Short answer: from Thanksgiving to New Year's, the biggest risks are food (chocolate, anything with xylitol, grapes and raisins, fatty scraps and cooked bones), lilies for cats, tinsel and ribbon, salt-dough ornaments, and medicine in guests' bags. If your pet eats something it shouldn't, call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away instead of waiting for symptoms.
The holidays are the best and the busiest time of year in a pet household: more food on the counters, more visitors at the door, and a tree full of shiny things at nose height. Here's what the ASPCA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tell pet owners to watch for, room by room.
In the kitchen and at the table
- Chocolate. The darker it is, the more dangerous. Baking chocolate and cocoa powder are the worst, white chocolate the least. The FDA warns chocolate can cause liver failure, bleeding disorders and death, so treat any chocolate snack as an emergency call.
- Xylitol. This sugar substitute turns up in sugar-free gum and candy, some peanut butters, baked goods and toothpaste. In dogs it can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, with vomiting, weakness, staggering and seizures, and the ASPCA notes possible liver damage within 12 to 24 hours. Check the label before sharing anything.
- Grapes and raisins. They can cause kidney damage in dogs, so keep an eye on fruitcake, stuffing and the cheese board.
- Onions, garlic and chives. They can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia. Cats are especially sensitive, and they're in most stuffing and gravy.
- Fatty scraps. Turkey skin and meat trimmings can upset the stomach and trigger pancreatitis. In dogs, watch for vomiting, belly pain and diarrhea; in cats the signs are quieter, like eating less.
- Cooked bones. Bones can lodge in the throat, stomach or windpipe, and sharp pieces can cause internal injuries. Symptoms can take hours or days to show up, so bag the carcass and put it straight in a bin your dog can't open.
- Alcohol and raw yeast dough. Alcohol is absorbed fast and can cause vomiting, poor coordination and trouble breathing. Unbaked bread dough keeps rising in the stomach and can ferment into alcohol.
Want to include the dog in the feast? Fill a treat-hiding toy like the 3-Play Hippo from Cycle Dog ($15.99, or $9.99 for the small) with your dog's own food or treats, and set it up away from the table.
Holiday plants and flowers
- Lilies are the big one for cats. The ASPCA warns that lilies in holiday bouquets are highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure. If you share your home with a cat, ask the florist to leave them out.
- Poinsettias are less dangerous than their reputation, but they can irritate the mouth and stomach and cause drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Mistletoe and holly can cause stomach upset, and mistletoe can affect the heart if a lot is eaten. Holly's spiky leaves can also hurt the mouth.
Silk and faux greenery look just as good on a mantel and nobody can eat it.
The tree and the decorations
- Anchor the tree so a curious cat or a wagging tail can't tip it over, and cover the tree-stand water, which can grow bacteria that upset a pet's stomach.
- Skip the tinsel if you have a cat. Swallowed tinsel can cause vomiting, intestinal blockages and surgery. The same goes for ribbon, string and curling ribbon once the gifts are open.
- Hang breakable ornaments high. Broken glass and plastic can cut the mouth and digestive tract; keep the bottom branches for pet-proof ornaments.
- Keep salt-dough ornaments out of reach. The FDA says half a teaspoon of salt can make a 10-pound pet sick, and a teaspoon and a half can be fatal.
- Watch the cords, batteries and candles. Chewed cords can cause a dangerous shock, a punctured battery can burn the mouth, and a wagging tail can knock over a candle.
- Snow globes can contain ethylene glycol, which is highly toxic, so clean up a broken one thoroughly.
Gifts, wrapping and guests
- Don't put food gifts under the tree. Pets can smell chocolate and treats through the wrapping paper.
- Throw out empty snack bags. The FDA warns that chip and cereal bags can wrap around a dog's nose and mouth and suffocate it.
- Ask guests to keep their medications zipped away, in a closed cabinet rather than an open bag or suitcase on the floor.
- Give your pet a quiet room during parties, with water, a bed and a toy, especially on New Year's Eve. Our fireworks and dogs guide has more on noise-anxious pets.
- Check the collar and ID tags before guests arrive. Doors open constantly during the holidays, and a well-fitted collar with current tags is your dog's ticket home. Our collar measuring guide takes two minutes.
If your pet eats something it shouldn't
Don't wait for symptoms, since some, like those from bones or xylitol, show up hours later. Call your veterinarian first. If you can't reach them, call a pet poison hotline:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661, available 24/7; a $99 per-incident fee applies
Have the package or label handy, along with your pet's weight and roughly how much they ate and when. Save your vet's number and the nearest 24-hour emergency vet in your phone before the holidays start.
FAQ
Are poinsettias poisonous to dogs and cats?
Mildly. Poinsettias can irritate the mouth and stomach and cause drooling, vomiting or diarrhea, but serious poisoning is unlikely. Lilies are far more dangerous, especially for cats.
Are lilies dangerous to cats?
Yes. The ASPCA warns that lilies in holiday bouquets are highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure. Keep them out of any home with a cat, and call your vet right away if your cat chews one.
What should I do if my dog eats chocolate?
Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away, before symptoms appear. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. Have the wrapper, your dog's weight and an estimate of how much was eaten ready.
Is tinsel dangerous for cats?
Yes. Cats love to play with tinsel, and swallowed tinsel can cause vomiting, intestinal blockages and surgery. Skip it on the tree if you have a cat.
The holidays should be fun for the whole household. A little pet-proofing up front means you can enjoy the feast, the tree and the guests without an emergency vet visit. If you're shopping for the pet people on your list, our 2026 holiday gift guide has ideas for every dog, cat and owner.
Sources
- Holiday Safety Tips, ASPCA
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe from Holiday Hazards, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Pet Poison Helpline
Shop this guide
- Treat-hiding toys — to keep the dog busy during dinner
- Dog collars — a well-fitted collar for the door-dashing season
- Dog and cat ornaments — for the top of the tree
