Pet-Friendly Holiday Treats: What’s Safe for Cats and Dogs at Christmastime

As your local source for vet services, the team at Chimpan Road Animal Clinic knows you will (as we do too) include your furry pals in holiday celebrations. As a warm fire crackles, Christmas lights twinkle, and the family gathers around the table for a delectable meal, your pet will be there too, watching every bite with the expectation of a drop or a handout. Meal drops or stolen morsels can become holiday hazards for pets. In this blog, we’ll guide you through: 

• Treats that may be safe occasionally 
• Forbidden foods 
• Healthy alternative yummies 
• What to do when my pet eats something dangerous. 

With awareness and thoughtful planning, you and your pet can enjoy happy festivities – and out of emergency care. 

Holiday Safety Starts with Food Awareness

The holidays should be fun for our pets, too. Share the love in small amounts with wholesome ingredients that are safe to offer. Options such as plain turkey (without skin, bones, or seasoning), cooked vegetables like carrots and green beans, and small bites of fruit (such as apples) without seeds are healthy treats. Moderation and clean preparation will ward off overindulgence and ensure that no seasoning, butter, garlic, onions, or rich sauces are ingested. 

As a side note, remember that pets need a comfortable retreat and safe foods during Christmas shenanigans that disrupt their normal routines. Because safety comes first, double-check with your vet before sharing any holiday nibbles.

Some foods should never be offered to your pet! Many of the foods you absolutely need to avoid are around at Christmas time, such as: 

• Chocolate 
• Grapes 
• Raisins 
• Onions 
• Garlic 
• Bones
• Fat trimmings 
• Alcohol 

The above foods should never be available for pets. Foods with caffeine or artificial sweeteners, like xylitol, are also holiday dangers for pets. The food items mentioned here can cause problems from digestive distress to severe toxicity and can be life-threatening. Even tiny amounts can cause health issues. Remind guests not to sneak treats under the table and keep these foods far away from paw’s reach for holiday pet safety. 

Making homemade treats from wholesome ingredients like pumpkin, peanut butter, or oats is a fun gift idea for your pets. Or you can purchase pre-packaged treats made for cats and dogs from a trusted source. Gifts do not need to be treats. A new toy or a plush bed would be a fun gift for your pet. Just remember to keep treat wrappers, small costume pieces, or toys with removable parts away from reach. Holiday safety tips for pets involve creating an environment that is safe and comfortable for your pets. 

Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline immediately if you even suspect your pet has ingested something toxic. Don’t watch for symptoms to appear before reaching out for help – time is critical. Home remedies or “waiting it out” can lead to sad consequences. Professional intervention is always best. At Chipman Road Animal Clinic, our vet services include “walk-in emergency service and ongoing wellness support to help you through unexpected situations. 

With awareness and preparation, you will make the holidays awesome for the whole family, including the four-legged furry-faced ones. Choose safe holiday treats for cats and dogs, keep dangerous foods out of paws' reach, and know what to do in an emergency to keep everyone safe. If you have any questions about holiday pet safety, feel free to stop by or call us at Chipman Road Animal Clinic. We’re here to help you keep your pets healthy, safe, and happily wagging or purring through the holidays.