How To Keep Your Pets Safe During The Holidays: Tips For Pet-Proofing Your Home

The holidays are hectic, and you may find yourself dealing with decorations, baking, cooking, and hosting, all compacted into a short period. It's undoubtedly a time to celebrate with friends and family, make merry memories, and manage a chaotic schedule backed by the need to keep things moving smoothly. For many pet parents, playful pups or cute cats are the center of their world, and their schedules and needs often work around ensuring their companions stay healthy and happy. However, the holidays can bring challenges, and you can't always put them at the forefront when you have many commitments and plans.

The rush of the holidays can expose our companions to unexpected accidents, whether getting into something they shouldn't, becoming tempted by seasonal scents, or just trying to navigate the sudden influx of people around them. However, with proper preparation, you can easily avoid unwanted accidents and broken Christmas ornaments by considering your pet's needs in advance. The holidays will always be work, but here are some ways to ensure your pets have a safe and happy household so they can enjoy the season with you.

For many, the holiday season starts as soon as the Christmas tree goes up, acting as a centerpiece as you deck the halls and begin your holiday preparations. But this tall-standing holiday monolith poses a potential problem for pets, with that shiny star or angel on the top potentially turning the evening into a horror story of your cat vs. the Christmas tree. Or, your inquisitive pooch sniffing around the base can lead to a tumbling tree if they get startled. For the sake of your hard work and the safety of your pets, consider securing and tethering your tree to ensure it stays upright.

You will want your Christmas tree to be as straight and tight as possible. That means buying a solid base. If you have an existing one, examine it for any wear and tear, such as loose screws or joints. You can also use wooden shims or cardboard to help stabilize the base by wedging them in. While you may be hesitant to put holes in your wall, putting two hook screws behind the tree and running fishing wire through the hooks and around the tree is ideal to keep it secure. If you're worried about a potential eyesore, you can always place pet-friendly decorations on the hook, like a large bow, and use the same spot for your tree next year.

Every pet parent has a different view of their companion's boundaries. Some may already have gates to keep their dog in or out of an area; others let them have full command of their kingdom. While your dog's wandering may be more manageable outside of the holidays, you may consider creating a barrier with many people going in and out. If your dog is prone to distractions, running outside could be dangerous with traffic coming in and out, cold temperatures embracing them, or salt from the streets hurting their paws.

You can get a top-rated pet-specific gate, but an approved and tested baby gate will also work. For example, the Cumbor 29.7-46" Baby Gate for Stairs comes in multiple sizes to fit your needs. If you need a quick fix, you can use sturdy cardboard to make a barrier or other big household items (like a step ladder on its side) to block off a path. Just be mindful of tripping hazards for yourself, and avoid using something with sharp edges for your pet's safety. For the curious kitty, you can purchase a cute sign that reminds visitors to be mindful not to let the cat out or make a festive-themed one yourself. The sign won't stop your feline from seeking freedom, but visitors will be more aware of a potential escape artist at their feet.

Part of decorating homes during the holidays includes bringing in seasonal plants. Whether you want to kiss someone under the mistletoe or have a large poinsettia as a highlight of your festive decor, an influx of greenery can come into the home during Christmas. Unfortunately, much of the seasonal flora, including amaryllis, snowdrops, holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, and yew, is poisonous to pets. Your Christmas tree can also be problematic if a pet ingests its needles. You may want to consider alternatives like a synthetic or artistic tree in a lively household.

The potential danger doesn't mean you must give up on these plants entirely; there's a way to dissuade your pets from chewing on them. For dogs, you want to find places where these will be out of reach, or you can create a barrier around a larger plant, like a poinsettia, with a wooden gate. Furthermore, you can buy pet-deterrent sprays online, like the Nature's Miracle Advanced Platinum Cat Pet Block Repellent Spray, but you can also use homemade solutions. And, of course, keep in mind that the same spray may not work equally for all pets. 

Cats are known to turn their nose away from citrus, so putting lemon or orange peels at the base of the plant can act as a natural deterrent, or dilute lemon juice and spray your plant; don't use essential oils, as they can be toxic to your pets. Even with these suggestions, monitoring your furry friend to ensure these measures work is necessary, or you can simply decorate with flowers that won't harm your pets.

Much like festive flora, the holidays are a time of preparing meals and baking that you only indulge in during the season. Any pet parent can attest to the allure of cooking chicken or turkey and how involved in the process a kitty or pooch becomes. To be safe, you may want to avoid letting anyone give your pet Christmas treats unless you approve. We've even previously gathered the Christmas dinner foods that are safe for cats and dogs to eat. Still, popular festive snacks like chocolate, grapes, coffee, alcohol, and baking that includes xylitol can all be highly toxic. Fatty and salty foods aren't healthy for your pet, and onions, chives, leeks, or garlic won't be deadly in minute doses but are still toxic if consumed in large quantities.

Keep food out of reach of pets, and if you're putting out baked goods, consider having them in a sealed container instead of laying out in the open. While your pooch should stay grounded, a cat can bravely leap to investigate potential meals. When decorating, make sure you don't take away your cat's high places so they still have a place to observe everything going on and will be less tempted to jump onto your counter. You can create deterrents to jumping by using towels on the edge so if they jump up, they slide off; placing baking tins in front of the baked goods to create a noisy deterrent; or attaching double-sided pet tape to the edge of any counters or tables.

One person's trash is potentially a treasure trove for a pet. This temptation is particularly strong during the holidays when food flows and garbage fills with wondrous scents to a nosey cat or dog. While the best way to avoid temptation is to take out any food waste or use a separate compost for food, this won't be the case in every household as the merriment commences. If you thought ahead or had issues with pets sniffing around the garbage, you may have already gone out and got a pet-proof touch-sensor garbage can, like the iTouchless 13 Gallon Dog Proof Trash Can. Still, there are other ways to keep those busy-bodies out of the trash.

The easiest solution to keep pets from rummaging through a trash can is to store it out of reach, like behind a gate or in an enclosed space. If this is not an option, you can also secure most garbage lids with a child safety lock (on both sides to ensure no spillage if they knock it over). You can also try homemade sprays, like diluted lemon juice or vinegar, to dissuade them from getting too close. While some homemade sprays include cayenne pepper, only use this hot spice in very small quantities, as it can cause irritation.

Whether you're running more lights or moving stuff around so you can swap between tunes and TV, you'll likely have many more wires running through the house come the holidays. Wires can present a hazard for any pet, whether they're chewing or getting tangled in them. With so many new obstacles and shiny lights brought into the house for our furry friends, it can get messy.

Going wireless is certainly an option with modern decorating options, and you can also minimize any risk by turning off lights when not in use. If your setup is wire-heavy, there are ways to deter pets from getting tangled or chewing. Hiding and covering hazards is an excellent preventive measure, but with exposed wires, you can use wraps to keep them together and apply two-sided tape to deter a pet from picking at them. You can also place wires beside a training mat, with the mat's texture acting as a deterrent from a prolonged investigation of the spot. Another option employed by rabbit parents, seeing as rabbits are active nibblers, is to run the wires through PVC piping.

Tinsel has been going out of fashion for a good reason; it's not environmentally friendly, it makes a mess, and it can be a hazard to your pet. Yet, old traditions die hard, and come winter, some families still use it to decorate. At the same time, a tree full of shiny ornaments can catch the eye of a kitty who wants to investigate closer, or a hanging candy cane could be a potential steal for a confident doggo. Ingested tinsel can cause blockage, a broken ornament is a hazard for everyone, and treats on a tree can be poisonous. So, as you deck the halls, you'll want to consider options that will be less dangerous to an inquisitive kitty or pooch.

Ribbons have become the go-to for decorating, and you can find plenty of online inspiration to make them unique to your tastes. Bows are a better alternative, but you still want to ensure they won't be a choking hazard (stick to larger bows). Avoid ornaments that break easily; if you have one that's a family heirloom or tradition, consider hanging it up elsewhere and out of reach of any paws or snoots. You can also use the holiday to celebrate your little companion by making themed, safe ornaments for the tree. If you're only worrying about a canine, you can still use traditional decorations on a tree, but consider having a smaller one up high on a table that's out of reach.

Even the most extroverted person needs some downtime to reconnect with themselves and find a moment of peace to reflect. The same goes for our furry companions, and while they may always seem to want to be involved in everything we do, a full household can offer too much stimulation. A dog needs downtime to destress and avoid anxiety, while a kitty needs its own space to feel secure. Having these taken away during the holidays may not be unsafe, but it adds unnecessary stress that can see them acting out in ways that could lead to an accident.

For the holidays, you can create a pet zone in your home. Offer them all their favorite things — check out our list of the best dog beds for every budget and preference —and have some relaxing noises or scents to help drown out everything happening around the home. You can even discuss with guests that the space is off-limits, particularly to kids who don't always understand boundaries. If you're hosting for the first time and your furry companions aren't used to others, you can also prepare in advance by having planned guests over for short bursts (10 minutes) and build up to longer stays. This is their home, too, and you'll want to ensure they don't lose that with an influx of people and noise during the holidays.

Candles and Christmas lights bring a certain ambiance to the holidays that's hard to quantify. There's a warmness and calmness when surrounded by the holiday glow. Yet, open flames can burn a cat that's weaving its way across a space, or a dog might find comfort in the warm lights only to find their skin getting burned. Candles can be dangerous to use around pets, and your moment of solitude can turn into chaos when you realize one of your little ones has hurt themselves.

Luckily, you can still immerse yourself in a holiday glow while keeping your furry friend's skin and fur safe. Candle warmers are a great alternative, as they allow you to melt wax and get those comforting scents without an open flame; you can even get a festive one, like the Loowoko Christmas Candle Warmer Lamp. If you're thinking of updating your Christmas lights, LED is a better option to keep the voltage and heat low for any puppy that might find itself snoozing by the Christmas tree. You can also get crafty and make holiday-themed mason jar lights; just ensure any breakable decorations are kept in a safe spot.

While entertaining your guests, you may pay less attention to a beloved pooch or cat. An ignored dog can lead to boredom — and to problematic behavior. You may not be able to play with them as much, and they may feel a bit anxious if the cold keeps them from their regular walks. While cats are often considered solitary creatures, stimulation is just as essential to their mental well-being. You don't want your furry friends to feel left out, but there are ways you can keep them occupied and involve them in the festivities.

Pet-themed holiday gifts aren't just for people; you can give your pets early gifts to help keep them content. Cats can be relatively easy to please; hold onto some of those holiday boxes and build a fort to play in, or use corks to make a DIY toy. For your naturally inquisitive pooch, you can look at mental stimulation toys and pick a treat puzzle toy, like the Interactive Dog Treat Puzzle Toys, to keep your pup's mind busy. 

There are DIY options for your pooch as well. Consider playing a game of "find the treat" by placing something special inside one of a few small boxes, and let them sniff it out. Chews are a great time sink and distraction. You can make an affordable and healthy snack by cutting up thin lengths of sweet potato and dehydrating it in the oven or air fryer. You can even sprinkle it with a bit of cinnamon to give it a festive scent.

Part of the holiday anticipation for those with kids (and adults who are young at heart) is seeing presents under the tree and counting down to the moment you finally open them up. Yet, with their pretty bows and potential treasures, these bright boxes can be just as intriguing to a dog or cat. The last thing you want is to wake up and find a present that's already been opened and destroyed, or, even worse, that a dog that can't eat chocolates got into a box of them meant for a loved one.

For displaying presents, consider having them stored away and bringing them out just before the little ones wake up so you can keep an eye on them. If you want the boxes to brighten your holiday decor, consider putting them on a table beside the tree to keep out of reach of dogs. And you can still display presents this way in a multi-pet household; just ensure there are no choking hazards and that the presents won't get knocked over by a cat. Another option for those with a more petite pooch is to place a gate around the tree and presents. You can even get Christmas-themed ones, like the Blulu Christmas Tree Gate.

You'll also want to consider your yard when pet-proofing for the holidays, as outdoor activities have potential risks. Decorations must be secured, and lights placed to avoid tangling. The cold can do a number on an unprepared pooch, and winter can bring unsafe temperatures for pets. When temperatures get below freezing, many dog breeds can only be out for short bursts.

You'll want to ensure inflatables are safely secured. Stakes, additional tethers, and weights will all help ensure one doesn't take off into the path of a (now) terrified doggo. Then, lighting should be out of reach or secured tightly to prevent tangling. Any consideration for inside decorations should be the same for outside decorations.

If you're playing the role of a gracious host, ask people not to let your dog out without asking you so that you're aware of where they are at all times. A quick pee could turn into a freezing and potentially dangerous outside stay in a backyard. Drinking responsibly to holiday music with friends or trying to entertain excited kids can cause one to forget about their pet's bathroom break, so set a one-minute timer on your phone to help you remember to check on your furry friend.