover the water reservoir. Tree water often contains fertilizers, sap, or bacteria that can make pets sick.

🎄 Light Safety

Chewing on light cords can cause burns or electrical shock. Keep cords taped down, hidden behind furniture, or covered with protective cord sleeves. Unplug tree lights when you’re not home.

Common Holiday Decorations

A cozy holiday home is filled with fun textures, scents, and lights—exactly the things pets love to investigate.

🕯️ Candles

Place candles high and away from wagging tails and curious paws. A toppled candle is a fire hazard, and hot wax can cause burns. Consider battery-operated LED candles for a safe, cozy glow.

🎀 Garlands, Ribbons & Bows

These stringy decorations look like toys but can cause choking or intestinal blockages if swallowed. Use them sparingly or hang them well out of reach.

❄️ Artificial Snow & Spray Decorations

Some aerosol snow products and glitter sprays contain chemicals that can irritate a pet’s mouth and digestive system. Always read labels and avoid products that aren’t specifically marked pet-safe.

🎁 Wrapped Gifts

Ribbons, bows, and gift wrap can be irresistibly chewy. Monitor pets around presents, especially if you use scented wrapping or attach edible gift toppers.

Holiday Plants to Avoid

Many festive plants can cause anything from mild stomach upset to serious medical emergencies.

🌿 Plants to Keep Out of Reach

• Poinsettias – Mildly toxic; may cause vomiting or drooling if chewed.
• Mistletoe & Holly – Highly toxic; can cause severe vomiting, drooling, lethargy, or cardiovascular issues.
• Lilies – Fatal to cats even in tiny amounts; cause rapid kidney failure.
• Amaryllis – Can cause vomiting, tremors, and drooling.
• Pine Needles – Sharp needles from real trees can irritate the stomach and mouth if swallowed.

🌿 Safer Alternatives

Use high-quality artificial plants or keep real ones in areas completely inaccessible to pets—high shelves, closed-off rooms, or hanging planters.

Watch Out for Holiday Treats

Holiday feasts mean more food on the counter, on the table, and sometimes accidentally on the floor.

🍫 Candy & Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine—both toxic to pets. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous. Keep candy dishes out of reach.

🍬 Artificial Sweeteners

Xylitol (also called birch sugar) is highly dangerous and can cause a life-threatening drop in blood sugar or liver failure in dogs. Keep sugar-free gum, candies, peanut butter, and baked goods securely stored.

🥜 Nuts

Macadamia nuts and some others can cause tremors, weakness, and vomiting in pets.

🍷 Alcohol & Caffeinated Drinks

Both are toxic to pets. Store cups where pets can’t reach them—especially during parties.

🍗 Cooked Bones

Never give pets cooked bones. They can splinter and cause choking, blockages, or internal injuries.

Safe Alternatives & Holiday Pet Enrichment

The best way to keep your little explorer away from danger? Give them festive, pet-safe distractions!

🎁 Holiday-Themed Toys

Provide holiday plush toys, chew toys, and enrichment items to keep your pet busy while you entertain. J-B Pet Supplies has a great selection of seasonal toys your pets will love.

🦴 Pet-Safe Treats

Pick up holiday biscuits, single-ingredient chews, or themed treats so your pets can celebrate safely while the humans enjoy the feast.

🚫 Limit Access to Risky Areas

Baby gates, playpens, or closed doors can help keep pets out of the kitchen during cooking or away from the tree when you’re not home.

Enjoy a Safe, Happy Holiday Season

A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping your pets safe, healthy, and stress-free throughout the holidays. With the right precautions—and plenty of festive toys and treats—your furry friends can enjoy the season right alongside you.

If you need pet-safe holiday goodies, treats, toys, or expert advice on keeping pets safe this season, stop by J-B Pet Supplies! Our staff is always happy to help you make the holidays both merry and safe for the whole family.