As we head into Christmas, your home starts to change. Decorations appear. Food starts piling up. You rush through shopping, wrapping, cooking, and hosting. It is a lovely time, but it is also the season when dogs get into things they should not. Vet visits rise every December because pets chew, swallow, or taste unfamiliar items.
If your dog is anything like the ones I walk in Finchley, they will want to be involved in everything. They love to wander around and investigate, especially new things, and so they sniff every bag and every bit of ribbon. Christmas is full of temptations, and some are genuinely dangerous.
On the first day of Christmas… one Christmas tree
Real trees drop needles. These can cut your dog’s mouth or upset their stomach. In the worst cases, they can cause internal damage if swallowed. Pine oils may also irritate the mouth and stomach. If your tree sits in water, keep your dog away from it. Tree water often contains fertiliser or preservatives.
Takeaway:
• Keep the tree watered
• Hoover daily
• Block access to the water
• Consider an artificial tree if your dog loves to chew
On the second day of Christmas… two glass baubles
Glass baubles shatter easily. If eaten, small shards can cause bleeding, blockages, or perforation. Salt dough decorations are a hidden danger. They look harmless, but the salt content is exceptionally high and can cause salt poisoning.
Takeaway:
• Choose shatter-proof decorations
• Keep salt dough ornaments high up
• Pick up any broken pieces straight away
On the third day of Christmas… three metres of tinsel
Tinsel looks like a shiny toy. Dogs often swallow it like spaghetti. This can cause severe blockages that need emergency surgery. Never wrap tinsel around your dog’s neck. Puppies are especially drawn to it.
Takeaway:
• Avoid tinsel if your dog chews everything
• Supervise young dogs around decorations
On the fourth day of Christmas… four strings of fairy lights
Dangling lights attract curious mouths. If a dog chews through live wiring, they risk burns or electric shock. Loose cables also become tug toys for some dogs.
Takeaway:
• Tape wires down
• Use cable covers
• Switch to battery lights where possible
On the fifth day of Christmas… five rolls of wrapping paper
Paper is not toxic, but if your dog eats large amounts, it may cause a blockage. Small items inside packaging, such as silica gel sachets, pose a risk too. They are not poisonous but can obstruct the gut.
Takeaway:
• Dispose of used paper promptly
• Keep edible gifts off the floor and away from the tree
• Watch for small objects that may fall from packaging
On the sixth day of Christmas… six macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are highly toxic to dogs. Even a small amount can cause weakness, tremors, pain, and seizures. Other nuts, such as pistachios or almonds, are less dangerous but still pose choking or blockage risks.
Takeaway:
• Keep nut bowls out of reach
• Check ingredients before offering any baked treats
On the seventh day of Christmas… seven mince pies
Mince pies, Christmas pudding, and Stollen contain currants, raisins, and sultanas. All can cause kidney failure in dogs. Chocolate-coated raisins pose a double danger.
Takeaway:
• Store sweet treats securely
• Never offer leftovers
• Contact the vet immediately if your dog eats even a small amount
On the eighth day of Christmas… eight bottles of beer
Alcohol is far more toxic to dogs than to humans. Symptoms may include vomiting, wobbling, breathing problems, tremors, or collapse. Painkillers taken after a late night, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, are also extremely dangerous to dogs.
Takeaway:
• Keep drinks out of reach
• Store medication safely
• Seek urgent help if your dog eats any human medication
On the ninth day of Christmas… nine Christmas plants
Holly, ivy, mistletoe, poinsettias, lilies, and many festive bouquets can make pets unwell. Bulbs such as narcissus and amaryllis may cause vomiting, tremors, or collapse.
Takeaway:
• Place plants high up
• Avoid lilies altogether
• Call your vet if your dog eats any bulbs or leaves
On the tenth day of Christmas… ten selection boxes
Chocolate is one of the most common Christmas pet emergencies. Dogs sniff it out even through wrapping paper. Theobromine, found in chocolate, builds up quickly in their system and can cause seizures or heart problems.
Takeaway:
• Keep Advent calendars out of reach
• Never put chocolate gifts under the tree
• Get vet advice immediately if your dog eats chocolate
On the eleventh day of Christmas… eleven sacks of toys
Small plastic toys, batteries, and game pieces are attractive to dogs. Batteries cause chemical burns and heavy metal poisoning if chewed. Some imported snow globes may contain antifreeze, which is deadly.
Takeaway:
• Supervise gift-opening
• Pick up small pieces straight away
• Keep batteries and snow globes away from pets
On the twelfth day of Christmas… a very tempting lunch
Cooked turkey or chicken is usually safe, but bones are not. They splinter easily and can block or pierce the digestive tract. Christmas pudding, mince pies, onions, stuffing, and gravy are all unsafe for dogs. Human food is far richer and fattier than normal dog meals, so stomach upsets are common.
Takeaway:
• Feed your dog their normal meal
• Dispose of carcasses in outside bins
• Offer a toy or a walk instead of table scraps
Keep emergency details handy.
Make a note of your vet’s festive opening hours and the local out-of-hours number. When accidents happen, quick action matters.
Finchley Dog Walker wishes you and your dogs a calm, safe, and happy Christmas.
Key Takeaways
- Christmas brings many hazards for dogs, from decorations to holiday food.
- Twelve potential dangers include real trees, glass baubles, and toxic foods like macadamia nuts and chocolate.
- Protect your dog by blocking access to hazards and supervising them during festivities.
- Keep emergency vet information handy in case of accidental ingestion.
- Enjoy a safe and happy Christmas by being proactive about your dog’s safety.