Holiday Hazards to Avoid, How to Keep Your Pets Safe This Season

Holiday Hazards to Avoid, How to Keep Your Pets Safe This Season

by Lyndsey Kleven

Click to show previous image Click to show next image

As pet owners gather with family and friends this holiday season, it's important to remember the health risks associated with including pets in festive feasts. While it may be tempting to let furry family members indulge, some human foods and drinks can lead to emergency health situations for dogs and cats.

"Pets are naturally curious, especially around food and beverages, but certain holiday treats are particularly bad for them," says Dr. Emily Tincher, Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide. "Many pet owners are unaware that even small amounts of festive staples can lead to illness, from mild stomach upset to more serious toxic reactions, causing discomfort for pets and unexpected stress for the family during the holidays."

• Chocolate Toxicity: 19% of Nationwide's 2023 chocolate toxicityclaims were submitted in December, with a 140% spike in claims in the final two weeks. Ingesting chocolate can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, a racing heart rate, and even seizures in severe cases. Estimated treatment cost*: $830
• Alcohol Toxicity: Even small amounts can cause lethargy, vomiting, and respiratory distress. Estimated treatment cost:$988
• Pancreatitis: Caused when pets eat fatty foods like ham, dark meat turkey, turkey skin, and gravy, pancreatitisis the painful and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas, causing symptoms like vomiting and lethargy. Estimated treatment cost:$1,400+, depending on the severity of the case

*Based on 30 days after diagnosis, 80^th percentile of claims received

Festive Foods to Avoid
In addition to chocolate, fatty foods, and alcohol, keep pets away from these holiday ingredients:

• Onions, Garlic, and Chives: Can cause anemia in dogs and cats
• Grapes and Raisins: Can lead to kidney failure in dogs
• Spices: Nutmeg, cloves, allspice, onion and garlic powder, and paprika should all stay off the menu due to risk of stomach upset or toxic reaction
• Xylitol (found in sugar-free items): Can cause severe drops in blood sugar and liver failure in pets
• Bones and Corn Cobs: Can either splinter while chewing or become lodged in a pet's stomach or intestines

Fun Foods to Offer
If you want to indulge your pet this holiday, stick with small samplings of foods that they'll love, and won't make them sick. Make sure morsels are appropriately sized for your pet's mouth and won't be swallowed.

• Pumpkin (puree, not pie filling): Mix a spoonful into their food bowl or bake it into a pet-safe cookie recipe.
• Apple: Packed with fiber and vitamins A and C, apples can be sliced or diced into the food bowl.
• Carrots: Raw or cooked carrots are good for pets' teeth and packed with beta-carotene and fiber.
• Green beans: These fiber-rich veggies can be steamed or raw.
• White-meat turkey: Plain, cooked, unseasoned turkey breast can be a protein-packed treat for pets.

Nationwide's digital platform, the Pet HealthZone®, is a free tool pet parents can use to determine their pet's unique risk levels and learn about symptoms to watch for, what to expect at the vet, and potential costs associated with treatment of conditions like toxicityand foreign body ingestion.

With Nationwide pet insurance, eligible veterinary expenses may be reimbursed based on the member's chosen coverage. To explore pet health insurance coverage for dogs, cats and many avian and exotic pets, visit PetInsurance.comⁱ.

ⁱ Some exclusions may apply. Certain coverages may be excluded due to pre-existing conditions. See policy documents for a complete list of exclusions and any annual limits that may apply. Plans may not be available in all states. Policy eligibility may vary.

Products underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Columbus, OH; National Casualty Company (all other states), Columbus, OH. Agency of Record: DVM Insurance Agency. All are subsidiaries of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Subject to underwriting guidelines, review and approval. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. Insurance terms, definitions and explanations are intended for informational purposes only and do not in any way replace or modify the definitions and information contained in individual insurance contracts, policies or declaration pages, which are controlling. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ©2024 Nationwide.

Download assets

Newsroom