Pet-safe Christmas: trees, decorations and holiday plants

You don't need to skip the tree or the lights to keep pets safe. You mostly need to know which decorations cause real problems, and to set things up so curious paws and noses can't reach them. Cats and puppies need the most planning, because they climb, chew and bat at anything that moves.

Setting up a pet-safe tree

• Anchor it. Use a sturdy, wide stand, and tie the top of the tree to a wall or ceiling hook with clear fishing line. A climbing cat or a leaning dog can pull an unsecured tree over.
• Cover the water. Tree water can contain sap, bacteria, mold and any additives you put in it. Use a tree skirt or a stand with a covered reservoir so pets can't drink it.
• Sweep up needles. Pine and fir needles are sharp and can irritate the mouth and stomach. Vacuum often, especially with a real tree.
• Decorate in layers. Keep the bottom third of the tree bare or use only soft, unbreakable ornaments down low. Put anything glass, edible or precious up high.
• Let pets meet the tree before it's decorated. A day or two with a bare tree lets the novelty wear off. Reward calm behavior around it.
• Consider a barrier. A playpen or a pet gate around the tree works well for puppies and very curious cats.

Decorations to use carefully (or skip)

Decoration	The risk	A safer choice
Tinsel and ribbon	Cats love to play with it. If swallowed, string-like items can bunch up the intestines and often need surgery.	Skip tinsel if you have a cat. Use wide fabric ribbon and pick up gift ribbon right away.
Glass ornaments	Break into sharp pieces that cut paws and mouths.	Shatterproof, felt, wood or fabric ornaments.
Salt dough ornaments	Homemade salt dough is very salty and can cause salt poisoning in dogs if eaten.	Hang them high or keep them as keepsakes out of reach.
Edible decorations	Popcorn strings, candy canes and cookie ornaments invite chewing, and the string is a hazard.	Keep all food off the tree.
Ornament hooks	Metal hooks can be swallowed or get stuck in the mouth.	Tie ornaments on with ribbon or use closed loops.
Lights and cords	Chewing a live cord can cause burns to the mouth and other serious injuries.	Use cord covers, run cords behind furniture and unplug when you're out.
Candles	Burns, singed whiskers and fire if knocked over.	Battery candles.

Holiday plants: which are dangerous?

Plants are one of the most common holiday calls to vets. Some are much more serious than their reputation, and some much less.

• Lilies (including many in holiday bouquets) are extremely dangerous to cats. Eating a small amount of any part of the plant, the pollen or even drinking the vase water can cause kidney failure. If you have a cat, keep lilies out of the house entirely, and ask friends not to send them. In dogs, lilies usually cause stomach upset. Check lilies for cats in our checker.
• Poinsettia has a scarier reputation than it deserves. The sap can irritate the mouth and stomach and cause drooling or vomiting, but serious poisoning is unlikely. It's still best kept out of reach. See poinsettia.
• Holly leaves and berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea and drooling.
• Mistletoe can cause stomach upset, and larger amounts can cause more serious signs. Hang it high and pick up any fallen berries.
• Amaryllis can cause vomiting, drooling and belly pain. The bulb is the most toxic part.
• Christmas cactus is generally considered non-toxic, though chewing any plant can cause a mild upset stomach.
• Pine, fir and cedar garlands can cause mouth irritation and stomach upset if chewed.

Silk or paper plants are the easiest way to decorate worry-free.

Other December hazards

• Gifts under the tree. Dogs can smell wrapped chocolate, nuts and treats through paper. Keep food gifts somewhere closed until they're opened.
• Batteries. New toys and gadgets bring loose batteries. Button and coin batteries can cause serious burns if swallowed.
• Snow globes. Some, especially older ones, contain antifreeze (ethylene glycol), which is highly toxic. Clean up any broken globe right away and keep pets out of the area.
• Potpourri and essential oils. Liquid potpourri can burn the mouth, and many essential oils are harmful to cats. Keep diffusers and simmer pots out of reach, and ask your vet before using them around a cat.
• Holiday food. Chocolate, grapes and raisins, stuffing and bones are the big ones. See our full holiday foods guide.

A decorating plan by pet

• Cats: anchor the tree, skip tinsel and lilies, use unbreakable ornaments, and tuck cords away. Give your cat other places to climb, like a cat tree near a window, so the Christmas tree isn't the most exciting perch in the house.
• Puppies: they chew everything at nose height. Use a gate or playpen around the tree, keep gifts off the floor until the big day and keep plenty of chew toys handy as a trade.
• Adult dogs: watch the wagging-tail zone on coffee tables and low shelves, keep food gifts closed away, and pick up wrapping paper and ribbon as gifts are opened.
• Senior pets: keep their usual paths clear of cords and boxes, and give them a quiet spot away from the bustle.

Guests, parties and fireworks

Busy houses are stressful for many pets. Give your pet a quiet room with a bed, water and a chew toy, and let guests know the pet rules (no feeding, close the door behind you). For New Year's Eve, walk dogs before dark, keep cats inside, close curtains and play background noise. Make sure ID tags and microchip details are up to date in case of a door dash. If your pet is very scared of fireworks, talk to your vet well before the holidays about options that could help.

If something goes wrong

If your pet swallows a decoration, chews a plant or drinks tree water with additives, call your vet, an emergency vet or an animal poison control line. US animal poison control lines: (888) 426-4435 or (855) 764-7661 (a consultation fee may apply). Take the plant, packaging or a photo with you. Save your nearest 24-hour emergency vet in your phone now, because regular clinics often close over the holidays.

Questions people ask

The Paw Plan shares general information, not veterinary advice. Every pet is different, so check with your vet about your pet's health, diet and care.