As families and friends come together to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, it’s crucial for pet parents to be aware of the potential dangers the holiday can pose to their pets. From toxic festive foods to other decorating hazards, there are several risks to consider if you’re hosting. To help ensure a safe, sweet, and stress-free celebration for everyone, here’s a guide on keeping your pets safe this Rosh Hashanah.
Food
If you are hosting, remind all guests not to share food with your pets without permission and to keep all bags and purses out of your pet’s reach – especially if anyone tends to carry toxins like xylitol gum or chocolates!
Many traditional Rosh Hashanah foods are also dangerous to pets, including:
- Challah
- Keep your pets out of the kitchen as you make homemade challah. Unbaked yeast dough and raisins are both extremely toxic to pets.
- Alliums
- All alliums, such as onions, garlic, leeks, and chives, are toxic to pets. They can destroy your pet’s red blood cells which can cause life-threatening anemia.
- Fish Heads
- Whether your family eats the fish head or just uses it as display, we don’t recommend giving it to your pet – especially if they’re never consumed fish before. Also, don’t give your pet any fish bones. If your family chooses to dispose of the fish head, be sure to take out the trash so your curious pet won’t dig it out!
- Pomegranates & Pitted Dates
- Pomegranate seeds and fruit pits can be a choking hazard to pets. Fruit pits may also cause an obstruction – which often requires surgery to remove.
- Honey
- A lick of honey likely won’t harm your pet, but a large amount or even a honeycakes contain a lot of sugar and may lead to pancreatitis.
- Grapes
- Whether for eating or for your fruit display, grapes are toxic to pets and can cause kidney failure.
- Apples
- While apples are non-toxic, apple cores or seeds can pose hazards to your pets. If you really want to share though, a small amount of sliced apples is a safe Rosh Hashanah treat!
Decorations
Many table decorations may be hazardous to your pets, including:
- Candles. When lit, candles should always be kept out of the reach of your pet and supervised closely to avoid curious pets causing fire hazards.
- Flowers. If you choose to decorate with a festive floral arrangement, avoid using toxic plants like lilies, tulips, or autumn crocus. Use ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Guide to help you choose safe, non-toxic floral selections!
- String-like Materials. Embellishing your table decor or gifts with tinsel, ribbon, or string? Keep them away from your pets, especially curious kitties, to prevent your pet from swallowing the string-like material which can lead to choking or intestinal blockages.
- Glass decorations. Any glass items like special serving ware or a pomegranate ornament can easily get knocked over and break – be especially careful if you have a cat who likes to jump up on your dining table! Any broken glass and sharp shards should be thoroughly cleaned up to prevent any injuries to your pets and other humans!
Pets with Anxiety
Large gatherings in your home may be overwhelming for your pet, and the sudden, loud sound of a shofar may be startling for your pet. During your celebration, it may be best to keep your pet in a calm space – such as a closed off room with white noise, toys, or special treat to reduce stress or anxiety.
We hope these tips help keep your pets safe this Rosh Hashanah so you can enjoy this time of celebration, reflection, and togetherness. If your pet does require veterinary care and your family veterinarian is unavailable, our Oakdale and St. Paul ERs are open 24/7, while our Oakdale Urgent Care is open 2PM – 10PM every day of the week. Please call us at (651) 501-3766 before your arrival so our staff can direct you to the best facility for your pet’s medical needs.