Holiday hazards for dogs: a calm guide to Thanksgiving and Christmas
Oct 07, 2026
The holidays are the best and the most chaotic weeks of the year in most homes. The kitchen is full, the doorbell keeps ringing, and there is food at nose height on every surface. For a dog, it is the most exciting time of year. It is also when veterinary emergency rooms get busiest.
None of this needs to spoil anything. Most holiday problems are predictable, and a little planning before the guests arrive prevents nearly all of them. Here is what to watch for between Thanksgiving and New Year, and what to do about it.
The holiday table
Food is the biggest risk, mostly because there is so much of it and so many people offering it.
Fatty trimmings, turkey skin and gravy. This is the one that sends the most dogs to the veterinarian, and it needs explaining carefully, because we are a high-fat food company and we believe fat is a good fuel for dogs.
The problem is not fat itself. It is a sudden, large dose of rich, cooked, heavily seasoned fat that a dog's body is not used to: a plate of turkey skin, a bowl of gravy, the drippings from the roasting pan. That kind of binge is a well-known trigger for pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes serious inflammation of the pancreas. A dog on a steady, balanced diet is in a very different position from a dog that gets into the leftovers. We explain the difference in what causes pancreatitis in dogs.
Cooked bones. Turkey, chicken and ham bones become brittle when cooked and can splinter, causing choking, mouth injuries or damage to the gut. Keep carcasses and plates out of reach, and take the trash out rather than leaving it in the kitchen.
Onions and garlic. Both damage a dog's red blood cells, and both turn up in stuffing, gravy, green bean casseroles and most savory dishes. Cooking does not make them safe.
Grapes and raisins. These can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and there is no known safe amount. Watch for them in stuffing, fruitcake, mince pies and bread pudding.
Chocolate. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. Chocolate gifts under the tree are a classic problem, because a wrapped box is no obstacle to a determined nose.
Xylitol. This sugar substitute is extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. It appears in sugar-free baked goods, candy, gum and some peanut butters. Check labels on anything sugar-free.
Other things to keep away: macadamia nuts, alcohol, raw yeast dough, corn cobs (a common cause of blockages), and the string, netting and foil used on roasts, which dogs will happily eat because they smell of meat.
A simple plan for the meal
The hardest part is usually the guests. Well-meaning visitors slip food under the table, and children share their plates.
- Tell people the rule before they sit down. A friendly "please don't feed the dog" at the start works better than a correction halfway through dinner.
- Give your dog their own plate. A small portion of plain cooked turkey breast with no skin, seasoning or bones, plus a few plain green beans, lets your dog join in without the risk.
- Feed your dog before guests arrive. A dog with a full stomach begs less.
- Keep your dog out of the kitchen while you cook, and clear the table and counters promptly afterward.
Noise, strangers and a busy house
Some dogs love a party. Many find a house full of new people, loud voices and constant movement genuinely stressful, and stressed dogs are more likely to hide, bark, snap or bolt.
Set up a quiet room. Before guests arrive, prepare a room away from the noise with your dog's bed, water and something to chew. Let them choose to go there, and ask guests to leave them alone when they do.
Watch for stress signals. Yawning, lip licking, a tucked tail, turning away or showing the whites of the eyes all mean your dog has had enough. Take them somewhere calm before it escalates.
Supervise children. Visiting children may not know how to behave around dogs, and even a gentle dog can react to being hugged, chased or cornered by someone unfamiliar.
Plan for fireworks on New Year's Eve. If your dog is frightened by loud noises, keep them indoors, close the curtains, play music or the TV, and stay with them if you can. Talk to your veterinarian ahead of time if fear is severe.
Open doors and escape artists
With guests coming and going, doors get left open, and a nervous dog can be out and down the street in seconds. Holiday weeks see a rise in lost pets.
- Check that your dog's collar and ID tag are on and readable.
- Make sure the microchip is registered with your current phone number.
- Use a baby gate or keep your dog in another room while people arrive and leave.
When other dogs come to stay
Family visits often mean visiting dogs. Even two friendly dogs can clash when one is on home ground.
- Introduce them on neutral ground, such as a walk outside, before bringing the visitor into the house.
- Feed them separately. Food, bones and chews are the most common triggers for fights, so feed in different rooms and pick up bowls afterward.
- Put away favorite toys and beds that your dog may guard.
- Give each dog a space to retreat to, and supervise until you are confident they are comfortable together.
Decorations and plants
The tree. Secure it so it cannot be knocked over. Keep glass ornaments and anything edible on the higher branches, and cover the water stand, since tree water can contain preservatives and bacteria.
Tinsel, ribbon and string. Long, thin materials can cause serious intestinal blockages if swallowed. Keep them out of reach, and clear up wrapping paper and ribbon after presents are opened.
Cords and batteries. Chewed light cords can cause burns and shocks. Batteries from new toys and gadgets are dangerous if swallowed.
Plants. Holly and mistletoe can make dogs quite unwell. Poinsettias are less dangerous than their reputation suggests, but can still upset the stomach. Lilies are mainly a danger to cats, but they are lethal to cats in small amounts, so keep them out of any home with both.
Left home alone
Holiday travel and long days out mean dogs spend more time on their own. If you will be gone longer than your dog is used to, arrange a visit from a friend or a dog walker. If you are traveling, book boarding or a sitter early, because good ones fill up fast in December. Bring your dog's usual food with them. A sudden change of diet in a new place is an easy way to end up with an upset stomach.
If something goes wrong
If you think your dog has eaten something dangerous, do not wait for symptoms. Call your veterinarian, or an emergency clinic if your veterinarian is closed for the holiday. Two poison helplines are open around the clock, and both charge a consultation fee:
It is worth saving your nearest emergency clinic's number in your phone now, before the busy weeks begin.
Signs that need a prompt call include vomiting, diarrhea, a painful or swollen belly, restlessness or hunching, weakness, trembling, or collapse.
The bottom line
The holidays do not have to be risky for your dog. Keep the table and the trash out of reach, give guests one simple rule, set up a quiet room, and watch the doors. That covers most of what goes wrong.
And if your dog's regular food is something they genuinely look forward to, they are a lot less interested in what is on everyone else's plate.
Not sure Visionary's right for your dog? Start with a bundle and take 17% off your first order. If your dog turns up their nose, you get a full refund. No risk.
Waggy Tails,
Paul Raybould
Founder & CEO, Visionary Pet & KetoPet
This article is for general education and is not veterinary advice. If you think your dog has eaten something harmful or is unwell, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
