The most die-hard holiday lovers would argue that in addition to cheesy movies, decorations are the best part of the holiday season. With your family’s unique decor, you can create a home atmosphere that carries on your traditions and togetherness and spreads peace and joy. As delightful as that sounds, decorations can be dangerous in homes with curious pets. The All Breed Pet Care team knows pets can be mischievous around anything new and interesting, but a few simple precautions can help them make better choices. Here is our list of the top holiday decor hazards, and how you can ensure a safe holiday for four-legged household residents.

#1: Christmas trees and pets

If you put a giant tree in the middle of your living area, your pets will most certainly be intrigued. But, trees that are not securely anchored can tip over and possibly fall on pets who bump or try to climb them, as well as drop a million ornament pieces or pine needles on the floor. We recommend anchoring your tree to a wall or the ceiling and fencing off the area with a puppy pen, which also prevents access to potentially toxic tree water.

#2: Candles, electrical cords, and pets

Your furry pal can burn themselves or start a house fire if they knock over a lit candle and can seriously shock themselves by chewing through an electrical cord. Consider candle placement carefully—avoid areas that cats can easily access or using a tablecloth a dog could accidentally drag down. Hide electrical cords behind other objects or along walls and cover them in protective plastic or metal sheaths to discourage chewing. To be on the safe side, never leave pets alone in a room with a lit candle, and unplug all decorations before bed or leaving the house if pets are free to roam.

#3: Tinsel and pets

Tinsel, ribbon, and string are extremely attractive to playful cats, who are attracted to the shiny material, and keep coming back for more because they like the crunchy texture. A pet who swallows any of these items can suffer a linear foreign body obstruction, a serious condition that causes the intestines to bunch up and sometimes tear. If you have a cat, avoiding these items is best for preventing a problem. If you see your pet consume a potential linear foreign body, seek emergency veterinary care—and never pull on a string you see in your pet’s mouth or from their rear end.

#4: Holiday-themed plants and pets

Several holiday-themed, decorative plants can be toxic to pets. Consider silk alternatives, which are equally beautiful and also eco-friendly, or you should avoid the following plants:

  • Poinsettia — Poinsettias are only mildly toxic to pets, but they cause vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling.
  • Lilies — Lilies are extremely toxic to cats, no matter the amount ingested. All plant parts, including pollen, can lead to rapid kidney failure.
  • Holly — Like poinsettias, holly can cause vomiting or diarrhea. The spiny leaves are especially irritating to oral tissues, leading to excessive drooling and head-shaking.
  • Mistletoe — Pets who ingest large amounts of mistletoe can experience a drop in blood pressure, seizures, or death in severe cases.

#5: Snow globes, ornaments, and pets

Snow globes, glass ornaments, and bulb lights are breakable and can injure pets who knock them off shelves or the tree. Additionally, snow globes and some decorative lights contain ethylene glycol—the same compound in antifreeze that leads to serious poisoning. Ethylene glycol is extremely toxic and some pets, despite quick intervention and treatment, experience profound acute kidney failure and may die. Ideally, keep your snow globe collection off-limits to your pets, such as protecting them inside a cabinet, and choose non-toxic, shatter-proof lights and ornaments. If your pet contacts a broken snow globe or other potentially toxic item, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline, and then seek veterinary care with our team or an emergency hospital.

Decorating the house with pets in mind is no easy feat, but working around their inquisitive nature will help ensure your home is full of holiday cheer and also pet-safe. However, if your pet does get into trouble despite your best-laid plans and needs veterinary medical care, contact the All Breed Pet Care team.