15 Dangers Lurking in Your Home During the Holiday Season that Could Harm Your Dog

Be cautious this holiday season, as dangers to man’s best friend lurk just around the corner. According to The Kennel Club, there is a 53% increase in pets being treated for poisonous food or foreign bodies in December. Protect your furry friend with these essential holiday pet safety tips, focusing on common household dangers, toxic foods, and hazardous decorations that can threaten your dog’s health.

Here are fifteen items to keep clear from your dog.

Holiday Flavors: Toxic Holiday Food to Keep Away from Your Pet

Here are seven foods that are poisonous to dogs and should be kept far away from your dog this holiday season.

1. Chocolate
   Chocolate has theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic for dogs. These substances stimulate the central nervous system and heart, and act as diuretics which can cause dehydration. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is.




2. Onions, chives and garlic
   Onions, chives and garlic are part of the Allium species which are toxic to dogs because they have N-propyl disulfide and other sulfur compounds. These compounds damage red blood cells, leading to anemia, weakness and possible organ failure.




3. Grapes and raisins
   Grapes and raisins contain tartaric acid and potassium bitartrate. These compounds cannot be metabolized by dogs. This can lead to sudden onset acute kidney failure.




4. Xylitol
   Xylitol can be found in most sugar-free baked goods. Dogs absorb xylitol very quickly, triggering 3 to 7 times more insulin to be released from the pancreas. This can result in hypoglycemia, acute liver failure and even death.




5. Mixed nuts
   Mixed nuts can be dangerous because it’s hard to know which are toxic and need to be avoided. Macadamia nuts, black walnuts and pecans are especially harmful. Macadamia nuts are the most toxic for dogs as even the smallest amount could cause severe weakness, vomiting, tremors, hyperthermia and abdominal pain. Black walnuts have juglone, which contain tremorgenic mycotoxins, which cause seizures and neurological symptoms. Pecans can also cause mycotoxin poisoning and upset stomachs.




6. Eggnog (due to nutmeg toxicity)
   Eggnog can contain multiple sensitive ingredients however the worst is nutmeg. Nutmeg is a spice containing a toxin called myristicin. This toxin can cause disorientation, hallucinations, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and even seizures.




7. Alcohol
   Even small amounts of alcohol can be toxic to dogs. Their livers cannot process alcohol quickly, leading to a buildup in their system. This can cause a drop in blood sugar and body temperature, and affect the central nervous system, kidneys, and respiratory system.

Holiday Decorations: Hidden Hazards

Who would have thought a nicely decorated tree could pose a hazard for our furry friends? Here are items that can be a danger to your dog.

8. Salt dough ornaments
   Salt dough ornaments contain a ton of salt (sodium chloride). Dogs are attracted to these types of ornaments because of the salty flavor. However, even one ornament eaten can cause salt poisoning (hypernatremia) which can be life-threatening. By consuming such high levels of salt can disrupt electrolyte balance and fluid levels in the dog’s body leading to dehydration and brain swelling.




9. Tinsel
   Tinsel is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a shiny plastic that dogs cannot break down. It poses a small risk of toxicity due to chemicals used to make it however tinsel can cause severe problems if ingested. It can cause a life-threatening condition known as linear foreign body obstruction. Part of the tinsel, when ingested, can end up in their stomach while the rest of it ends up in the intestine as it tries to move through the body. The intestines can contract around the string and bunch up like an accordion or the tension from the lodged tinsel could saw through the intestinal wall, leading to tears, perforations or severe internal bleeding.




10. Electrical cords
    Dogs can pull electrical cords out of the wall which can cause lamps, televisions or even your Christmas tree to fall over and break. But more importantly, when dogs, especially puppies, chew on live wires it can cause electrical currents to enter their body causing thermal burns and internal injuries. Thermal burns occur in the mouth, lips and tongue. Internal injuries can occur from electrocution when the electric current passes through the dog’s body interrupting normal functions of organs. Electrocution can damage the heart, lungs, nerves, tissues and can even be fatal.




11. Christmas tree water and tree food
    Christmas tree water or store-bought “tree food” can be dangerous for our pups because of potential toxins and bacteria. Many tree foods on the market have fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals like bleach, sugar and aspirin to keep trees fresh longer. These ingredients can cause gastrointestinal issues. Some trees are also sprayed with pesticides or flame retardants which can enter the water in the tree stand. Natural oils and sap from the tree (especially fir, pine or spruce trees) can leech into the water irritating the dog’s mouth and stomach. Even the standing water in the tree stand can quickly develop bacteria, mold and algae which can cause bacterial infections and stomach illness.




12. Fake snow spray
    Fake snow spray or flocking on Christmas trees contain chemicals and propellants. Solvents and propellants often have hydrocarbon or methylene chloride which are chemicals released in the air during spraying. Inhaling these fumes can cause respiratory irritation such as coughing, nausea, and lightheadedness. Upon direct contact, it can also cause skin irritation and if ingested it can cause gastrointestinal issues. Flocking on trees (fake snow) uses adhesives and fire retardants which are hazardous if ingested.

Holiday Plants: Festive but Dangerous

While the holidays aren’t quite the same without beautiful, fresh-smelling plants. Here are three toxic holiday plants to keep away from your furry pets.

13. Mistletoe
    Mistletoe has lectins and phoratoxins which can cause mistletoe poisoning, a serious illness and potentially life-threatening. All parts of the plant are considered toxic. Lectins (Toxalbumins) are proteins that can damage cell structures and disrupt protein synthesis. Phoratoxins are compounds that can cause low blood pressure and slow heart rate.




14. Poinsettia
    Poinsettia’s actual toxicity levels are usually overstated. While they are considered bad for dogs, the effects are mild often causing discomfort rather than being fatal. Poinsettias have sappy white latex substance found in their leaves and stems. This substance contains diterpenoid euphorbol esters, which is very irritating to soft tissues. This is bad for dogs because it can cause skin, eye, oral and gastrointestinal irritation.




15. Holly berry
    Holly berries are pretty however they have toxic compounds specifically saponins. Saponins are a soap-like substances contained in the holly berries and leaves. When eaten they can cause gastrointestinal issues irritating the stomach and intestinal lining. Holly berries also contain other chemicals including methlyxanthines and cyanogens which also can contribute to gastrointestinal issues if eaten in large amounts.

What to Watch Out For: Signs of Pet Poisoning

While this isn’t a full list of toxic substances for our furry friends, be alert for symptoms of poisoning in dogs around the holiday season. If you notice your pet doing any of these things, reach out to your local vet or emergency pet clinic near you.

• Lip smacking, excessively drooling or drinking water
• Vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite
• Redness or swelling on the skin
• Lethargy or weakness
• Muscle tremors, seizures or difficulty breathing
• Excessive urination or dark colored urine
• Changes in behavior

How to Keep Dogs Safe During the Holidays

By following these holiday pet safety tips and being aware of common dangers for dogs during the festive season, you can ensure a safe and joyful holiday for your entire family—including your furry companions.

• Store all toxic foods and treats out of reach.
• Use pet-safe holiday decorations.
• Keep electrical cords and hazardous plants away from pets.
• Avoid using fake snow sprays or flocking near animals.
• Supervise your dog during gatherings and celebrations.

When in doubt, don’t hesitate to call poison control centers:

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661