Safety Tips

Pet-friendly holidays: Tips to keep your pet safe this holiday season

November 10, 2025

The holidays are a magical time. Between Halloween and New Year’s, we indulge a bit in the merriment and food! If you plan to include your pets in the festivities, it’s important to keep them safe.

These tips will help keep your holiday season pet-friendly and safe.

The season of decadence

Food is the cornerstone of the holidays – no matter which holiday you celebrate. We gather around the table with friends and family for full hearts and even fuller stomachs, but many of our favorite holiday dishes and traditions are hazardous to our pets. Gelt coins, Advent calendars, trick-or-treat candies, and Santa’s cookies – chocolate is a delicious danger, but it’s not the only food you should keep away from pets over the holidays.

A short list of pet-safe “people” food.

These are considered safe to slip your pet while you prep your holiday meal – with no salt, seasonings, or sauce.

  • Carrots
  • Green beans
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Cooked pumpkin
  • Cooked sweet potato
  • Cooked rice
  • Apples (cored and peeled)
  • Pears
  • Strawberries

A shortlist of not-so-pet-friendly “people” food.

These ingredients and foods are commonly found in our favorite holiday traditions, but toxic to pets.

  • Xylitol
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Grapes/Raisins
  • Yeast dough
  • Dairy products
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Baking powder/baking soda
  • Walnuts
  • Brisket
  • Nutmeg
  • Alcohol

The iffy list of pet-safe “people” food.

These foods are considered pet safe in moderation or with considerations

  • Pomegranate seeds and juice are safe in moderation, but the rind is not.
  • Cheese
  • Turkey meat is a delicious treat but leave the skins and fatty trimmings in the trash.
  • Applesauce can be high in sugar and spice, but when prepared without, a small amount is okay.
  • Ripe tomatoes are generally safe, but tomato sauces are not due to additives, such as garlic and onion.

It is essential to keep foods high in fat well out of your pet’s reach, including meat trimmings, pies, and other similar treats. The excess of fat can lead to pancreatitis, a serious issue for your pet.

The season of lights

Twinkly strings and candles alight. Fireplaces burning and presents wrapped up tight. Menorahs shine and tinsel shimmers. While we love the glamour of the holiday season, the decorations can spell danger for pets.

Keep wires, candles, and fragile decor away from your furry friends to keep them safe.

If you suspect your pet is sick or injured, please call 303.722.5800 for urgent care services at our Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur.

The season to kiss under the mistletoe

Whether you’re kissing under the mistletoe, decking the halls with boughs of holly, or roasting chestnuts over an open fire, seasonal plants can be a source of indigestion or even danger to your pet! Mistletoe and Poinsettias are not the only toxic plants; live and fake Christmas trees can also pose a problem.

Live Christmas trees require a watering source to remain lush and green throughout the season. That water can also host several bacteria that can cause tummy trouble for your pet if they drink it. Meanwhile, fake Christmas tees often come pre-wired with lights.

What to watch for

Lethargy, vomiting, and signs of general discomfort, such as pacing, excessive salivation, or whimpers, are all signs your pet may have ingested something.

Our Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur is here for you

The Humane Colorado Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur offers low-cost urgent care services for when your pet needs it most. We’re here for you throughout the holiday season. If your pet needs urgent care, please call us at 303.722.5800.

We hope you have a happy and pet-friendly holiday season!

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