Holiday Decor That Can Hurt Your Pet

Are your halls sufficiently decked? By now, they better be! You know what’s festive? Tinsel! Glass ornaments! All the twinkle lights!

You know what’s not festive? A trip to the emergency vet.

Holiday decor is all fun and games until someone ends up in the hospital. Let’s talk about the specific decor items that actually pose a danger to your pet.

Poinsettias

Aren’t they pretty!? Bright red or white, poinsettias are the standout flower of the season. Unfortunately, they’re also incredibly toxic to pets. Keep toxic holiday plants (including poinsettias, amaryllises, lillies, and yes, even mistletoe) way out of reach of your animals. Even if they haven’t paid them any notice in years past, just one curious nibble could cause serious gastro issues.

Christmas Trees

Did you know some tree farms actually add additives to their trees so they stay fresher longer? (Yeah, we know. Gross.) Cover the water in your tree stand to ensure your pet doesn’t take a sip. If she shows signs of chewing on the needles of the tree itself? Keep it in a room you can close off access to when you’re not around to monitor.

Advent Calendars

You know what dogs love more than chocolate, which is terrible for them? Hidden chocolate. If you stuff your advent calendar with chocolate or edible items of any kind, be sure to keep it out of the reach of your pooch. Same goes for cats; chocolate’s not their friend, either.

Light Strings

They might seem innocuous, but holiday lights actually pack a pretty serious charge. If your cat or dog takes to chewing on the strings of light on your tree, around your exterior, or anywhere else in your home, remove them immediately to remove the risk of electrical shock.

Tinsel and Ribbon

Sure, shiny tinsel is eye-catching and yes, ribbon makes amazing traditional bows. But if your pet gets a hold of them, they both can cause serious problems if swallowed. Ribbons, tinsel, and any other string-like items can wrap around your pet’s intestines, causing a serious blockage or even death. When in doubt, don’t put it out.

Small Decorations

It goes without saying, but anything that’s small enough for your pet to swallow should be kept out of reach. Derpy dogs and curious cats are bound to investigate anything new in the home whether its a snowman figurine or a hand-blown glass ornament. If you can wrap it up in the palm of your hand, you probably need to skip it this year. The holidays are an ideal time of year to protect your pet.