Christmas Pet Safety: Trees, Plants, Food and Guests

Last updated: December 2025

How risky is Christmas for dogs and cats, really?

Christmas is not just a little busier for pets. It is measurably more dangerous. Nationwide analyzed claims from more than one million insured pets and found that several conditions spike sharply in December. Chocolate leads the list, but swallowed objects, pancreatitis and stomach upsets also climb.

The poison control lines see the same pattern. Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, has said the helpline receives more potential poisoning calls in November and December than at any other time of year. She also notes that dogs make up 95 percent of its chocolate calls. In a 2014 post, the helpline called Christmas Eve its busiest day of the year and reported that about 41 percent of its December 24 to 25 cases the year before involved chocolate.

The good news is that almost every Christmas emergency is preventable with a little planning. Dr. Emily Tincher, Chief Veterinary Officer for Nationwide, suggests a simple habit: think about what sits at your pet’s eye level, and block off areas and food that will be too tempting, especially when you leave the house or have guests.

Here is what Nationwide says common holiday problems cost to treat.

Nationwide notes these are 80th percentile costs in the first 30 days after diagnosis for its insured pets from November 2023 to November 2025. A few minutes of pet-proofing is far cheaper.

How do you make a Christmas tree safe for cats and dogs?

Start with stability. A cat climbing the trunk or a dog batting at a low ornament can bring the whole tree down. The AVMA suggests tying your tree to the ceiling or a doorframe with fishing line, and the RSPCA recommends a heavy stand or anchoring the tree to a wall.

Next, deal with the water. Tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause nausea, diarrhea or stomach upset, according to the ASPCA, and VCA adds that it can hold fertilizers and pine oils. The AVMA’s advice is to avoid adding anything to the water at all if you have pets. Cover the stand with a tree skirt, a tray or a stand with a closed lid so it does not become a new water bowl.

Needles matter more than most people expect. Pet Poison Helpline says swallowed needles can irritate the mouth and stomach, and because they do not digest well, large amounts can cause an obstruction or even perforation. Sweep around the tree every day or two.

Then think about what hangs on the branches. The ASPCA warns that shards of breakable ornaments can damage a pet’s mouth and digestive tract, and that a punctured battery can burn the mouth and esophagus. Salt dough ornaments are a hidden hazard: the FDA says a 10-pound pet can get sick after eating just half a teaspoon of salt. Hang anything glass, edible or homemade on the upper branches.

Finally, the lights. The ASPCA says a wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock, and VCA lists burns to the mouth and tongue from chewed cords. Tuck cords along walls, use cord covers and unplug everything when you leave the house, as the AVMA advises.

Why are tinsel and ribbon so dangerous for cats?

To a cat, a strand of tinsel or a curl of ribbon looks like prey. It is shiny, it moves and it is easy to carry. The FDA describes these decorations as easy-to-catch, sparkly and wiggly, and VCA notes that kittens and young cats are especially likely to treat them as toys to chase, chew and swallow.

The danger is what vets call a linear foreign body. VCA explains that a swallowed string, ribbon or strand of tinsel can get caught in the intestinal tract, and the intestines then bunch up as the body tries and fails to pass it. With each contraction, the material rubs against the intestinal wall and causes inflammation. Eventually it can cut through the wall, which is a life-threatening emergency that needs surgery.

The ASPCA lists severe vomiting, an obstructed digestive tract, dehydration and possible surgery as the results of swallowed tinsel, and its advice is simple: decorate with something else.

If you see ribbon or tinsel coming out of your cat’s mouth or rear end, do not pull it. VCA is clear that pulling a linear foreign body can be dangerous and that your vet can remove it safely. Leave it alone and head to the clinic.

The best prevention is housekeeping. Skip tinsel entirely, collect every ribbon and bow as gifts are opened, as the FDA suggests, and bag wrapping scraps right away instead of leaving a pile on the floor.

Which Christmas plants are toxic to cats and dogs?

Holiday plants have a bigger reputation than most of them deserve, with one major exception. The AVMA lists poinsettias, amaryllis, mistletoe, balsam, pine, cedar and holly among the holiday plants that can be dangerous to pets, but the level of danger varies a lot, and knowing the difference tells you whether you face an upset stomach or a true emergency.

Start with the poinsettia, the plant everyone worries about most. Are poinsettias toxic to cats and dogs? Technically yes, but only mildly. The ASPCA lists the poinsettia as toxic to dogs and cats because of its irritant sap, then adds that it is generally overrated in toxicity. Pet Poison Helpline calls the idea that poinsettias are highly toxic a myth and says actual poisoning is rare. The milky sap can cause drooling, mild vomiting and diarrhea. An ASPCA toxicology brief notes that in a review of 22,793 poinsettia exposures reported to human poison centers, 92 percent of patients developed no signs at all. The FDA suggests picking up food and water dishes for a couple of hours after a pet chews a leaf so the stomach can settle.

Holly is a step up but still usually mild. Pet Poison Helpline explains that holly contains saponins, irritating compounds that are most concentrated in the berries, and that signs are usually limited to vomiting, diarrhea and belly pain. Most pets recover well at home. VCA notes that the spiny leaves themselves cause much of the trouble, and that pets who chew holly often smack their lips, drool and shake their heads.

Mistletoe deserves more respect. The ASPCA says both mistletoe and holly can cause stomach upset and cardiovascular problems. VCA explains that American mistletoe is less poisonous than European varieties, but large amounts can cause collapse, low blood pressure, wobbly walking, seizures and even death. Pet Poison Helpline adds a practical twist: many stores swap real mistletoe berries for plastic ones, and those can cause a blockage if a pet eats enough of them. Hang it high and sweep up any fallen leaves or berries.

Amaryllis is a popular holiday bulb, and despite nicknames like naked lily or Aztec lily, it is not a true lily. The ASPCA lists lycorine as its main toxin and names vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drooling, loss of appetite and tremors as signs. Pet Poison Helpline says the bulb is the most toxic part and can cause low blood pressure, weakness, tremors and seizures. Keep potted bulbs and loose bulbs well out of reach.

Lilies are the plant that can kill a cat. The ASPCA warns that many lilies found in holiday bouquets are highly toxic and can cause kidney failure in cats. VCA notes that every part of a true lily is dangerous, including the pollen and the water in the vase. The ASPCA toxicology brief adds that ingesting as little as one leaf can be fatal. True lilies belong to the Lilium and Hemerocallis groups, which include Easter, tiger, Asiatic, Oriental and day lilies. Peace lilies and calla lilies are different plants that cause mouth irritation but not kidney failure. Our full guide on whether lilies are toxic to cats covers every variety by name.

VCA also flags Japanese yew, now common in wreaths, which contains toxins that target the heart. The Christmas cactus, by contrast, usually causes nothing more than a brief stomach upset. When in doubt, choose faux versions, as the ASPCA suggests.

Why are lilies in holiday bouquets so dangerous for cats?

Lilies deserve their own warning because they show up in places you might not expect at Christmas. They are a favorite in winter flower arrangements, hostess gifts and centerpieces, which means a well-meaning guest can carry one right through your front door.

Pet Poison Helpline shared the story of a Florida cat owner whose two cats got into a lily that was part of a holiday bouquet. He took both to an emergency hospital, which worked with the helpline to treat them. Common signs of lily poisoning include vomiting, lethargy and acute kidney failure.

“If they receive proper care within a few hours after ingestion, their chances of survival are extremely high. If they do not receive proper care, or care is delayed, the chances of survival drop significantly, with some studies reporting a 100 percent fatality rate.”

Dr. Renee Schmid, senior veterinary toxicologist, Pet Poison Helpline

Timing is everything. An ASPCA toxicology brief notes that delaying treatment by more than 18 hours can lead to kidney failure and death, which is why you should never wait for symptoms.

Which Christmas foods are dangerous for dogs and cats?

Chocolate is the headline risk, and it is everywhere at Christmas: baking chips, candy dishes, advent calendars and boxes of fudge wrapped under the tree. The ASPCA reminds owners that pets can smell food through wrapping paper, so do not leave edible gifts on the floor. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which VCA says can cause vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, a racing heart, tremors and seizures. Darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate, and VCA notes that for an average 11-pound cat, just one to two ounces of baking chocolate or high-quality dark chocolate could be fatal.

Xylitol is the second big one. This sugar substitute hides in sugar-free candy, gum, mints, baked goods and even some peanut butters, and the FDA notes it may be labeled birch sugar or wood sugar. The AVMA says it has been linked to liver failure and death in dogs, and VCA adds that it can cause a life-threatening drop in blood sugar.

Grapes, raisins and currants are easy to miss because they are baked into fruitcake, stollen, cookies and chocolate assortments. VCA warns that they can cause kidney failure in dogs.

Then there are the leftovers. The AVMA lists gravy, sauces, dressing and poultry fat or skin as foods that can cause pancreatitis, and says bones can cause choking or blockage. The FDA describes pancreatitis signs in dogs as vomiting, stomach pain, restlessness, shaking, diarrhea, fever and weakness. Raw yeast dough can bloat the stomach and cause alcohol poisoning, and eggnog spiked with liquor is a real risk.

For the complete lists, see our guides to foods dogs can’t eat and foods cats can’t eat.

How do you keep pets safe when guests come over for Christmas?

Guests bring noise, new smells, coats piled on beds and a front door that opens and closes all evening. The AVMA puts it plainly: while you are welcoming guests and collecting coats, a four-legged family member may make a break for it out the door and become lost.

Give your pet a quiet room or crate away from the party, with water, a bed and a favorite toy, and tell guests it is off limits. The AVMA recommends this for every pet, not just shy ones. A baby gate or leash during arrivals helps door-dashing dogs. Keep cats behind a closed door until everyone is settled.

Visitors also bring their own hazards. Pet Poison Helpline says human medications are among its most common calls, and it described a puppy who found a single pain pill a relative dropped on the floor. The ASPCA suggests asking houseguests to keep medications in a closed cabinet rather than in a bag or suitcase.

Most important, make sure your pet can get home if they do get out. The AVMA says identification tags and microchips reunite families and recommends current contact details on both. See what to put on a dog ID tag, what cat parents need in a tag and our roundup of the best pet tags.

If your pet wears a Shiloh’s House Smart Tag, the free profile in the Lohji app (App Store and Google Play) lets you list up to three contacts, add medical and behavior notes and record short voice messages a finder can play. While you are in the app, you can also turn one clear photo of your pet into a cartoon character and pick from seasonal stickers, including Christmas designs, for your holiday cards and texts.

Are candles, potpourri and snow globes safe around pets?

Candles are a fire risk first. The AVMA says never to leave a pet alone in a room with a lit candle or oil lamp, and the ASPCA warns that a curious paw or a happy wagging tail can knock one over, burning your pet or starting a fire. VCA suggests battery-powered candles as a safer option for homes with cats. If a pet eats a candle, VCA says the main worry is not the scent but the wax forming a blockage.

Potpourri is sneakier. VCA explains that liquid potpourri, fragrance oils and plug-in air fresheners can cause vomiting, drooling, mouth and stomach ulcers, fever and lethargy, and that cats are the most sensitive. The AVMA says liquid potpourri can severely damage a pet’s mouth, eyes and skin.

Snow globes are the surprise on the list. The ASPCA says many are made with ethylene glycol, the same chemical used in antifreeze, and that the sweet smell can attract pets to lick it up after a globe breaks. Clean up any broken globe thoroughly and keep pets out of the room until you do.

The last seasonal hazard is the celebration that follows Christmas. If loud noise and fireworks are on your calendar next week, our guide to New Year’s Eve pet safety covers how to keep dogs and cats calm.

What should you do if your pet eats something at Christmas?

Act fast and do not wait for symptoms. The AVMA lists sudden behavior changes, depression, pain, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea as signs your pet may have eaten something it should not have. Call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic first. You can also call ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661, and the AVMA notes that a fee may apply. Have the packaging or plant, your pet’s weight and the amount eaten ready.

Before the holiday, the AVMA recommends finding your nearest 24/7 emergency clinic and planning the route so you are not searching while stressed. Use this table to judge urgency.

Risk levels are a general guide drawn from the ASPCA, AVMA, VCA, FDA and Pet Poison Helpline. Size matters, so when in doubt, call.

If your cat treats the tree as a climbing gym, our step-by-step guide on how to keep your cat out of the Christmas tree covers anchoring, cat-safe decorating, deterrents that work and better places to climb.

Holiday baking is another common trouble spot. If a cookie goes missing from the counter, our guide to whether dogs can eat gingerbread covers nutmeg, xylitol icing and when to call a poison hotline.

Frequently asked questions