The December holidays bring decorations, gifts, and festive activities—but they also introduce unique ingestion hazards for both dogs and cats. Many common holiday items can look like toys to pets, and even small objects can cause big problems when swallowed. Understanding these risks can help keep your furry family members safe throughout the season.

1. Ribbons, Tinsel & String-Like Items

Long, shiny materials such as ribbon, tinsel, yarn, and string attract both cats and dogs, but they’re especially dangerous because they can create what’s known as a linear foreign body. This type of blockage occurs when a pet swallows something long and thin that does not move normally through the digestive tract. Often, one end becomes anchored—under a cat’s tongue or in the stomach—while the rest of the material continues into the intestines. As the intestines attempt to move the trapped material forward, they begin to bunch up in an “accordion-like” pattern.

Because the string cannot advance, each intestinal contraction causes the material to tighten and pull, gradually sawing against the intestinal wall. This pressure can lead to significant inflammation, ulceration, and in severe cases, full-thickness perforations. When the intestine perforates, intestinal contents leak into the abdomen and cause a life-threatening infection called septic peritonitis, which requires emergency surgery and intensive care. Pets with a linear foreign body often develop repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, lethargy, and in some cases, visible string trapped under the tongue. Imaging such as X-rays or an abdominal ultrasound is typically needed for diagnosis, and surgery is almost always required. Early treatment dramatically improves outcomes.

Because these objects do not break down and rarely pass on their own, any suspicion of string ingestion—especially in cats—should be treated as an emergency.

2. Ornaments

Ornaments of all materials—glass, plastic, clay, or wood—can look like toys to pets. Chewing or swallowing them may lead to cuts in the mouth, choking, or intestinal blockage.

Salt dough ornaments add an additional risk because they contain extremely high levels of salt. If a pet eats even a small amount, the sudden rise in sodium causes water to be pulled out of the body’s cells, including the brain. This can lead to vomiting, extreme thirst, confusion, tremors, seizures, or even coma. Treating salt toxicity requires careful monitoring in a veterinary hospital because sodium levels must be lowered slowly to avoid dangerous complications like brain swelling. Any ingestion of salt dough should be treated as a medical emergency.

3. Christmas Lights & Electrical Cords

Pets—especially puppies and kittens—may chew on electrical cords or tug at string lights. Beyond the risk of mouth burns, electrocution can lead to a dangerous complication called noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, or NCPE. This condition occurs when the electrical shock damages the small blood vessels in the lungs, making them “leaky.” As a result, fluid starts to build up inside the lungs, filling the air spaces where oxygen is supposed to move freely.

NCPE doesn’t always happen right away. Some pets may seem fine immediately after the shock but develop breathing problems within a few hours. Signs include rapid or labored breathing, coughing, wheezing, or foamy pink fluid coming from the mouth or nose. Because the lungs fill with fluid instead of air, oxygen levels can drop very quickly, and affected pets may appear anxious, panicked, or weak.

This is a life-threatening emergency. Treatment typically involves oxygen therapy, careful monitoring, and supportive care in the hospital. With prompt treatment, many pets recover, but delays can be fatal. Any suspected electrical injury should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

4. Batteries & Small Electronics

Holiday decorations, toys, light strings, and gift gadgets often rely on small batteries. Button batteries are especially dangerous because they can cause rapid tissue burns and ulceration within minutes of being swallowed. Larger batteries may leak corrosive chemicals or cause blockages. Battery ingestion should always be considered a medical emergency.

5. Gift Packaging & Decorations

Wrapping materials such as plastic packaging, tape, packing peanuts, bows, and tissue paper are fun for pets to play with but risky to ingest. They can cause choking or gastrointestinal obstruction, especially in smaller pets.

6. Potpourri, Essential Oils & Scented Items

Many festive scents come from liquid potpourri, wax warmers, scented oils, or essential-oil diffusers. These products can cause chemical burns, gastrointestinal upset, or toxicity—particularly in cats, who are extremely sensitive to many essential oils. There is also a significant risk of accidental aspiration. Pets may inhale droplets or accidentally draw oil into their lungs after licking it, coughing, or vomiting. Once in the lungs, these oils irritate the tissues and can cause aspiration pneumonia, a serious condition that leads to coughing, labored breathing, fever, and lethargy. This type of pneumonia is often complicated and requires prompt veterinary treatment, which may involve oxygen support and antibiotics. Because these products can cause harm through ingestion, contact, or inhalation, they should always be kept out of reach of pets.

7. Holiday Plants

Decorative plants add to the season but may harm curious pets. Poinsettias typically cause mild stomach upset, while holly can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. Mistletoe has the potential to cause more serious heart or neurologic effects. Christmas tree needles can irritate the stomach or even puncture the intestines, and tree water may contain bacteria or fertilizers that are harmful if ingested.

8. Craft Supplies & Children’s Toys

School breaks and holiday crafting often bring beads, glue sticks, ornaments-in-progress, small toys, and other swallowable objects within reach of pets. Even seemingly harmless items can

cause choking or blockages, and adhesives may cause irritation or mild toxicity if consumed in larger amounts.

Signs of Ingestion Problems

Pet owners should seek veterinary care immediately if their animal shows vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain, drooling, pawing at the mouth, difficulty passing stool, or sudden collapse. Early intervention is especially critical in cases involving string-like materials, batteries, or electrical injuries.

How to Prevent Holiday Ingestions

Keeping decorations, wrapping materials, and small objects out of reach, securing cords, avoiding tinsel in homes with cats, and supervising pets during decorating and gift-opening can significantly reduce holiday ingestion risks. When in doubt, confining pets during high-activity periods or keeping them in pet-safe rooms can prevent accidents.

A Safe & Merry Holiday Season

With a few precautions, you can enjoy a festive December while keeping your pets safe from harmful non-food ingestion hazards. If you ever suspect your pet has swallowed something unusual—even if you’re unsure—it’s always best to contact your veterinary team right away. Quick action can prevent serious medical complications and ensure your pet stays healthy throughout the holidays. As always, we are always here to help and happy to discuss any concerns you may have!