Keeping Your Companion Pets Safe and Happy from Thanksgiving Through Christmas

From Thanksgiving feasts to Christmas celebrations, the holiday season brings joy and family gatherings into our homes. But for pet owners, this festive period also brings unique challenges and hidden dangers that can turn celebrations into emergencies.

Thanksgiving: The Feast That's Not for Pets

Thanksgiving dinner smells irresistible to your pets, but many traditional dishes are dangerous:

  • Turkey bones – Can splinter and cause choking or intestinal punctures
  • Fatty foods – Gravy and turkey skin can trigger pancreatitis
  • Onions and garlic – Found in stuffing; toxic to pets
  • Grapes and raisins – Often in desserts; can cause kidney failure
  • Xylitol – This sugar substitute in baked goods is potentially fatal

Additionally, opening doors during guest arrivals creates easy escape opportunities for curious pets.

Christmas: Beautiful But Hazardous

Your festive decorations create a wonderland for humans—but a minefield for pets:

  • Christmas trees – Can tip over if climbed or bumped
  • Tinsel and ribbon – Cause serious intestinal blockages if swallowed
  • Electrical cords – Pose electrocution risks if chewed
  • Holiday plants – Poinsettias, mistletoe, holly, and lilies are toxic
  • Ornaments and candles – Glass can shatter; open flames create burn hazards

Creating a Pet-Safe Holiday Home

  • Anchor your Christmas tree to prevent tipping
  • Skip tinsel entirely if you have cats
  • Keep ornaments on upper branches only
  • Secure trash cans with lids after holiday meals
  • Create a quiet retreat room away from party noise
  • Inform guests not to feed table scraps

The Stress Your Pet Isn't Telling You About

The holiday season disrupts your pet's normal routine with:

  • Unfamiliar guests coming and going
  • Loud noises (doorbells, music, children playing)
  • Schedule changes affecting meal and walk times
  • Overnight visitors are taking over their favorite spaces
  • Strange smells from cooking and decorations

Warning signs of holiday stress in pets:

  • Hiding or refusing to come out
  • Loss of appetite or overeating
  • Accidents in the house, despite being house-trained
  • Excessive barking, whining, or meowing
  • Destructive behavior (chewing, scratching)
  • Aggression or unusual irritability

Here's what catches most pet owners off guard: Holiday stress doesn't just disappear on January 1st. Pets who experience prolonged anxiety during the season can develop behavioral issues that persist for months—affecting their wellbeing and your home environment.

Traveling for the Holidays?

Professional pet care facilities offer more than just a kennel; we provide:

  • Personalized attention tailored to your pet's unique personality and needs
  • Structured routines that maintain consistency even during the busy season
  • Enrichment activities to keep pets mentally stimulated and happy
  • Feel free to check in with us anytime
  • See your pet photos on our social media
  • Direct partnership with urgent care veterinarians for immediate medical support
  • Nutritional expertise to maintain special diets and feeding schedules
  • Trained staff with a vet assistant who can recognize stress signals and provide comfort

The holidays should be joyful for everyone in your family, including your companion pets. Professional pet care services ensure your pets stay safe, comfortable, and stress-free while you're away.

Ready to make this holiday season worry-free?

Discover how personalized boarding, daycare, and wellness services can transform your pet's holiday experience.

  • 📞 Call us today at (281) 208-3708
  • 🌐 Visit wishbonepetcare.com

Holiday boarding fills up fast, so plan ahead to secure your pet's spot!

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Written by Tammi Bui, Owner of Wishbone Pet Care

About Wishbone Pet Care: Serving Missouri City and Sugar Land since 2011, Wishbone Pet Care provides trusted boarding, grooming, daycare, training, and holistic wellness services for your companion pets. Founded by Tammi Bui in memory of her beloved dog Benji, our mission is to strengthen the bond between pets and their families through exceptional, personalized care in a safe, loving environment.