Our emergency veterinary team has seen it all—from trauma, to rare diseases, to everything in between. Although pet emergencies occur year-round, the Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center team often sees an uptick in certain case types around the holidays. We want pet owners to understand when and why holiday pet emergencies occur, so they can take steps to avoid dangerous situations. Here is our guide to common holiday pet emergencies.

#1: Sam the schnauzer gets pancreatitis from eating fatty foods

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the pancreas, which is responsible for producing digestive enzymes. If the enzymes are activated before they are released from the pancreas, they damage the pancreas from the inside out. Toxic chemicals from this damage may circulate through the body and cause distant organ damage or death in severe cases. A sudden fatty food influx in a pet whose normal diet is low or moderate in fats diet can set off pancreatitis.

#2: Penelope the poodle vomits and has seizures after eating chocolate

Chocolate, which abounds during the holidays, contains toxic compounds called methylxanthines that overstimulate a pet’s nervous system. Signs range from minor stomach upset to seizures, heart problems, or death. The more chocolate a pet eats and the more concentrated, the worse their signs. Other toxic holiday foods include raisins, garlic, onions, and xylitol.

#3: Dalia the domestic shorthair cat goes into kidney failure after chewing on a lily flower

Many lily species can cause severe and rapid kidney failure in cats in only small amounts, including a few pollen grains. Although treatment may help, lily ingestion can be deadly or cause long-term kidney damage in cats. Other toxic holiday plants include holly and mistletoe.

#4: Princess the Persian vomits profusely after playing with tinsel

Tinsel is notorious for causing linear foreign bodies in cats’ intestines. Cats find the shiny surface irresistible and will often play with or chew on tinsel garlands. Accidentally swallowing pieces of tinsel or other linear objects, such as ribbons, can bunch up the intestines and prevent normal function. In dogs, cooked bones commonly become an intestinal foreign body that requires emergency surgery.

#5: Lance the Labrador cuts his paw on a broken ornament

Glass ornaments can easily fall off and break if a pet brushes against them on the tree, or if a climbing cat knocks the tree over entirely. Paw lacerations can sometimes be sutured, but they require frequent bandage changes because of the location and can take a long time to heal. Other dangerous holiday decor items include candles and items with electrical cords, which can cause burns or house fires. 

#6: Coolio the stressed cat develops a urinary blockage

The holidays often induce stress in pets who dislike changes in their routine or interacting with strangers in their homes. In cats, emotional stress can easily transform into a physical problem. Upper respiratory and eye infections and urinary issues, such as an inflamed bladder, are common. In the worst-case scenario, a stressed male cat could develop urinary tract inflammation and subsequent urethral blockage, an emergency situation.

Steps to prevent a holiday pet emergency

The following steps can help avoid an urgent holiday veterinary visit:

  • Keep all food and baked goods stored tightly in sealed containers and away from counter edges. Do not share food with pets intentionally.
  • Ban pets from the kitchen and dining areas while you are cooking or eating a holiday meal.
  • Take trash to the outside bins immediately after meal clean-up is complete.
  • Decorate with silk or plastic plants instead of the real thing.
  • Secure the Christmas tree to something sturdy, use a pet pen to limit pet access, and keep shatter-proof ornaments only on the tree’s top half.
  • Cover cords with protectors or hide them behind furniture.
  • Use flameless candles.
  • Don’t use tinsel or ribbon if you have a cat in the house.
  • Provide pets with a safe, stress-free retreat during holiday gatherings.
  • Consider pre-emptive anxiety medications in cats with a history of stress-related illness.

The Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center is open 24/7 to handle your pet’s urgent and emergency veterinary care needs. If your pet suffers from poisoning, please first contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline. For all other emergencies, contact us before leaving or while en route, so we can prepare for your arrival. For specialty follow-up visits, schedule a visit with the appropriate service or team.