A pet-safe Aussie Christmas: Festive hazards, hot days and what to do if something goes wrong

A little planning goes a long way. This guide covers the most common Christmas hazards for dogs and cats, how to handle the summer heat, and what to do if your pet gets into something they shouldn't.

Festive food: what to keep out of reach

Pets cannot tell a treat from a hazard, and the Christmas table is full of both. Some foods that are fine for people can be dangerous for dogs and cats:

• Chocolate, including cooking chocolate and chocolate gifts under the tree.
• Christmas cake, puddings and mince pies, which contain sultanas, raisins and currants. These dried vine fruits can be harmful to dogs.
• Macadamia nuts, which are common at Christmas and can make dogs unwell.
• Onion and garlic, often hiding in stuffing, gravy and sauces.
• Anything sweetened with xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in some lollies, gum, baking and sugar-free products.
• Alcohol, including unattended glasses and desserts made with it.
• Cooked bones, ham skin and fatty scraps. Bones can splinter or cause blockages, and rich, fatty food can upset a pet's tummy badly.
• Corn cobs, prawn shells and skewers from the barbecue, which can cause blockages if swallowed.

A simple rule: keep bins covered, scrape plates where pets can't reach, and ask guests not to share scraps. If you want your pet to join in, set aside a pet-safe treat of their own.

Decorations and gifts

A tree full of sparkly, dangling things is hard for a curious pet to resist.

• Tinsel, ribbon and string are tempting to chew and swallow, and can cause serious problems inside the tummy. This includes the string from roast meat.
• Baubles and ornaments can break, and small pieces can be swallowed.
• Tree water can grow bacteria, so keep it covered.
• Fairy light cords are a chewing hazard, so tuck them out of reach.
• Small batteries from toys and gifts can be dangerous if swallowed.
• Lilies in Christmas bouquets are highly dangerous to cats. Choose pet-safe flowers or keep lilies out of the house

Beating the heat

An Australian Christmas can be hot, and pets feel it too.

• Make sure there is always fresh water in the shade, indoors and out.
• Walk dogs in the cool of early morning or evening. Hot pavements can burn paws.
• Never leave a pet in a parked car, even for a short time.
• Keep leftover seafood and meat covered and in the fridge, and out of reach of bins.
• Cats should stay safely at home. Provide cool, shady spots, fresh water and a comfortable indoor space or enclosed area.

Guests and routines

Visitors, noise and open doors can be stressful for pets and can make it easy for a gate or door to be left open.

• Give your pet a quiet space with water, a bed and a favourite toy, away from the crowd.
• Let guests know the house rules around pets, doors and gates.
• Check that your pet's microchip details are up to date, just in case.
• Keep to your pet's usual meal and walk times as much as you can.

If your pet eats something they shouldn't

If you think your pet has eaten something harmful, don't wait for symptoms to appear. Contact a vet straight away.

It helps to have this information ready:

• What your pet ate, and the packaging if you have it
• How much, and when
• Your pet's approximate weight

Please don't try to make your pet vomit unless a vet has told you to.

Start the holidays with a check-up

If your pet is due for a check-up or vaccinations, or you are travelling, boarding or welcoming guests, getting things sorted before Christmas can make the holidays much calmer. Book early to avoid a last-minute rush.

Home visits are the same price as a standard vet appointment, with no callout fee, and Dr Bec comes to you in Toowoomba, Highfields, Oakey and Kingsthorpe.

Get in touch directly: 

📧 rebecca@toowoombamobilevet.com.au 

📱 0422 412 148

These articles do not substitute for professional veterinary care. If you have concerns, please click here to get in contact with Dr Rebecca Welsh.