Christmas Dangers for Pets: Toxic Foods, Plants and Decorations to Watch For

Short answer: The main Christmas dangers for pets are chocolate, grapes and dried fruit (mince pies, Christmas pudding and cake), xylitol-sweetened sweets (a dog risk), onion and garlic in stuffing and gravy, cooked bones, and lilies, which can be fatal to cats.

Tinsel, ribbon, batteries and fairy-light cables cause blockages, burns and shocks, and rabbits are keen cable-chewers. Pet birds are at risk from the fumes of overheated non-stick pans.

If your pet eats something it shouldn't, call your vet straight away and don't wait for symptoms. Can't reach a vet? Animal PoisonLine (01202 509 000) runs 24 hours a day and charges a fee.

Your dog has almost certainly learned what a chocolate wrapper sounds like. The cat inspects every plant that comes through the front door. A house rabbit will find the one cable you forgot to tuck away, and the budgie's cage may sit nearer the kitchen than is ideal on a day when the oven runs for six hours.

Christmas puts all of it in one room.

Vets see the results every year. In a British Veterinary Association (BVA) survey covering the 2021/2022 festive period, four in five companion-animal vets saw at least one case of a pet eating something toxic. Most Christmas hazards for pets are easy to manage once you know which ones matter for which animal.

This guide brings together festive-hazard advice from PDSA, the RSPCA, Cats Protection and the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), checked against the BVA's survey of vets and the MSD Veterinary Manual for bird-specific risks. Where that advice only covers certain species, we say so and don't assume a risk applies to every pet.

Christmas dangers for pets at a glance

Not every hazard affects every species the same way. Xylitol is a dog problem. Lilies can be fatal to cats, and non-stick pan fumes matter most if you keep a bird. Here's how the main risks line up.

"No species guidance" means none of the UK charities or veterinary references named in this guide cover that hazard for that animal. Treat it as a reason for caution. It is never a sign that something is safe.

Sources for the table: PDSA, RSPCA, Cats Protection, RWAF and the MSD Veterinary Manual.

What to do if your pet eats something it shouldn't

If it's happening right now, work through these steps in order:

1. Move your pet away and keep the packaging, wrapper or a piece of the plant. PDSA advises keeping the packaging so your vet can see exactly what was eaten.

2. Call your own vet straight away, even if your pet seems fine. PDSA's advice is "don't wait for symptoms to appear", and the RSPCA is blunter: "Never 'watch and wait' in any case of suspected poisoning." Some poisons take hours to show any effect.

3. Don't try to make your pet sick. PDSA and the RSPCA both warn against it, so leave treatment to the vet.

4. If you can't reach your vet, phone Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000. It's run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) and open 24 hours a day, and its vets and scientists will tell you whether your pet needs to be seen.

5. If your pet collapses, has a fit or is struggling to breathe, get to a vet immediately. Animal PoisonLine's own advice for those signs is to "seek immediate veterinary attention".

Animal PoisonLine charges per call: £35 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and £45 at all other times, including bank holidays (fees as of October 2026). Christmas Day and Boxing Day both fall in the higher band. The line only handles poisoning. We'd always try your own vet first, since they know your pet's history.

Check your vet's Christmas cover now: The BVA advises checking "your vet's emergency cover provision and holiday opening hours" before the break, and using the RCVS "Find a Vet" facility if you'll be away from home. PDSA's vets also say to keep your out-of-hours number handy, so save it in your phone today.

Don't go hunting online for a "safe amount" of chocolate or raisins, either. PDSA says the toxic dose of grapes and dried fruit varies from dog to dog and "in some cases, can be very small". There's no reliable number to look up at 11pm on Christmas Eve.

Toxic Christmas foods for dogs, cats and small pets

Dogs are the usual suspects. A selection box under the tree sits at nose height, and a dog doesn't need to see a chocolate to find it. Small pets get their own section further down.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine, which PDSA describes as "perfectly safe for humans, but toxic for dogs, cats and rabbits". The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it's likely to be.

In December it's everywhere: selection boxes, tins on the coffee table, chocolate coins and decorations hanging at tail height on the tree. In the same BVA survey, 76% of vets saw cases of chocolate poisoning over the festive period.

In dogs, PDSA lists signs that can include:

• excitement, restlessness, agitation and hyperactivity

• vomiting

• diarrhoea

• drinking and weeing more than usual

• tummy pain

These "usually appear within two to four hours but can take up to 12 hours". That delay is exactly why waiting to see is the wrong call.

Mince pies, Christmas pudding and anything with dried fruit

PDSA says grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants are "all potentially poisonous to dogs", and that these poisonings are most common around festive times. Nobody yet knows how the fruits cause harm. A severely poisoned dog may develop kidney failure "over the following 1-3 days".

Mince pies, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake and stollen are all packed with dried fruit, and so is the jar of mincemeat in the cupboard. One mince pie snatched off the coffee table is reason enough to call your vet.

Cats aren't exempt. The RSPCA's advice is not to let cats or dogs eat any grapes or dried fruit, because they're poisonous.

Xylitol in sweets and baking

Xylitol is a sweetener found in some sugar-free sweets, chewing gum and baking. It's dangerous for dogs. The MSD Veterinary Manual says "Dogs are the only domestic species in which xylitol toxicosis has been reported", and that cats aren't at risk of the low blood sugar or liver injury it causes.

A common Christmas route is a guest's handbag left on the floor with sugar-free gum inside. The RSPCA says never to feed pets anything containing xylitol, so check the label on any sugar-free treats.

Onions, garlic, gravy and stuffing

PDSA's vets say onions, garlic, leeks and shallots "are all toxic to dogs", and that gravy, stuffing and bread sauce "usually contain ingredients toxic to dogs".

PDSA's general Christmas advice adds that onions and garlic can cause severe anaemia (low red blood cells) in pets if eaten in high enough amounts. Leftover gravy poured over a dog's dinner is an easy way for it to happen.

Cooked bones and fatty leftovers

"Bones are a choking hazard and can lead to a gut blockage," according to PDSA, and the BVA lists cooked bones, turkey bones included, among festive hazards. Pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and cheese sauces are a different problem: PDSA says they're too high in calories and fat and can upset a dog's stomach.

The turkey carcass is the big one. Take it straight out to a lidded outdoor bin, since a determined dog will get into a kitchen bin bag overnight.

Alcohol

PDSA is direct: "Alcohol is toxic to pets." A half-finished glass on a low table at a party is easy for a dog to reach, and boozy trifle counts too.

What dogs can have from the Christmas dinner

Your dog can share a little of the meal, as long as it's plain. PDSA lists these as fine for dogs in small amounts:

• white turkey meat, with no bones

• carrot and swede mash, without butter or onion

• plain carrots and parsnips

• green beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and peas

• cauliflower

PDSA also suggests reducing their food allowance for the rest of the day. This list is for dogs only. For cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds, stick to their normal diet on Christmas Day.

Christmas plants that are poisonous to cats, and other pets

Plants are a common route to a Christmas vet visit for cats. In the same BVA survey, 18% of vets saw cats poisoned by seasonal plants such as holly or mistletoe.

Lilies: the most serious risk for cats

Cats Protection describes lilies as "highly toxic to cats", and the danger doesn't stop at a cat chewing a leaf. A cat that brushes past a lily and then grooms the pollen off its fur can suffer acute kidney failure.

Every part of the plant counts: the leaves, the stem, the flowers, the pollen "and even the water left in the bottom of the vase".

Lilies and cats: Lilies can be fatal to cats. If you think your cat has touched, licked or eaten any part of a lily, including pollen on its fur, Cats Protection's advice is to "seek veterinary advice immediately". Don't wait for signs of illness.

Lilies turn up in a lot of Christmas bouquets. If you have a cat, tell visitors before they arrive and check any flower delivery before it comes into the house; Cats Protection's own advice is not to buy lilies as gifts. The RSPCA warns that lilies are toxic to dogs as well, so they're best kept out of any home with pets.

Poinsettia

Poinsettia has a scarier reputation than it deserves. If eaten, the RSPCA says it can cause "irritation of the mouth, excess salivation and vomiting". For rabbits, the RWAF says its toxicity "has been overstated in the past", with stomach upset the main concern. Keep it out of reach, but there's no need to panic over it.

Holly, mistletoe and ivy

The RSPCA says holly berries can cause vomiting or diarrhoea, and the spiky leaves can irritate a pet's skin. Mistletoe is "of low toxicity" in the UK, though the berries can still cause tummy problems.

PDSA groups poinsettia, mistletoe, holly and ivy together as plants that can make your pet poorly. Hang wreaths and sprigs high, and sweep up fallen berries.

The tree, decorations and fairy lights

Real and artificial trees

Real-tree needles aren't toxic, according to PDSA, but they "can still cause serious harm", especially if your pet swallows them or gets them in its eyes. Don't add chemicals, fertilisers or preservatives to the tree water, PDSA says.

See a vet: Contact your vet straight away if your pet may have eaten any liquid or oils from the branches.

A heavy base, or tying the tree to a wall hook, stops a climbing cat or a boisterous dog from pulling it over. Sweep up dropped needles daily. Artificial trees avoid the needle problem, though whatever hangs on them carries the same risks. Rabbits need a different answer, covered in the rabbit section.

Tinsel, baubles and edible decorations

PDSA's view of tinsel is clear: "Although tinsel is not poisonous, it's a choking hazard and can cause serious injury or death if swallowed." Cats love batting at tinsel and ribbon on the lower branches. Baubles are generally low toxicity to dogs, PDSA says, but a swallowed one can get stuck and cause an obstruction.

Edible decorations are the easy fix. PDSA says chocolate tree decorations "should be avoided entirely in homes with pets".

If you keep fish, keep tinsel and small decorations well away from the tank.

Fairy lights and cables

The RSPCA warns that pets may chew Christmas light cables, and PDSA flags the risk of electric shocks, particularly from higher-voltage lights. Unplug the lights when you go out or go to bed. Route cables behind furniture or along the skirting board so nothing dangles at chewing height.

Keep lit candles well out of reach of curious cats and wagging tails too; for pet birds, candles carry an extra risk, covered below.

Presents, wrapping and batteries

Gather wrapping up as you go on Christmas morning. According to PDSA, "Sticky tape, bows, ribbons or string used on wrapped presents can cause a hazard to our pets if swallowed."

Batteries are more serious. The RSPCA describes them as "A hazard if chewed or swallowed, and leaking batteries can cause chemical burns", and PDSA warns that anything battery-operated can cause serious problems if chewed and swallowed. Put spare batteries for new gadgets and toys away as soon as the packet is open.

The little sachets of silica gel in new shoes and electronics are "not toxic", says the RSPCA, but "can cause stomach obstructions". Bin them straight away.

Wrapped chocolates under the tree are still chocolates to a dog, so keep edible gifts off the floor until they're opened.

Rabbits and guinea pigs at Christmas

Indoor rabbits and guinea pigs meet Christmas at floor level: new cables, new plants and dropped food, all at exactly their height. If your rabbits or guinea pigs normally live outside and you're bringing them in for the coldest weeks, our guide to keeping outdoor rabbits and guinea pigs warm in winter covers how to do it safely.

Are Christmas trees safe for rabbits?

The RWAF's answer, from its veterinary adviser Richard Saunders, is no: "we do not recommend allowing access to Christmas Trees for rabbits." Cables are the main reason. Rabbits "are very keen to chew through electrical cables and wires", and "lights on the tree are an especial worry".

The tree itself is a risk too. Eating too many leaves can cause gut problems "which can lead to death", according to the RWAF. Chewing the bark "won't necessarily do rabbits any harm" unless it has been treated with fire retardants, pesticides or paint. The charity adds that pine resin toxicity has been overstated, and that stomach upset from unfamiliar food is the bigger concern.

Pigments from the tree can also turn a rabbit's urine dark or reddish, which can look like bleeding. If you're unsure, a vet can check.

PDSA advises keeping fairy-light wires well away from small pets' enclosures, and the RSPCA says not to put tinsel, decorations or fairy lights around their cage at all. During free-roam time, pen off the tree and any cable runs.

If your rabbit has the run of the living room, a real tree may not be worth the trouble this year. A small tree in a room the rabbit never uses is the simpler option.

What rabbits and guinea pigs shouldn't eat

PDSA names rabbits alongside dogs and cats as animals for which chocolate is toxic. Guinea pigs aren't mentioned specifically, but PDSA's general Christmas advice describes chocolate as toxic to pets, so keep it away from them as well.

Watch the party platter. The MSD Veterinary Manual lists rabbits and guinea pigs among the species susceptible to avocado poisoning, so guacamole needs to stay off the floor.

Grapes are a more nuanced case: the RSPCA says rabbits and guinea pigs can eat very small quantities. That doesn't turn mince pies or fruit cake into festive treats. Their normal diet is the safe choice on Christmas Day, and it helps to ask visitors not to hand out scraps.

Pet birds at Christmas: kitchen fumes, candles and party food

For a budgie, cockatiel or parrot, one of the most serious Christmas risks is in the air.

Non-stick pans and PTFE fumes

The MSD Veterinary Manual, a professional veterinary reference, says polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) gas poisoning "occurs commonly in pet birds housed in or near kitchens". The gas is released from certain types of non-stick cookware when the pans are overheated. Irons, ironing-board covers and some self-cleaning ovens are other sources, which matters if the oven is getting its pre-Christmas clean.

Warning for bird owners: PTFE fumes can kill pet birds, often with no warning signs. The MSD Veterinary Manual says "Often, the only clinical sign of PTFE gas poisoning is acute death." Prevention is the only protection you have.

Christmas Day is the classic setup. The oven runs for hours, every ring on the hob is busy, and a pan of sprouts can boil dry while everyone's opening presents. On heavy cooking days:

• Move your bird to a well-ventilated room as far from the kitchen as possible.

• Keep the doors between closed.

• Don't run an oven's self-clean cycle with birds in the house.

Candles, air fresheners and smoke

MSD also says "perfumes, deodorizers, votive candles, and new heating duct systems may also be irritating or toxic to caged birds". Scented candles, plug-in fresheners and festive room sprays belong in rooms your bird doesn't use. Passive tobacco smoke causes chronic breathing and skin problems in birds, MSD adds, so ask guests who smoke to do it outside.

Party food and flying time

Avocado is the clearest food risk. MSD says "Caged birds seem more susceptible to the effects of avocado", and that heart damage "can be extensive, especially in birds". Serve the guacamole well away from the cage.

Chocolate is best kept away from birds too. The MSD Veterinary Manual notes that chocolate poisoning is most common in dogs, "although many species are susceptible".

With guests arriving and doors opening, save flying time for the quieter parts of the day.

Visitors, noise and a changed routine

Pets notice when the household's rhythm changes. A few steps help:

• Give your pet a quiet room or corner to retreat to, away from guests and noise.

• Keep feeding and walk times as close to normal as you can.

• Ask visitors not to feed scraps, however hard the dog begs.

• Watch the front door, since guests make it easy for a pet to slip out, and check microchip details are up to date.

If your pet still seems unsettled, our calming aids guide covers when extra help is worth considering, and when ongoing anxiety means a word with your vet. New Year's Eve fireworks follow hard on the heels of Christmas, and our fireworks season guide covers how to prepare.

Other winter hazards: antifreeze and grit

Two winter poisons sit outside the festive list but turn up at the same time of year. Vets in the BVA's Christmas survey reported treating cats for antifreeze poisoning over the festive period too. Wipe up any spills on the drive straight away, and keep containers sealed and out of reach.

Grit on winter walks: The RSPCA warns that rock salt, used to de-ice roads, is "a mixture of salt and grit" and "highly toxic to pets". After walks on gritted pavements, wipe your dog's paws so they can't lick it off.

The bottom line

Most Christmas emergencies start with something left within reach: a selection box under the tree, a mince pie on the coffee table, a bouquet with lilies in it. Put festive food and flowers somewhere high, and give the tree and its cables a proper once-over before the rabbit or the puppy does. If you keep a bird, move it away from the kitchen on cooking days.

And if something does get eaten, ring your vet straight away. Put their holiday number, along with Animal PoisonLine's, into your phone before Christmas Eve.