Holidays are a festive time. With all of the hustle and bustle – its easy to overlook potential dangers to our four-legged family members. Take preventive measures to protect your pets this holiday season. Being aware of the dangers could save you a trip to the veterinary emergency room.
1. Food Hazards
Holiday delights are simply irresistible. Unfortunately, some of the most delicious holiday snacks, such as baking items: yeast dough, raisins and chocolate can be toxic when lapped up by curious pets. Leftover, fatty meat scraps can produce severe inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) leading to abdominal pain, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Small bones or bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach, and intestinal tract. Make sure your pets stay away from the kitchen in those busy baking and cooking moments. No begging allowed!
2. Tinsel, ornaments and decorations
Enticing new “playthings” like tinsel, ornaments, ribbon, toy parts and batteries can cause life-threatening problems. Ribbons or tinsel can get caught up in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction. Glass ornaments can cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract if ingested. Batteries contain corrosives, which can cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Christmas lights and candles
Holiday lights mean more electrical cords for puppies to chew. Be sure you have cords secured and out of the way. Electrical shock can cause tongue lacerations and possible death. If you have candles on display, place them in a hard-to-reach spot so that your pets cannot access them. An exuberant tail or a curious nose can turn candles and hot wax into an instant disaster, causing painful burns to paw pads and more.
4. Toxic plants
Eating holly could produce nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal and possibly even cardiovascular problems. 
While the toxic potential of poinsettia has been greatly exaggerated, mild stomach upset could still occur if ingested. The Christmas tree itself doesn’t cause a lot of problems, but drinking water with preservatives containing fertilizers, can upset the stomach. Stagnant tree water can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can also lead to vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Secure your tree, making sure your pets have no access to the water container.
5. Lost animals and crowded rooms
With everyone coming and going, watch out for open doors. Keep an eye on your pets while letting guests in and out of the house. If you have a sneaky pet, let your guests know of their “escape-artist” talents. Take a quick look at your dog’s ID – is the information current with phone number and address on the tag?
A room full of people and playful kids may become very stressful. Provide a special quiet place with a blanket and fresh water for your pets to retreat to.
Most importantly, remember this – emergencies happen! Your animal may become hurt or poisoned in spite of your best efforts to prevent it. You should keep telephone numbers for your veterinarian and local emergency veterinary clinic in a convenient location where they are easily found in a moment of panic. If you suspect that your pet has been hurt or ingested something poisonous, seek medical attention immediately.