Christmas Dangers for Dogs: 10 Holiday Hazards and How to Avoid Them

The biggest Christmas dangers for dogs aren't the obvious ones. A wobbly tree, a strand of tinsel, a chewed light cord, a dropped snow globe or a nibbled holiday plant can turn a cozy evening into an emergency vet visit. The good news: most of these hazards are easy to manage once you know where to look. This guide walks through the main ones room by room, with a quick checklist you can run through before the decorations go up.

One note before we start: this is general guidance, not veterinary advice. If your dog eats something worrying or seems unwell, call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away (numbers are below).

Christmas dangers for dogs at a glance

Hazard	Why it's a risk	Simple fix
Unsecured tree	Can tip over onto a curious or excited dog	Sturdy stand; anchor the top to a wall or ceiling hook
Tree stand water	Can grow bacteria; additives may be harmful	Cover the stand; use plain water only
Pine needles	Can irritate the mouth and stomach; can cause blockages	Sweep daily; block access to the tree skirt
Tinsel, ribbon, garland	Can tangle in the intestines and may need surgery	Skip tinsel; pick up ribbon as gifts are opened
Glass and salt-dough ornaments	Cuts, choking, or salt poisoning	Hang fragile and edible-looking ornaments up high
Light cords	Chewing can cause electrical burns or shocks	Cord covers; unplug when you're out
Batteries	Chewed batteries can burn the mouth and throat	Store spares and remotes out of reach
Candles	Burns and fire risk if knocked over	Flameless candles, or never leave lit candles alone
Snow globes	Some contain antifreeze (ethylene glycol), which is highly toxic	Display high up; clean breakage immediately
Holiday plants	Range from mildly irritating to dangerous	Know which is which (see below)

The Christmas tree

Keep it upright

A big dog's wagging tail or a puppy pulling on a low branch can bring a whole tree down. The ASPCA recommends making sure your tree is tightly secured so there's no chance it tips over onto a pet. A heavy, wide stand helps, and tying the top of the tree to a small hook in the wall or ceiling with fishing line is a cheap extra layer of insurance.

Cover the water

To a dog, the tree stand looks like a bonus water bowl. The ASPCA calls stagnant tree water "a breeding ground for bacteria," and Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center notes it may contain bacteria or chemicals that could make your dog ill. Penn State Extension suggests using only fresh water, without additives. A tree skirt that tucks tightly around the stand, or a stand with a covered reservoir, keeps noses out.

Watch the needles

Cornell says pine needles can irritate the mouth and cause vomiting or diarrhea, and in some cases intestinal blockage. Artificial trees aren't automatically safe either: PetMD notes that chewed pieces of real or artificial trees can upset a dog's stomach. Sweep or vacuum fallen needles daily, and consider a small pet gate or playpen around the tree for puppies and determined chewers.

Ornaments, tinsel and ribbon

Tinsel and ribbon: the sneaky one

Long, stringy things are one of the more serious holiday risks. Vets call them "linear foreign bodies" because they can bunch up the intestines as they move through. The ASPCA warns that swallowed tinsel can cause severe vomiting, a blocked digestive tract and dehydration, and could even require surgery. The FDA says tinsel and ribbon can cause serious stomach and intestinal damage, and recommends collecting all ribbons and string after gifts are opened. The easiest fix is to skip tinsel entirely and keep a trash bag handy on Christmas morning.

Glass and breakable ornaments

Cornell points out that broken ornaments can cause mouth, throat or intestinal injuries, or even choking. Hang glass and delicate ornaments on the top half of the tree, and use shatterproof ones near the bottom where tails and noses reach.

Salt-dough and edible ornaments

Homemade salt-dough ornaments are a classic family craft, but they can be dangerous for dogs. The FDA notes that a 10-pound pet can get sick from as little as half a teaspoon of table salt, and both Cornell and the ASPCA warn that salt-dough ornaments can cause life-threatening electrolyte problems, even once they're dry. The same goes for popcorn strings, candy canes and chocolate ornaments, which smell like food. Keep anything edible, or anything that looks edible, well out of reach. (For more on what dogs shouldn't eat at holiday meals, see our guide to Thanksgiving foods dogs can't eat; most of it applies at Christmas too.)

Lights, cords, batteries and candles

• Light cords: Cornell warns chewed cords can cause electrical burns or even electrocution. Run cords along walls, use cord protectors, and unplug lights when you're out or asleep.
• Batteries: New toys and gadgets mean loose batteries everywhere. The ASPCA and Cornell both note that chewed or punctured batteries can cause burns to the mouth and throat. Keep spares in a drawer and watch remotes left on low tables.
• Candles: A lit candle at tail height is a burn and fire risk. Flameless LED candles give the same glow with none of the worry.

Snow globes

This is the one most people don't know about. Both the ASPCA and Cornell say some snow globes are made with ethylene glycol (antifreeze), which is highly toxic, and the ASPCA notes its sweet smell can attract pets. Display snow globes on high shelves, and if one breaks, keep your dog out of the room while you clean up every drop. If you think your dog licked any of the liquid, call your vet or a poison hotline immediately.

Holiday plants: which ones to worry about

Holiday plants range from "might cause an upset stomach" to "keep it out of the house." Here's how the sources describe them:

• Poinsettia: Less dangerous than its reputation. The ASPCA describes mild to moderate stomach irritation, and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine calls the idea that poinsettias are lethal a common misconception. Still worth keeping out of reach to avoid drooling, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Holly: Cornell says it isn't highly toxic but can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and a reduced appetite.
• Mistletoe: More concerning. Cornell notes large amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, heart problems and low blood pressure, and PetMD says European mistletoe is a bigger concern than American. Hang it high, and pick up any fallen berries.
• Amaryllis: PetMD (written with the Pet Poison Helpline vet team) says dogs can be affected by the petals, leaves and especially the bulb, with signs that can include vomiting, abnormal heart rate and tremors. Gift bulbs should stay well out of reach.
• Lilies: Lilies are best known as extremely dangerous for cats (the ASPCA notes they can cause kidney failure in cats), and Cornell lists them among holiday plants to keep away from dogs too. If you have a cat, keep lilies out of the house entirely.
• Christmas cactus: Penn State Extension, citing the ASPCA, lists it as non-toxic, though eating any plant can still upset a dog's stomach.

Not sure about a plant? The ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant list is searchable by name.

Pre-decorating safety checklist

• ☐ Tree in a heavy stand and anchored at the top
• ☐ Tree water covered; plain water only, no additives
• ☐ No tinsel; ribbon and string go straight in the trash
• ☐ Glass, salt-dough and edible ornaments on the top half of the tree
• ☐ Cords taped down or covered; lights unplugged when nobody's home
• ☐ Batteries, snow globes and candles out of reach (or swapped for flameless)
• ☐ Mistletoe, amaryllis and lilies out of reach or out of the house
• ☐ Gifts with food inside (chocolate, nuts, candy) kept off the floor until opened
• ☐ Vet's number and a pet poison hotline saved in your phone
• ☐ A quiet room or crate ready for your dog during busy gatherings

Keep the festive part, lose the risk

Your dog can still be part of the celebration. A dog-safe chew toy under the tree, a calm walk before guests arrive, and a festive outfit for photos let them join in without getting into the decorations. If you'd like your dog to dress up for the holiday card, a soft hat like our Holiday Tree & Reindeer Dog Hat works well for a few minutes of photos. Check our size guide first, keep sessions short and supervised, and take it off when the photos are done. Our dog holiday card photo ideas post has tips for getting the shot quickly.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if my dog eats tinsel or ribbon?

Call your vet right away, even if your dog seems fine. Don't pull on any string you can see coming from your dog's mouth or rear end, and don't try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to. Stringy objects can cause serious intestinal damage, so this is one to let a professional handle.

Are poinsettias poisonous to dogs?

They're mildly toxic. Sources including the ASPCA and the University of Illinois describe drooling, vomiting or diarrhea rather than life-threatening poisoning. It's still best to keep them out of reach, and to call your vet if symptoms don't settle quickly.

Is a real or artificial Christmas tree safer for dogs?

Each has trade-offs. Real trees bring needles and stand water; artificial trees can shed pieces that a chewer might swallow. Whichever you choose, the big safety wins are the same: secure the tree, block access to the base, and keep tempting ornaments up high.

Who do I call in a pet poison emergency?

Your own vet or the nearest emergency vet first. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661, both open 24/7; a consultation fee may apply. Have the product or plant name handy when you call.

Looking for safe gift ideas to put under the tree instead? See our Christmas gifts for dogs under $25.