The holiday season fills homes with sparkling lights, delicious aromas, and cozy gatherings. While we enjoy every festive detail, our furry family members often find this time of year a bit more complicated. Shiny ornaments, rich foods, and chilly winter air can all pose risks to their safety and health. Family Pet Hospital is here to help you keep your pets happy, healthy, and safe throughout the celebrations ahead.

1. Hidden Dangers in Holiday Decorations

Twinkling lights, tinsel, and ribbons might make your home feel magical — but they’re also irresistible temptations for curious pets. Cats love to bat at dangling ornaments, and dogs may chew on electrical cords or swallow small objects that can lead to choking or intestinal blockages.

Simple safety tips:

• Keep electrical cords out of reach and use protective covers.
• Avoid tinsel and fragile glass ornaments.
• Place candles where pets can’t knock them over.

For more seasonal safety guidelines, review holiday safety for pets from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

2. Festive Foods That Can Harm Pets

Holiday meals are full of rich flavors and tempting scents. Unfortunately, many festive foods are dangerous for pets. Chocolate, raisins, onions, xylitol-sweetened desserts, and alcohol can cause severe health issues. Even fatty meats or turkey skin may trigger inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) in dogs, which can become very serious.

Better choices:

• Stick to your pet’s regular diet and provide safe treats made specifically for pets.
• Secure trash cans and remind guests not to share table scraps.

If your pet manages to sneak a bite of something risky, our in-house diagnostic tools and Urgent Care services allow us to quickly evaluate and treat possible toxin exposure or stomach upset.

To see which common holiday foods are unsafe, visit the ASPCA’s list of toxic foods for pets.

3. Cold Weather Precautions

Even Georgia winters can bring chilly mornings and damp evenings. Pets exposed to cold for too long may suffer from frostbite or hypothermia. Short-haired pets, senior dogs and cats, and pets with chronic medical issues are especially vulnerable.

Keep them cozy:

• Limit outdoor time on cold days and provide warm bedding indoors.
• Dry your pet’s coat and paws after walks, especially if they’ve been outside in rain or sleet.
• Use a pet-safe sweater or jacket for short-haired breeds or seniors who struggle with the cold.

Regular wellness visits at Family Pet Hospital help ensure your pet is prepared for seasonal changes. Our Wellness & Preventative Care team can help with nutrition, weight management, and vaccines to support your pet’s immune system heading into cooler months.

For general guidance on keeping pets warm and safe in cold weather, you can also review these winter pet safety tips from the Humane Society of the United States.

4. Stress and Routine Changes

The excitement of visitors, loud gatherings, travel plans, and schedule changes can feel overwhelming for many pets. Stress may show up as pacing, hiding, barking more than usual, excessive grooming, or even stomach issues. Creating a quiet, comfortable space away from the noise can go a long way. Offer familiar bedding, water, and a favorite toy so they can decompress.

If you’re planning to travel or host a full house, consider safe boarding instead of leaving your pet in a busy environment where supervision may be inconsistent. Family Pet Hospital provides veterinarian-supervised Pet Boarding in Woodstock with comfortable accommodations, regular monitoring, and individual attention. We happily welcome pets from nearby communities like Kennesaw, Alpharetta, Holly Springs, and Acworth.

Because the holiday season books quickly, reserving a boarding spot early can help reduce last-minute stress for you and your pet.

5. When to Seek Professional Help

Sometimes, even with careful planning, pets still get into holiday trouble. Please contact us immediately if you notice sudden vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, trouble breathing, tremors, or refusal to eat. Those symptoms can point to an emergency and should not wait.

Family Pet Hospital offers rapid care through our Urgent Care services in Woodstock. With on-site diagnostics and an experienced medical team, we can evaluate possible poisoning, foreign body ingestion, or injury and begin treatment quickly for pets from Woodstock, Marietta, Roswell, Canton, and the surrounding areas.

With a little preparation, you can enjoy a worry-free holiday season while keeping your pets healthy and comfortable. By practicing prevention, keeping up with routine Wellness & Preventative Care, planning ahead for travel with trusted Pet Boarding, and knowing where to go for Urgent Care, you’re helping make the holidays safer for every member of the family — four-legged and two-legged.

If you have concerns or need to schedule an appointment, reach out to Family Pet Hospital in Woodstock. We’re proud to care for dogs and cats throughout Woodstock, Marietta, Roswell, Canton, Kennesaw, Alpharetta, Holly Springs, Acworth, and nearby North Georgia communities.