Christmas Cheer… and Curious Pets: Holiday Hazards

The holidays bring twinkling lights, festive meals, and extra time at home with the pets we love. But for many dogs & cats, Christmas also presents a surprising number of temptations that can quickly turn into emergencies. Here are a few of the biggest holiday hazards—and how to keep your pets safe this season.

🌲 The Christmas Tree: A Giant, Edible Toy (…Or So They Think)

Dogs—especially puppies—often treat Christmas trees as playgrounds or snacks.

Common risks include:

• Tree needles: Sharp and indigestible, they can irritate the stomach.

• Ornaments: Glass, plastic, or fabric ornaments can become choking hazards or cause internal injury if eaten.

• Tinsel & garland: These string-like decorations are especially dangerous and can cause intestinal blockage.

• Tree water: Often contains fertilizers, bacteria, or preservatives that can upset the stomach.

Tip: Secure your tree, block access when unsupervised, and keep fragile ornaments higher up.

🧸 Foreign Body Ingestion: The “What Did You Eat?!” Emergency

The holidays bring new objects into your home—and many of them are irresistible to dogs.

Common culprits we treat every December include:

• Ribbon, bows, and wrapping paper

• Small toys

• Stocking stuffers

• Holiday treats (intended for humans) hidden under the tree

If your dog suddenly starts vomiting, loses appetite, becomes lethargic, or strains to pass stool, a foreign body could be the cause—and early treatment matters.

A special note for cat owners: Cats LOVE anything string-like—ribbons, yarn, tinsel, curling ribbon, and even the strings from gift bags. These can cause linear foreign body obstructions, which are particularly dangerous and often require surgery. If you see your cat swallowing string or if they’re pawing at their mouth, vomiting, or acting uncomfortable, seek care immediately.

🍗 Fatty Holiday Foods: Delicious… and Dangerous

Those rich holiday plates can be tough for dogs to resist, but high-fat foods can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially serious condition.

Foods to avoid sharing:

• Turkey skin, ham trimmings, gravy

• Stuffing and buttery dishes

• Bones of any kind

• Desserts or sweets (especially anything containing chocolate, xylitol, or raisins)

Even small amounts can cause issues—so as tempting as those puppy-dog eyes are, keep the holiday feast on the table.

🐾 We’re Here for You All Season Long

If your pet gets into something they shouldn’t—or you’re unsure whether a situation is urgent—Creature Comforts Veterinary Hospital is here to help.

We offer:

• Urgent sick visits for vomiting, diarrhea, foreign body concerns, and toxicity

• Diagnostics including X-ray and lab work to quickly identify ingestion issues

• Treatment for pancreatitis and GI upset

• Preventive and wellness care, because healthy holidays start with a healthy pet

If you have concerns this holiday season, don’t wait—give us a call or book online.

Your pet’s safety and comfort are our Christmas wish. 🎁🐶