{"id":10707,"date":"2023-03-30T12:41:36","date_gmt":"2023-03-30T19:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osfbl01.justfoodfordogs.com\/?p=10707"},"modified":"2026-08-08T11:37:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:37:33","slug":"top-5-holiday-hazards-for-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/top-5-holiday-hazards-for-pets","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Holiday Hazards for Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The holiday season is a time for festive decorations, delicious treats, and quality time spent with loved ones, including our pets. However, amidst all the excitement and holiday cheer, it\u2019s important to be mindful of the potential hazards that can pose a threat to our pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From toxic foods to dangerous decorations, there are several risks to be aware of during the holiday season. In this blog post, we\u2019ll discuss the top five holiday hazards for pets to help you keep them safe and healthy throughout the holiday season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-traditional-holiday-foods\">1. Traditional Holiday Foods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tis the season \u2026 for pancreatitis!<\/strong> The pancreas is a small digestive organ that helps pets digest fats, among other things. Feeding your pets fatty holiday foods can send them to the veterinary hospital with acute pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas). If left untreated, your pet may not survive this preventable occurrence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the holidays, we feast on wonderful and tasty traditional dinners that can include: turkey, pork, pot roasts, etc. As we enjoy these meals, we usually create leftovers and table scraps that are made up of the fatty trimmings of these meats. We feel bad that our pets did not enjoy the meals with us, and we want to include them, so we offer them these trimmings, as treats. <strong>Please do not do this!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, the days after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even New Year are busy times at pet hospitals as the wards fill with cases of acute pancreatitis. Our pets\u2019 pancreas can become inflamed trying to digest the extremely high-fat treats that these trimmings represent. Please avoid this all too common, well-intended, and completely preventable holiday mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/wbDFg7sa0Sw?feature=shared\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-alcohol-amp-chocolate\">2. Alcohol &amp; Chocolate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Watch out for chocolate, raisins, xylitol, bones, macadamia nuts, and alcohol<\/strong> \u2013 these are common holiday foods that are for <a href=\"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/what-human-foods-can-dogs-eat.html\"><u>humans only<\/u><\/a>! Bones can splinter and cause severe intestinal damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which can be potent stimulants to pets, causing severe stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, agitation, increased heart rate, tremors, seizures, and even death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dogs are the most common victims, as their cases outnumber feline cases 5 to 1, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.petpoisonhelpline.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pet Poison Helpline<\/a>. The effects of chocolate toxicity vary depending on the type of chocolate and the amount ingested. The purest, darkest chocolate is the most toxic. The following is a good general guideline of toxicity, from most to least toxic: cocoa powder, unsweetened bakers chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate. The size of your pet also matters, and smaller dogs are more susceptible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/can-dogs-eat-grapes-or-raisins.html\">Raisins and grapes<\/a> can cause kidney failure in dogs and we really don\u2019t understand why, so please avoid these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/what-is-birch-sugar-xylitol-disguised-by-marketing.html\">Xylitol<\/a> can be an extremely potent, life-threatening toxin. It is an artificial sweetener found in gum, mints, candies, and even peanut butter! Keep any holiday treats or human foods that contain xylitol out of reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pets don\u2019t drink alcohol, but cats and dogs can still be poisoned by it! Rum cake, alcohol-laced desserts, and even unbaked bread dough can be dangerous to the digestive tract. Unbaked bread dough will ferment in a dog\u2019s stomach, which can lead to bloat and alcohol poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-decorations\">3. Decorations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Decorations, candles, tinsel, pine needles, fertilizers from Christmas tree water, potpourri, and ornaments<\/strong> look great in the home but can cause damage if knocked over or ingested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/pica-in-cats-everything-you-need-to-know.html\">Cats<\/a> are particularly attracted to shiny, dangling things that they may perceive as toys. They may start off playing with tinsel and end up swallowing; it has been known to entangle the intestines and cause obstructions. Puppies are sometimes just as curious and playful as cats and can also be affected by this choking hazard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Potpourri and essential oils might smell nice to us, but to pets with extremely sensitive senses of smell, it can be overwhelming! It contains toxic oils and ingestion of dry potpourri can cause vomiting or damage to the mouth and esophagus. Ingestion of hot liquid potpourri can cause painful burns and ulceration of the esophagus and stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ornaments can break or be ingested, causing intestinal blockage or sharp shards to damage the intestines. Plastic ornaments can be less hazardous than glass ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-electrical-cords\">4. Electrical cords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Electrocutions<\/strong> are much more common around holiday parties, so please be careful with holiday lights. Curious puppies and kittens are usually the victims of electronic holiday decorations. They may be teething, or just generally curious, and chew through cords. Cords and outlets should be out of the reach of your pet\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Electrocution injuries can be particularly difficult to identify. They may happen silently or subtly when no one is looking. Unfortunately, the damage has been done and in some cases, Pets\u2019 lungs can fill with fluid many hours after they\u2019ve experienced the electrical shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-seasonal-plants\">5. Seasonal plants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Holiday plants can be a hazard to curious pets, but you\u2019re not safe simply by avoiding poinsettias. In fact, poinsettias are relatively harmless; the worst that may happen might be an upset tummy. Many more toxic plants include mistletoe, bittersweet, holly, lilies, laurel, and amaryllis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clinical signs of toxicity can vary from vomiting and diarrhea to extreme lethargy, weakness, convulsions, or death. The list of poisonous plants can be long, but the ASPCA provides a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspca.org\/pet-care\/animal-poison-control\/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">good resource<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even fake plants aren\u2019t always pet-safe. Keep these out of reach to avoid a trip to the hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-holiday-safety-tips\">Holiday Safety Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the holidays approach, pet owners must be especially vigilant when it comes to our four-legged family members. Typical holiday foods and decorations can present a minefield of dangers to your pet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With these pet safety tips, you can keep your furry friend safe this holiday and avoid potential disaster. Talk to your DVM if you have any other holiday concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or our 24-hour emergency animal poison control directly at 1-888-426-4435.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The holiday season is a time for festive decorations, delicious treats, and quality time spent with loved ones, including our pets. However, amidst all the excitement and holiday cheer, it\u2019s important to be mindful of the potential hazards that can pose a threat to our pets. From toxic foods to dangerous decorations, there are several [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":10970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_jffd_show_updated":"1","footnotes":"","_ppma_block_editor_authors":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[294],"class_list":["post-10707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wellbeing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.8 (Yoast SEO v28.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Top 5 Holiday Hazards for Pets | JustFoodforDogs Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about holiday hazards for pets to keep them safe this season. 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Dr. Chavez is a veterinarian and business executive with a progressive career founded upon a solid commitment to pet advocacy, integrity, education, and sound veterinary principles. Dr. Chavez graduated in 2006 from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, and started his career with Banfield, the world\u2019s largest veterinary practice, where he became Chief of Staff. In 2009, he joined the faculty of the Animal and Veterinary Science department at\u00a0California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. There, he was Director of the Animal Health Science veterinary technician program from 2010 \u2013 2013, and remains an adjunct faculty and researcher, and professor of veterinary clinical nutrition. Additionally, he served as a member of the Multidisciplinary Committee and the Registered Veterinary Technician Committee for the California State Veterinary Medical Board. In 2012, Dr. Chavez completed a Master\u2019s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California at Irvine. As Director of Canine Clinical Nutrition, he brings not only a deep technical expertise in researching and working exclusively with freshly prepared whole food diets at Cal Poly Pomona, but a true love for dogs that all of us here share. His own Golden Retriever, Rey, was a successful case study for our food. Rey\u2019s kidney disease was successfully managed with our Renal Moderate Protein vet-directed diet, which made Dr. Chavez\u2019s involvement even that much more personal to him. A graduate of the Royal Veterinary College in London, UK, Dr. Chavez is a licensed practicing veterinarian who has focused on clinical nutrition since graduating vet school. Dr. Chavez notes, \u201cIt all starts with nutrition. You are what you eat, and practically any health issue can be addressed through a higher-quality diet. We are in a unique time for veterinary medicine where people are seeking whole food diets using real USDA ingredients over commercial kibble or cans that use feed grade ingredients. I\u2019m excited of the possibilities we have in further increasing the health of our dogs with this trend. Our goal is to raise awareness of these diets and help bring a simple, fast and affordable solution to as many pet parents and their dogs as possible.","user_url":"","linkedin":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dr-oscar-chavez-realtor","instagram":"","x":"","facebook":"","description":"Dr. Oscar Chavez, BVetMed MRCVS MBA, is a veterinarian and business executive who previously served as Chief Medical Officer at JustFoodForDogs, leading its Canine Nutrition Team. A graduate of the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, he has focused on clinical nutrition since vet school \u2014 researching and working exclusively with freshly prepared whole-food diets during his years at Cal Poly Pomona. His commitment to nutrition is personal as well as professional: his own Golden Retriever, Rey, had kidney disease successfully managed on a vet-directed renal diet. Dr. Chavez's career is founded on a deep commitment to pet advocacy, integrity, education, and sound veterinary principles."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/36"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10707\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10707"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=10707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}