Keep the Holidays Magical for Pets and People with Safety Tips from Best Friends Animal Society

‘Tis the season for joyous celebrations and heartwarming moments with loved ones, but for dogs and cats at home, the holidays can present some unexpected hazards. Nothing puts a damper on the holiday spirit like a sick or injured pet, but there’s no need to stress – with a few simple safety precautions, this special time of year can remain festive and fun for all.  

To help pet owners keep things merry and bright, Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and take the country no-kill in 2025, recommends following the below steps:  

• Opting for a real Christmas tree? Try a tree skirt to keep dogs and cats away from water in the stand, which can carry pine sap – toxic to pets – and harmful bacteria.  
• Make sure to secure larger decor – like Christmas trees – to a wall or the ceiling to prevent pets from knocking them over and hurting themselves (or others!).  
• Done decorating? Carefully check the floor for any tinsel, ribbon, and ornament hooks. These glittery items can be attractive to pets, but ingesting them can cause major problems and can even require surgery.  
• Keep human food out of pets’ reach. Human treats can be dangerous for dogs and cats – especially holiday staples like alcohol, chocolate and raisins.  
• As festive as they are, plants like poinsettias and mistletoe can be dangerous when ingested by pets. Keep holiday plants well out of pets’ reach or consider buying artificial.  
• Candles are a common part of holiday decor, but they can be hazardous to dogs and cats and easily knocked over. Put any decorative candles or menorahs in places that are inaccessible to pets, and never let candles burn unattended.  
• Lots of new sounds and new faces can make pets nervous around the holidays. If a dog or cat seems agitated, consider placing them in a quiet, calm room with dim lighting. In addition, make sure identification and microchips are up to date in case of an escape.  

For those looking to bring even more joy into their homes this holiday season, consider adopting a dog or cat from a local shelter or rescue instead of purchasing from a breeder or pet store. If adoption isn’t an option right now, fostering a dog or cat is another way to play an important role in pet lifesaving.  

To learn more about how to save a pet’s life this holiday season, please visit bestfriends.org.