Ah, the holidays. That magical time of year filled with twinkling lights, family, food, and… danger? Yup. As much as we love decking the halls, it’s easy to forget that our furry little pals need a little extra TLC during this festive frenzy. The truth? I learned the hard way that knowing how to keep your pet safe during the holiday season isn’t just a nice-to-know—it’s essential if you want to avoid a disaster.

The Hidden Holiday Hazards

First off, let’s talk about the sneaky stuff that can cause some serious trouble. I’m talking about all the stuff you don’t think twice about when you’re busy with your holiday hustle.

Common Culprits Lurking in Plain Sight

• Tinsel and ribbons: I’ve caught my cat, Mittens, more than once tangled up in ribbon like she’s auditioning for a holiday parade. Not fun when they swallow it.
• Glass ornaments: Listen, I have this gorgeous glass ornament I bought from a boutique in the French Quarter. It’s stunning—until Mittens knocked it off the tree and I had to scramble to find it before she tried eating the shards.
• Electric cords: Ok, this is a big one. I’ve had two instances where I turned my back for a second, and my puppy decided the Christmas tree lights were the best chew toy ever. Cue panic.
• Candles: I love a good candle. The ones that smell like cookies or gingerbread. But, uh, have you ever had a candle knocked over by a tail wagging in excitement? Yeah. That could’ve ended much worse than just a melted wax mess.
• Toxic plants: I’m a sucker for poinsettias, but let’s be honest, they’re like poison for pets. I swear, my plants are the only ones in my house that survive longer than my new year’s resolutions.

If you’re serious about how to keep your pet safe during the holiday season, one of the first things you should do is make sure all those holiday hazards are either put up high or banned from the house altogether.

The Tempting but Dangerous Holiday Foods

Now, let’s talk about something else that gets us in trouble: food. I mean, c’mon, who doesn’t want to share the love with their pets when you’re elbow-deep in mashed potatoes? But that’s not always the best idea, trust me. I’ll tell you why.

The Forbidden Foods (Seriously, Don’t Let Them Have It)

• Chocolate: Okay, I’ve got a little story here. My friend’s dog once got into some dark chocolate (I mean, who leaves that out on the counter?), and let’s just say it wasn’t a merry Christmas after that. Dogs can’t handle chocolate. It’s toxic. It can ruin their whole holiday.
• Grapes and raisins: This one hit close to home—my old dog, Diesel, loved grapes. One Christmas, I thought, “Oh, it’s just a couple of grapes, right?” WRONG. The vet spent an hour calming me down while they treated him for kidney failure. Don’t do it. Just… don’t.
• Onions and garlic: I didn’t know this at first either, but these can cause some serious issues for pets. A few years ago, I made a turkey with garlic butter, and my curious dog tried to snatch the turkey off the counter. Thankfully, I stopped him before things went south.
• Cooked bones: Look, I know the temptation is real to let your dog gnaw on a leftover drumstick, but cooked bones? They splinter. And that means danger. Choking, blockages, you name it.
• Alcohol: Don’t give your pet alcohol. That’s one holiday mistake I’ve thankfully never made, but I’ve heard stories. My neighbor, Carol, once told me how her dog tried to steal her spiked cider and ended up in the ER. Bad times.

If you want to know how to keep your pet safe during the holiday season, it’s all about saying NO to those sweet little faces begging for food they can’t have. I swear, it’s harder than it sounds.

Managing Guests and Stress (or How I Almost Lost My Dog to a Room Full of Relatives)

Okay, now that we’ve covered the obvious food and decor hazards, let’s get to something a little more under the radar: stress. Your pet might not love all the extra action, loud voices, or new people walking through the door. And trust me—there’s a reason I know this.

When the Holidays Stress Your Pet (and You)

• Set up a quiet space: I made this mistake when I invited everyone over for Christmas dinner last year. My dog, Benny, was overwhelmed by the noise and chaos. He ended up hiding under the dining table, and my mom tried to coax him out with a slice of turkey. Not his finest hour. The moral? Set up a quiet room where your pet can retreat and chill.
• Introduce guests slowly: Everyone loves to meet the pets, right? But sometimes, pets need time to warm up. I’ve had instances where someone barged into my house, bent down to pet my dog—and well, let’s just say Benny wasn’t feeling it. Give them space to adjust.
• Calming aids: You can’t always predict when things get overwhelming for your pet, but you can prepare. Pheromone diffusers, calming sprays, and anxiety vests are lifesavers. My dog Benny? He’s basically a walking stress ball without his calming vest.

So yeah, if you want to really know how to keep your pet safe during the holiday season, it’s not just about the dangers—they need mental peace too.

Travel with Pets (Because Who Doesn’t Want to Bring Their Dog to Grandma’s?)

Whether you’re flying or road-tripping, traveling during the holidays is stressful enough. Add a pet to the mix, and it’s like a game of “Will We Make It?” with stakes. Here’s what I learned the hard way.

Travel Tips That Might Actually Save You and Your Pet

• Keep them in a crate: I swear by this rule. It’s not just for safety—it’s for peace of mind. If you’re traveling by car, your pet should be in a well-ventilated crate. No exceptions. I learned this after an incident where my dog decided the best place to nap during a long drive was, well, my lap. Not ideal when I’m driving on the freeway.
• Don’t forget familiar items: Bring along your pet’s favorite blanket, toy, or anything else that makes them feel secure. I’m a firm believer that Benny’s favorite squeaky ball makes the whole road trip bearable.
• Don’t leave them in the car: Hot weather is one thing, but even in winter, the car can turn into an oven for a pet. I made this mistake once, and thankfully, Benny was fine—but I’ll never leave him alone in the car again.

When you’re figuring out how to keep your pet safe during the holiday season, travel prep is key. Always plan ahead and be ready.

The Decor Dilemma: Making Sure Your Pets Don’t Destroy Everything

Decorating for the holidays is fun—until your dog decides the tree is a chew toy. Believe me, I’ve been there. The first year I put up my Christmas tree? I found Benny napping under it, having destroyed half of the ornaments. Whoops.

Holiday Decor That Won’t Break Your Pet (or Your Heart)

• Secure the tree: Anchor it to the wall. I don’t care if you have to use fishing wire—do it. You’d rather prevent the disaster than deal with the aftermath.
• Battery-operated candles: I used to be all about the real ones until I realized how quickly a wagging tail could turn my holiday ambiance into a fire hazard. Now? All about those safe LED candles. Fancy, but safe.
• No edible decorations: I had a brief, wild idea to make popcorn garlands last year. Spoiler alert: my dog thought they were snacks. The garlands were gone before I could even get one on the tree.

Knowing how to keep your pet safe during the holiday season means making sure all your pretty decorations won’t end up as chew toys or potential hazards.

Final Thoughts (and a Self-Care Tip for You, Too)

The holidays can be a whirlwind of chaos and fun, but don’t forget about your pets. They rely on you to keep them safe. And while you’re making your holiday plans, remember that how to keep your pet safe during the holiday season is something that deserves your attention. Your pets will thank you for it (or, well, they’ll at least stop chewing on your favorite ornaments).

Fun Fact: Did you know that Victorians used to talk to their ferns for good luck? I’ve tried that with my plants before—spoiler alert, it didn’t work. But hey, talking to your pets during the holidays might just keep them feeling cozy.