Christmas hazards for dogs
Plants, Foliage, Furnishings & Small Objects
This is not food — we covered that in Poisonous Christmas Foods for Dogs.
This is all the other Christmas crap that injures dogs every single year.
December changes houses overnight.
Dogs don’t suddenly become careful.
Plants & Festive Foliage- Mistletoe – toxic. Berries are worse. Vomiting, drooling, heart issues.
- Holly – toxic berries and sharp leaves. Mouth injuries and stomach upset.
- Poinsettia – irritating and toxic if chewed. The sap causes mouth and gut irritation.
- Real Christmas trees – needles irritate mouths and guts, tree water can contain fertilisers or bacteria, and yes, dogs do chew branches.
Furnishings & decorations
- Tinsel – one of the most dangerous decorations. If swallowed it can slice through the intestines. This is surgery, not “wait and see”.
- Baubles – glass cuts mouths and paws, plastic causes blockages.
- Lights & cables – chewing causes burns, electric shocks and fire risk.
- Candles – wagging tails + open flames = disaster.
- Potpourri, scented pinecones & decorative oils – often contain essential oils and chemicals. Toxic if licked or eaten.
- Bauble hooks, wire and ornament fastenings – sharp, swallowable and easily dropped.
Small objects & batteries (this bit is serious)- Button batteries
If chewed this is an immediate emergency. They cause severe chemical burns to the mouth, throat and stomach very fast.
Do not wait. Go straight to the vet. - Small “snack-sized” objects:
- Lego
- Cracker toys
- Mini decorations
- Coins
- Hooks, screws, nails
If it can disappear into a mouth, it can choke or block a dog. They do not “just pass it”.
Wrapping & packaging- Wrapping paper – foil, ink and plastic coatings. Swallowed paper can choke or block, especially when it’s scrunched.
- Sellotape – sticky, stretchy and easily swallowed. It can stick in the throat or intestines and cause serious blockages.
Dogs love helping unwrap presents. They are awful at knowing when to stop.
Clothing- might look cute but your dog can’t remove clothing and can easily become over heated, overwhelmed, irritated- and we all know what that feels like.
Final reminders:
Your dog isn’t being naughty.
They’re just being a dog in a house full of new smells, clutter and distractions.
Lift small items.
Clear floors and tables.
Secure the tree.
Bin the tinsel.
Tidy as you unwrap.
This post isn’t dramatic — it’s preventative. If it stops even one dog needing surgery or emergency treatment, it’s worth it.
Please read. Please share. 
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More Public Service Announcements for Dog Owners
This is one of several Public Service Announcements for dog owners, focused on real-world risks and the things that most often land dogs in trouble. You’ll find links to more PSA posts here as they’re published.