The holidays are a special time for family — and that includes our pets. But festive décor, seasonal treats, extra visitors, and changes in routine can all increase risks to our furry companions. At PET Emergency Treatment, we want every pet to enjoy the season safely. That’s why, along with safety tips, we’re here 24/7/365 to support pet owners when things go wrong.

Why the Holidays Are Riskier for Pets

With more hustle, bustle, and new items around the house, the chance of an accident or exposure to something harmful goes up. Distractions, decorations, unfamiliar smells, and unexpected guests can contribute. The good news is that with some preparation and awareness, many holiday pet emergencies can be prevented.

Decorating & Environmental Hazards

• Strings, tinsel, ribbons, and ornaments Pets—especially cats—are naturally curious and may bat at or ingest decorative materials. These can cause choking or intestinal blockages.

• Lighting, cords, and electrical hazards Chewing on cords can lead to electrical shock or burns. Use cord covers or conceal wiring, and avoid placing cords in high-traffic or pet-accessible areas.

• Christmas tree (and tree water) If the tree stand water is treated with preservatives, it may be harmful if ingested. Also, an unanchored tree can topple if bumped. Secure the tree and cover or block access to the water reservoir.

• Candles and open flames Even “low flame” candles are risky — pets may knock them over, leading to burns or fires. Flameless LED candles are a safer alternative.

• Seasonal plants Many holiday plants are toxic to pets. For example:

  • Poinsettias — can cause stomach upset

  • Holly, mistletoe, lilies — more serious toxicity (especially lilies for cats) Place plants where pets can’t reach them, or choose non-toxic alternatives.

Holiday Foods & Toxic Items to Watch

• Chocolate & xylitol Chocolate (especially dark or baker’s chocolate) is toxic to dogs and cats. Xylitol, a sugar substitute in many candies and baked goods, can cause hypoglycemia and liver failure in dogs—even in small amounts.

• Bones, fatty scraps, and rich foods Animal bones can splinter and cause internal injury; fatty table scraps may trigger pancreatitis.

• Yeast dough & alcohol Raw yeast dough expands in the digestive tract and may produce gas or alcohol. Even small amounts of alcohol (e.g. in drinks or dessert sauces) can be dangerous.

• Grapes, raisins, certain nuts, and macadamia nuts These can be toxic or trigger kidney issues in pets.

• Human medications & supplements With guests around, medications may be more accessible (on counters, in purses). Many human meds are harmful to pets—always keep them out of reach.

Stress, Routine Changes & Guest Safety

• Overstimulation and stress Sudden noises, doorbell rings, strangers, and wrapping paper can stress pets. Create a quiet retreat zone (crate, closed room, cozy bed) where pets can decompress.

• Altered feeding, walks, and sleep schedules Try to maintain the pet’s regular feeding, exercise, and sleep times as much as possible—even amid holiday chaos.

• Travel & boarding If a pet will travel or stay elsewhere, book well in advance, ensure vaccinations are current, bring familiar items (blankets, toys), and if possible, do a trial run.

What to Do in a Pet Emergency Over the Holidays

No one wants to think about emergencies, but planning ahead can save precious time and lives.

Signs that require immediate veterinary attention include Bleeding, difficulty breathing, trauma or being hit by a vehicle, seizures, collapse or fainting, ingestion of toxic substances, persistent vomiting or diarrhea (especially with blood), sudden bloating, or paralysis.

At PET Emergency Treatment, we are open 24/7/365 for emergency and critical care. No matter when or how an emergency arises, our team and facilities are ready to act.

How PET Emergency AK Can Help You This Holiday Season

We’re more than just an emergency hospital — we offer a full suite of services to support pet health all year round:

• 24/7 Emergency & Critical Care Day or night, holiday or not, we’re here for urgent crises.

• Advanced Diagnostics and Imaging Our facility is equipped for high-end imaging, lab diagnostics, and monitoring — critical for assessing holiday-related injuries or poisoning.

• Surgery & Specialty Care In emergency cases requiring surgery or specialist intervention, our team can act swiftly with expertise.

• Dentistry & Oral Surgery Broken teeth, foreign bodies, chew-related injuries can happen — we’re prepared to treat them.

• Internal Medicine & Ongoing Care Some emergencies may reveal internal conditions (e.g. pancreatitis, kidney injury) — our internal medicine team is ready to manage these.

• Urgent Care Services For less critical but time-sensitive needs (e.g. torn nails, ear infections), PET Urgent Care can help avoid full ER wait times.

By offering this breadth of care, we aim to reduce the stress for pet owners and provide seamless support from first call to full recovery.

In Summary & Holiday Wishes

The holiday season should be joyous for everyone — including your pets. With prudence, awareness, and a little planning, many common holiday dangers can be prevented. And if the unexpected happens, you can count on PET Emergency Treatment to be there — round the clock, year round.

From our team to your furry family, we wish you a season of safety, warmth, and tail wags.