A dog trainer’s guide to keeping your dog safe from hazards this Christmas
The Christmas season brings joy, celebration, and a little extra chaos—and while it’s a magical time for us, it can present serious hazards for our dogs. Here’s a guide to the most common Christmas dangers, how to prevent accidents, and how to keep your dog safe while still enjoying the festivities.
🎄 1. Toxic Christmas Foods
Christmas food smells irresistible to dogs, but many festive treats can be harmful—or even fatal.
Dangerous Foods Include:
Chocolate – toxic to dogs due to theobromine
Grapes, raisins & sultanas – found in mince pies, Christmas cake, and puddings; highly toxic to kidneys
Onions, garlic, leeks & chives – often in stuffing and gravy
Xylitol – found in sugar-free sweets and some baked goods
Alcohol – even small amounts can cause poisoning
Rich, fatty foods – can trigger pancreatitis (turkey skin, roast fat, gravy)
Prevention tip:
Keep food out of reach, brief guests not to share snacks, and use baby gates or a “place” command to keep dogs away during meals.
🎁 2. Christmas Decorations & Chewable Hazards
Many decorations seem like shiny toys to curious dogs.
Potential Hazards:
Tinsel & ribbon – can cause dangerous intestinal blockages if swallowed
Glass baubles – can shatter and injure paws or mouths
Fairy lights – chewing cables risks burns or electrocution
Snow globes – often contain antifreeze, which is extremely toxic
Silica gel packets – non-toxic but can cause stomach upset or choking
Prevention tip:
Place fragile or tempting decorations higher on the tree, secure cables, and supervise your dog around new holiday setups. A puppy pen is a great way to keep your tree decorations safe from curious dogs.
🌿 3. Poisonous Festive Plants
Some Christmas plants are mildly irritating; others are highly poisonous.
Toxic or harmful plants include:
Poinsettia – mild stomach upset
Holly – vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain
Mistletoe – can cause severe digestive issues, low heart rate, or tremors
Christmas trees – needles can puncture paws or stomach lining if eaten
Prevention tip:
Keep plants out of reach and vacuum tree needles regularly.
📦 4. Wrapping, Rubbish & Gift-Related Risks
Christmas morning can be chaos, and dogs love to get involved—but leftover items can be dangerous.
Wrapping paper – can cause blockages if eaten in large amounts
Plastic packaging – choking hazard
Batteries – highly toxic if punctured or swallowed
Small toys – easy to ingest, leading to choking or surgery
Prevention tip:
Create a designated clean-up area and feed your dog a long-lasting chew in their crate or bed to keep them occupied while presents are opened.
🚪 5. Guests, Open Doors & Overstimulation
Christmas gatherings can be overwhelming for dogs and increase the risk of escapes.
Risks include:
Bolting out open doors during arrivals
Stress from noise, children, and unfamiliar people
Resource guarding if food is dropped or shared
Prevention tip:
Set up a quiet retreat space, practice a solid “place” command, or use baby gates, leads, and crates as needed. See last week’s blog for more guidance on dog management during busy moments.
❤️ Keep Christmas Safe and Merry for Your Dog
With a little planning and awareness, you can enjoy a magical Christmas without putting your dog at risk. Supervision, structure, and simple precautions go a long way in preventing accidents.
