The holiday season brings joy and celebration, but it also comes with hidden dangers for our pets. While many pet parents are careful with holiday decorations and foods, one often overlooked risk is gift-giving! From gift wrap materials and ribbons to edible presents, these common holiday items can pose serious threats to pets. Before you dive into wrapping presents and cranking up your favorite holiday tunes, keep these important safety tips in mind for your pets.
Potential Gift Wrap Hazards:
- Wrapping Paper & Bows: These can upset your pet’s stomach or lead to a dangerous foreign body if ingested. Small pieces of paper also pose choking hazards or may obstruct your pet’s airway.
- Ribbon, Tinsel, & String: These festive items can cause serious intestinal blockages requiring emergency surgery. This is especially common for our feline friends!
- Foil & Plastic Wrap: While shiny and tempting to pets, foil’s sharp edges can puncture your pet’s digestive system if eaten, and plastic wrap can lead to choking or gastrointestinal blockages.
- Evergreens & Plastic Berries: Holiday plants like yew, holly, and mistletoe are toxic to pets, so skip adding them to your gift wrap design. We know they look pretty, but plastic berries can become choking hazards or cause blockages if your pet chews them off and swallows them.
- Plastic Shopping Bags: If a pet’s head gets stuck in a plastic bag while playing, it can cause suffocation. Also, chewed pieces of a plastic bag can become a choking hazard or lead to intestinal issues. Always dispose of bags securely after taking your items out and keep them out of your pet’s reach.
Prevention Tips:
- Always supervise your pets when wrapping materials presents. Even better, wrap gifts in a pet-free zone to avoid mishaps!
- Store gift wrap supplies securely in a bin, closet, or craft room that your pet can’t access. Clean up promptly after wrapping and keep finished gifts in a room that’s off-limits to your pet.
- Avoid placing food gifts under the tree or in stockings unless you’re able to monitor them. This helps prevent your pet from sneaking into a box of chocolates, jar of mixed nuts, pack of gum, or oranges. For added safety, skip edible decorations like candy canes or popcorn garlands on your tree.
If your pet gets into gift wrapping supplies or a gift containing food or toxins, call our Contact Center at (651) 501-3766 for guidance on what to do next. Timing is critical, especially if your pet has ingested something hazardous. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear—call us immediately!
More Reading:
- Common Christmas Pet Dangers
- Christmas Tree Safety for Pets
- 4 Potential Kwanzaa Pet Dangers
- Top 7 Hanukkah Pet Dangers
- Holiday Cheer or Pet Fear?
- 10 Common Winter Pet Hazards
