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The safest holiday party for most pets is one where the animal has a quiet, familiar room to retreat to, guests know not to feed it, and food, decorations, and medications are out of reach. Whether your pet joins the crowd is optional. Many animals do better in a separate room with water, and that choice protects them from the most common problems: unplanned food, ingested decorations, and stress from strangers.
Decide whether your pet should join the party
Inclusion is a choice, not a goal. Before deciding, consider how your animal handles visitors, children, noise, and changes to its routine. A pet that is relaxed with people may enjoy short periods of social time. A pet that hides, paces, or avoids guests is better served by a separate room from the start.
Three practical questions help:
- Does your pet tolerate visitors, children, and louder-than-usual noise without withdrawing or becoming agitated?
- Do you have a room or kennel where the animal can be separated and left undisturbed?
- Can you keep food, drinks, trash, decorations, and medications out of reach for the entire evening?
If the answer to any of these is no, make separation the default. These are working considerations, not a scored or clinically validated test. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine advises keeping normal meal and walk schedules, and recommends speaking with your veterinarian in advance if a dog may need help with anxiety. Do not give medication for anxiety without veterinary direction.
Set up a quiet retreat before guests arrive
A retreat is a room, crate, or kennel that is stocked before the first guest rings the bell. It should have fresh water and be off limits to guests, especially children. Tell everyone at the start of the evening that the animal is not to be disturbed there.
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For dogs
- Water and a comfortable bed.
- A room or kennel with a door that stays closed.
- Optional occupation, such as a puzzle ball or chew toy. The ASPCA suggests these to keep a dog busy during breaks from visitors.
- Other options Cornell mentions include long-lasting treats, a sound machine, or a silicone lick mat.
These are examples, not guaranteed calming tools. Use what suits your individual dog and watch how it responds.
For cats
- A spare bedroom with water and a litter box.
- Alternatively, a preferred hiding spot the cat already uses.
Cats are often happiest with a room where guests will not wander in, so check that the door closes properly and the space is free of hazards before the party.
Give guests clear food rules
Tell guests before they arrive not to feed your pet. Even food that seems harmless to people can contain unsafe ingredients or be too rich for an individual animal, so the simplest rule is that only the host decides whether the pet gets anything. Keep your pet on its usual diet and avoid table scraps.
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If a guest wants to offer something, give them an alternative. The ASPCA suggests setting out a bowl of safe snacks for that purpose. Cornell recommends treats formulated for dogs rather than people food.
- Ask guests not to share food, drinks, or alcohol with the animal.
- Ask guests to keep their own medications, including pills in purses or coats, out of reach.
- Ask guests to tell you about any food or gift they bring in before it goes into pet-accessible areas.
Secure food, alcohol, trash, and medication
Most holiday poisonings involve food that was left within reach, so the practical job is to make everything inaccessible, not just tidy. Cornell lists the following hazards for dogs:
| Hazard (dogs, per Cornell) | Notes from the source |
|---|---|
| Chocolate, coffee, caffeine | Listed as hazards for dogs |
| Grapes and raisins | Listed as hazards for dogs |
| Xylitol | Listed as a hazard for dogs |
| Onions and garlic | Listed as hazards for dogs |
| Fatty foods, bones, raw meat, salty snacks | Listed as hazards for dogs; the ASPCA also warns against fatty, sweet, or spicy foods and turkey or chicken bones |
| Corn cobs, yeast dough, macadamia nuts | Listed as hazards for dogs |
| Alcohol | Listed as a hazard for dogs |
This list is specific to dogs. The source does not establish that it is complete for cats, rabbits, birds, or other animals, so do not treat it as a full checklist for your pet. Ask your veterinarian about the foods relevant to your species.
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- Clear plates and cups as soon as guests finish.
- Keep trash in a closed container or a room the pet cannot access.
- Store medications, including guests’ prescriptions, in a closed bag or room.
- Keep the pet’s door closed so it cannot slip out during the rush of arrivals and departures.
Check decorations, gifts, and flowers
Decorations and incoming items create a different category of risk: ingestion, injury, burns, and poisoning. The ASPCA recommends securing wires, batteries, glass or plastic ornaments, candles, trash, and medication. It also advises against tinsel. Cornell adds salt-dough ornaments, tree water, pine needles, and snow globes to its dog guidance.
Plants vary in risk. The ASPCA’s notes on common holiday plants are:
| Plant | ASPCA guidance |
|---|---|
| Lilies | Can cause kidney failure in cats |
| Mistletoe and holly | Listed as potential causes of gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems (the summary does not separate this by species) |
| Poinsettias | Can cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal irritation |
Do not assume that a plant’s severity is the same for every species or product. Secure flowers and greenery away from pets, and check species-specific plant guidance before you bring anything into the house. Gifts that are wrapped food or contain small parts should go out of reach until they are opened and put away.
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The ASPCA’s attributed guidance on this theme comes from Dr. Tina Wismer, medical director at the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, in a 2013 release: “We associate the holidays with happiness and joy, but pet owners need to be aware of customs that could pose dangers to their animals.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Plan for an emergency before guests arrive
Preparation matters more than speed. Before the party, write down the numbers you would need and make sure everyone in the house knows where they are.
- Save your veterinarian’s phone number and clinic hours.
- Find the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital and save its address and number.
- Save the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control number, (888) 426-4435.
- If you suspect your pet has eaten or touched something harmful, call a veterinarian or poison-control service right away. Do not delay while trying home remedies.
If you are unsure whether something is dangerous, call anyway. Give the product name or food, the approximate amount, and your pet’s species, age, and weight if you have them.
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During the party
- Check the retreat every so often, and make sure the water bowl is full.
- Watch for signs your pet wants space and allow it to stay separated if it does.
- Keep guests out of the retreat, and remind children that the animal’s room is off limits.
- Do not let anyone offer food or alcohol, even when the pet seems interested.
Adjust as needed. If your pet is calm and enjoys a short visit, you can allow a brief introduction in a controlled space. If it becomes stressed, return it to the retreat without fuss.
For sources and dates, the guidance above draws on ASPCA publications, including “Holiday Safety Tips” (current page), “Hosting Holiday Guests? Keep Your Pets Happy and Healthy Around Visitors” (December 2016), and “ASPCA Offers Pet Safety Tips for the Holiday Season” (November 2013), along with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s “Holiday hazards for dogs” (updated December 2024).
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