How to have a dog-friendly Christmas
Christmas is a time of celebration, but it also brings a variety of potential hazards to the home for our dogs
Awareness of the risks of Christmas foods, plants and decorations is important. Many common festive items can cause serious health issues to dogs. Understanding these dangers is the first step in ensuring a safe and happy festive season for the entire family. This article will look at the various hazards associated with Christmas, from toxic foods and plants to hazardous decorations, and provide tips on keeping your dog safe during the celebrations.
Poisonous plants found in the home at Christmas
Holly
Holly is a common shrub with glossy leaves and red berries, often used in Christmas decorations. Both the leaves and berries contain irritants that can affect the mucous membranes. If ingested, common signs of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, and depression.
Treatment usually involves ensuring the pet stays hydrated and using anti-sickness medication if needed. Pets normally make a full recovery with treatment.
Poinsettia
The poinsettia, a popular houseplant during Christmas, is known for being toxic, but this is generally not true. Ingestion may cause mild irritation, leading to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
Treatment consists of ensuring good hydration. Pets normally make a full recovery with treatment.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe contains polysaccharides, alkaloids, and lectins which can be harmful if eaten. Ingestion of the berries or the leaves usually cause mild symptoms like drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal discomfort. However, consuming large amounts can lead to serious issues such as an abnormal heart rhythm, low blood pressure, unsteadiness, and seizures.
Treatment is generally supportive such as fluid therapy, and anti-vomiting medication. In more severe cases treatment for the abnormal heart rhythm and low blood pressure may be needed. Fortunately, with prompt veterinary care, most dogs recover fully.
Ivy
All parts of the ivy plant are toxic. Symptoms of poisoning typically appear a few hours after ingestion and include excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.
Treatment involves hydration, supportive care, and anti-sickness medication if necessary. Pets normally make a full recovery with treatment.
Potpourri
Potpourri is a mixture of plant materials (flowers, wood shavings, fruits, leaves, and spices) used to scent rooms. Ingesting potpourri can cause significant gastrointestinal issues, likely due to physical damage to the gut rather than plant toxicity. Symptoms may appear 24-48 hours after ingestion and include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. In some cases, respiratory distress, collapse, convulsions, and kidney failure may also occur.
Treatment is symptomatic and supportive, focusing on hydration. Pets usually recover with treatment although rarely it can still be serious or even fatal.
Poisonous Christmas foods
Chocolate
Chocolate contains two types of methylxanthines: theobromine and caffeine. The risk of poisoning depends on the amount ingested, the dog's size, the type of chocolate, and the dog's sensitivity to these compounds. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning usually appear within 4 hours and include vomiting, abdominal tenderness, excessive drooling, increased thirst and urination, excitability, fast heart rate, and incoordination. Severe cases may involve muscle rigidity, tremors, convulsions, and kidney dysfunction.
Treatment consists of using anti-sickness medication if ingestion just occurred, activated charcoal to prevent absorption of the poison, adequate hydration, and medications to manage fast heart rate if severe. The prognosis is favourable if treated early
Grapes, Currants, Raisins, Sultanas
These dried fruits are commonly found in Christmas products like Christmas pudding, fruit cake, and mince pies. Ingestion of raisins, currants, sultanas, or grapes can cause severe symptoms within 6 to 24 hours, including vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drooling, bloody stools, reduced appetite, weakness, lethargy, and acute kidney failure.
Treatment involves emptying the stomach, administering repeated doses of activated charcoal to absorb the poison, aggressive intravenous fluids to promote urination and protect kidney function, and supportive care with necessary medications and repeated blood tests to monitor kidney function. The prognosis is favourable if treatment begins before kidney impairment. If signs of kidney damage are present, the outlook is very guarded.
Macadamia Nuts
Symptoms of macadamia nut poisoning typically appear within 12 hours and include weakness, incoordination, abdominal tenderness, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, depression, fever, bloating, lameness, and joint pain.
Treatment includes symptomatic and supportive care, hydration, pain relief if needed, and blood tests to monitor liver function if necessary. The prognosis is generally favourable with hospital treatment.
Onions & Garlic (Alliums)
Onions, garlic, and other alliums are toxic to dogs, even when cooked. They contain organosulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and reduced appetite.
Treatment may involve intravenous fluids to support the kidneys. If eaten recently removing it from the stomach may be appropriate. In severe cases, treatments like giving oxygen or a blood transfusion may also be needed.
Alcohol (Ethanol)
Alcohol, commonly found in beverages, mouthwashes, and medications, is a colourless liquid. While it's widely used, it poses a risk to animals. Symptoms typically appear within 1-2 hours of ingestion and include: vomiting, diarrhea, agitation followed by depression, disorientation, vocalization, low body temperature, low blood sugar, and electrolyte imbalances.
Treatment involves inducing vomiting if ingestion was recent, providing warmth, and administering fluids intravenously for supportive care. With prompt treatment, pets normally make a full recovery.
Other hazards in the home at Christmas
Christmas trees & decorations
Pets can knock over the tree, causing injury or damage. Tree water at the bottom of the tree may contain toxic chemicals or sap. Tinsel, ornaments, and string lights can entice pets but pose serious risks. Tinsel can cause choking and internal blockages if swallowed. Broken ornaments can result in cuts or internal injuries if ingested. String lights can lead to electric shock or internal damage if chewed. Secure decorations out of your pet's reach and supervise any interaction with Christmas decs.
Candles
Curious pets can easily knock over lit candles, risking burns or starting fires. Always place candles out of reach of pets. Consider using flameless LED candles as a safer alternative to traditional ones.
Snow globes
Some snow globes contain antifreeze (ethylene glycol), which is highly toxic if ingested. Even a tiny amount can cause severe poisoning, leading to kidney failure and death. Keep snow globes out of reach and consider choosing those without toxic substances. See our article on anti-freeze poisoning.
Written by Dr. Mariella Roberts, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Trust Vets CIC
Published January 2025
This advice is for UK pets only
Animal Trust is a trading name of Animal Trust Vets CIC, a community interest company registered in England and Wales. Company Registration No: 07938025
Registered Office: Animal Trust Administration Centre, Cedab Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 4FE