Yes, it’s that time of year. But while we’re all soaking up the festive magic, our companions often see Christmas as one big, exciting playground. New smells, unfamiliar visitors, rustling wrapping paper, glittering decorations – it’s all brilliant fun, but it can also be surprisingly risky.
At Jarden Vets, we want every companion to enjoy a calm, safe, and happy Christmas. So here’s our friendly, easy-to-follow guide to help you avoid the most common festive mishaps and keep everyone (furry friends included) safe and stress-free this season. We’ve also created a downloadable checklist you can print off and stick on the fridge as a handy reminder.
1. Watch Out for Toxic Christmas Plants
Many classic Christmas plants are gorgeous, but some can be genuinely dangerous if a curious nose gets too close. Here’s what to watch for:
❌ Lilies
Lethal to cats, even in tiny amounts. We’re talking about the pollen, the petals, and even the water from the vase, unfortunately, all of it is toxic. If you share your home with a cat, lilies are best avoided altogether. Just one nibble or a lick of pollen from their fur can cause serious harm.
❌ Poinsettia
Not as deadly as its reputation suggests, but still unpleasant if chewed or licked. Your companion might experience drooling, an upset stomach, or skin irritation. Best to keep these out of nibbling (or batting) reach.
❌ Mistletoe
Tradition says hang it high – and that’s exactly what you should do. The berries can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and drooling if eaten. A peck under the mistletoe is romantic; your dog eating it definitely isn’t.
❌ Holly & Ivy
Spiky holly isn’t particularly appealing to chew (for anyone), but the berries are toxic. Ivy leaves can also cause a seriously upset stomach, so keep both well away from inquisitive companions.
✅ Safer choices:
If you want to keep things festive without the worry, opt for companion-friendly alternatives like faux versions of these plants, a beautiful Christmas cactus, or even rosemary and festive ferns. They look great and won’t land you at the emergency vet on Boxing Day.
2. Christmas Trees: Pretty but Potentially Troublesome
The Christmas tree can be a magnet for trouble when you’ve got animal companions around. Cats love to climb them, dogs love to investigate underneath them, and both seem convinced that baubles are toys designed specifically for their entertainment.
The Christmas tree can be a magnet for trouble when you’ve got animal companions around. Cats love to climb them, dogs love to investigate underneath them, and both seem convinced that baubles are toys designed specifically for their entertainment.
Real trees
Pine needles can be sharp and irritating if swallowed, and the water in the tree stand often contains fertilisers, bacteria, or preservatives that can upset your companion’s stomach. Keep the water covered if possible, and sweep up fallen needles regularly before they become a tempting snack.
Artificial trees
While they don’t shed needles in quite the same way, small plastic bits can still be chewed off and swallowed. Plus, many artificial trees are treated with flame retardants or other chemicals that aren’t exactly friendly for our companions.
Decorations
Tinsel is especially dangerous for cats as it’s shiny, dangly, and basically irresistible. But if swallowed, it can cause a blockage or twist in the intestines, which often requires emergency surgery. Glass baubles can shatter into sharp pieces, and even fabric ornaments can cause problems if eaten. Chocolate decorations? Absolutely not (more on that later).
Top tip: Secure your tree to the wall or ceiling to prevent it toppling over if “someone” decides to scale it at 3am. Use decorations that are safe for our companions higher up and save the lower branches for unbreakable ornaments. And maybe accept that your tree won’t look like it belongs in a magazine this year. But at least everyone stays safe.
3. Festive Foods That Are a Big No-No
Christmas is basically one long eating marathon, and our companions would very much like to join in. Unfortunately, some of our favourite festive treats can make them seriously ill.
❌ Chocolate
This is the big one. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are the most dangerous, but even milk chocolate can cause problems. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, restlessness, rapid breathing, and in severe cases, seizures. If your companion eats chocolate, call your vet immediately, please don’t wait to see if symptoms develop.
❌ Grapes, raisins, sultanas & currants
Found in Christmas cake, mince pies, Christmas pudding, and fruit loaf, these are highly toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure. Even a small amount can be dangerous, so keep all festive baking well out of reach.
❌ Onions, garlic & leeks
These are in stuffing, gravy, and loads of Christmas dishes. They can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia in both dogs and cats. Sage and onion stuffing might smell amazing, but it’s a no-go for our companions.
❌ Macadamia nuts
Often found in biscuits and desserts, these can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia (over heating) in dogs. Not worth the risk.
❌ Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
This is in sugar-free mince pies, sweets, chewing gum, and some peanut butters. It’s extremely toxic to dogs and can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver failure. Always check labels.
❌ Alcohol
It might seem obvious, but even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous for companions. That includes desserts made with brandy or liqueurs. Keep glasses out of reach and never offer your companion a “festive tipple” as a joke.
❌ Cooked bones
Turkey and ham bones might seem like a natural treat, but cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, blockages, or internal injuries.
✅ Safe festive treats for our companions:
Instead of sharing your plate, offer friendly alternatives like plain cooked turkey (no skin or seasoning), carrots, green beans, a small bit of sweet potato, or special companion treats. Your dog won’t know they’re missing out on the mince pies, honestly.
4. Wrapping Paper, Ribbons & Other Shiny Hazards
There’s something about wrapping paper that makes it absolutely irresistible to our comapnions. The crinkling noise, the bright colours, the way it tears so satisfyingly between teeth and claws – it’s basically designed to be destroyed.
The dangers:
Wrapping paper itself isn’t usually toxic, but eating large amounts can cause a blockage. Ribbons, bows, and string are far more dangerous, especially for cats, as they can get tangled in the intestines. Sellotape can also cause problems if swallowed.
What to do: Open presents in a controlled way (we know, easier said than done), and clear up the mess promptly before anyone starts snacking on the debris. If your cat is obsessed with ribbon, consider using twine or fabric ties that are easier to keep track of. And if you spot your companion eating any of this stuff, call your vet straight away.
5. Candles, Fairy Lights & Electrical Cables
Candles create a lovely festive atmosphere, but they’re also a fire hazard when you’ve got a swishy tail or a curious paw nearby. Opt for LED candles instead as they give the same cosy glow without the risk of getting singed whiskers or starting a fire.
Fairy lights and electrical cables can be tempting chew toys, especially for puppies and kittens. A quick gnaw can lead to burns, electric shocks, or worse. Tape cables down, use cable protectors, or tuck them out of reach where possible.
6. Visitors, Noise & Stress
Christmas often means a house full of people, and while that’s lovely for us, it can be overwhelming for companions. Some animals adore the attention, but others find the noise, unfamiliar faces, and disrupted routine genuinely stressful.
Signs your companion is stressed:
- Hiding or trying to escape
- Excessive panting, drooling, or yawning
- Aggression or snapping (unusual behaviour)
- Loss of appetite
- Toileting indoors
How to help:
Set up a quiet room where your companion can retreat if it all gets too much. Make sure they have their bed, water, and some familiar toys. Let visitors know not to disturb them if they’re resting. If your companion is particularly anxious, speak to your vet about calming supplements or sprays that might help.
And don’t forget that routines matter. Try to stick to regular feeding and walking times, even if everything else feels chaotic.
7. Antifreeze & De-Icer
We’ve mentioned this in an earlier Blog, and it’s not strictly Christmas-related, but it’s worth mentioning because winter brings icy cars and frosty mornings. Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) tastes sweet, which makes it appealing to companions, but even a tiny amount can cause fatal kidney failure.
Always clean up spills immediately, store antifreeze securely, and consider switching to a brand that is safe for your companion. If you suspect they have licked antifreeze, get to a vet immediately. This is a genuine emergency.
A bit of preparation is all you need
Christmas should be a happy, relaxed time for everyone in your household, companions included. A bit of preparation and awareness goes a long way towards preventing accidents and keeping tails wagging (or cats purring) all season long.
If you’re ever unsure whether something is safe, or if your companion has eaten something they shouldn’t have, don’t hesitate to call us at Jarden Vets. We’d much rather reassure you over the phone than see you in an emergency on Christmas Day.
Download our printable Christmas Companion safety checklist here.
In an emergency:
If your companion has eaten something toxic or is showing signs of illness, contact your vet immediately. Don’t wait to see if symptoms develop; early treatment can make all the difference. Call us on 01234 746325. If we are closed the number for our emergency out of hours support is on the answerphone message and on our website.
Wishing you and your companions a safe and fabulous Christmas, from all of us at Jarden Vets.