Holiday Pet Safety Tips

Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season ​

The holidays are full of fun, food, and festivities – but they can also bring hidden dangers for our pets. With a little planning, you can keep the season merry and safe for everyone!

1. Avoid Hazardous Foods: Holiday favorites like chocolate, alcohol, grapes, raisins, and certain nuts can make pets very sick. Keep those treats out of reach and try to resist sharing table scraps. Stick with pet-safe goodies instead – your pets will be just as happy!

2. Secure Decorations: Sparkly ornaments, dangling tinsel, and twinkling lights can be tempting toys. Choose sturdy, pet-safe decorations and make sure your tree is secured so it doesn’t topple over. Hide or cover electrical cords, and never leave candles burning unattended around curious noses or wagging tails.

3. Be Mindful with Plants: Poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe look festive, but they’re toxic to pets. If you love decorating with greenery, use pet-safe plants or realistic artificial options instead.

4. Provide a Safe Space: Between visitors, parties, and holiday noise, pets can get overwhelmed. Give them a quiet, cozy spot away from the chaos where they can relax. And when New Year’s fireworks start booming, keep pets indoors with soothing music or white noise to help them stay calm.

5. Secure Fencing and Gates: With guests coming and going, it’s easy for a door or gate to be left open. Double-check that everything is secure to prevent accidental escapes. Add a sign near interior handles to remind guests to securely close the door or gate to keep pets inside.

6. ID Is Key: Even cautious pets can slip out in all the commotion. Make sure their ID tag is up to date and their microchip information is current – just in case.

If your pet gets lost, be sure to enter a report in the Pet FBI database. Your report will be shared and you’ll be able to quickly download a flyer to distribute.

Wishing you and your pets a safe and happy holiday season!