Squirrel and Foxy share a holiday meal

Starting with Halloween, the fall-winter holiday celebration season yields innumerable hazards to your pet.  As Halloween activities emphasize distribution of candy and chocolate, our pets face toxicity from inappropriate consumption of festive treats.  This potential danger continues into Thanksgiving, through the month of December, and is not exclusive to foods and decorations.  Holiday schedule and environment changes can also be dangerous your pet.
Holiday Foods
Chocolate and Candy- Chocolate (see Chocolate toxicity: a common canine Halloween illness) contains chemical compounds called methylzanthines, including caffeine and theobromine, which have many toxic effects in dogs.  Additionally, the fat and sugar in chocolate and candy can cause serious gastrointestinal abnormalities, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis. 
Fats and Proteins- Holiday foods, including poultry skin, meats, and cheese are high in calories and contain large percentages of fat and protein.  In general, owners often exceed their pet’s caloric demands and energetic requirements for fat and protein by feeding larger than necessary portions. Additionally, the mere interruption of your dog’s consistent consumption of a particular food by feeding holiday foods will increase the likelihood of gastrointestinal abnormalities.
Bones- Cooked bones are harder than raw bones and prone to splintering, causing mechanical irritation to the lining of the stomach and intestines.  Additionally, bones can be ingested in large pieces or quantities that do not easily digest, potentially causing gastrointestinal obstruction.
Holiday Decorations
Candles- Lit candles can cause your pet’s fur to catch fire, leading to life threatening skin burns. Your entire family may be at risk if a pet knocks over a candle causing combustion of flammable household materials.  Scented candles emit appealing aromas and may cause gastrointestinal abnormalities if consumed.
Holiday Plants- There are many plants that are potentially toxic to your pet. A list of toxic and non-toxic plants can be found on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control website. The poinsettia is a traditional holiday plant that, despite general public perception, is only mildly toxic to cats and dogs.  The poinsettia contains a sap which causes local irritation to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract when ingested, potentially causing salivation or vomiting.
Schedule and Environmental Changes
Holidays create situational changes in our lives and cause additional stress for our pets.  Travel plans or the presence of holiday guests may require a pet to be kenneled or confined. If your pet is kept outdoors, ensure their safety from adverse climate by providing appropriate shelter.  Pet owners or guests entering and exiting the home environment increases the likelihood your pet may escape.  Make sure that your pet wears a collar with appropriate identification and is implanted with a microchip to increase likelihood of a prompt return home.
This holiday season, please think ahead and plan for the possibility that your pet may be adversely affected by your festivities. Should your pet show illness or be suspected to have inappropriately consumed holiday foods or decor, please immediately contact your regular or emergency veterinary hospital.

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