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Holiday Dangers for Pets: What You Need to Know About Decorations and Insurance

During the holiday season, homes are filled with candlelight, the smell of Christmas trees, shiny decorations, and an abundance of treats. However, while these changes may seem cozy to us, they can pose a danger to our pets – especially curious cats and active dogs. Veterinarians warn that poisoning, burns, and even surgeries due to swallowed decorations are more common during the holidays. In addition, certain disasters can cause not only health problems for animals, but also property damage – which is why it is important to know how pet or home insurance can help.

Pet and home insurance

How can you protect your pets from these dangers? Follow these tips:

  • Secure the decorations and keep them away from your pet. If a cat runs around the house, it can knock over both decorative garlands and light bulbs. Therefore, hide the wires or attach them to furniture so that the animal cannot reach them and chew on them. Do not hang very long ribbons or glitter where the animal can reach them – it is better to avoid using loose ribbons at all or hang them high. After the holidays, tidy up – immediately collect torn packaging ribbons, cellophane bags, plastic strips and other small items so that the animal does not swallow them.
  • Protect your pet from dangerous plants. Do not keep poinsettias, amaryllis, lilies, mistletoe, holly or other poisonous plants in your home – they can cause severe poisoning in cats or dogs. If you do decorate with fresh flowers, place them where your pet cannot reach them. It is a good idea to check the plants from time to time to make sure they have not been nibbled on – if you notice any signs of nibbling, remove the plants. You can offer cats a safe alternative – catnip or a special herb for cats – to satisfy their curiosity without nibbling on poisonous flowers.
  • Never leave burning candles unattended – extinguish them when you leave the room. Festive candles add coziness, but use them only where your pet cannot reach or trip over them. It is better to use decorative LED candles, which look similar but do not pose a fire risk.
  • Protect your Christmas tree and its surroundings. Cover the tree’s water in a container so your pet can’t reach it and lick it – the liquid in the stand may contain fertilizers, preservatives and resins, which are toxic. Sweep up fallen needles daily – even a couple of swallowed sharp needles can get stuck in your throat or injure your intestines. Also, make sure there are no traces of chemicals left on your decorations (for example, if you used mothballs to store your decorations throughout the year).
  • Don’t decorate the Christmas tree with food. Avoid hanging sweets, cookies or edible garlands (e.g. dried fruit) – animals will smell them and try to reach them, knock over the tree or get sick if they eat them. Keep holiday treats safe: put chocolate, sweets, nuts where your pet cannot reach them. Also remind guests not to leave plates of treats within reach of your pet – chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, alcohol are especially dangerous.

Insurance – how can it help in case of an accident?

Even with all precautions, accidents happen. Properly chosen insurance can significantly reduce the financial burden.

Pet Insurance

Helps cover veterinary costs if:

  • the pet is poisoned by decorations, plants or food;
  • injures himself (e.g. cuts his paw on a broken toy);
  • swallows a foreign body and requires surgery;
  • suffers burns from candles or electricity;
  • urgent assistance is needed during holidays or weekends.

It is important to delve into the terms and conditions of a specific insurance: what risks are insured, what the benefit is, and what the deductible is.

Home insurance

During the holiday season, pets sometimes unintentionally cause damage not only to themselves but also to household property. Home insurance can help if:

  • the animal causes a fire (e.g. knocks over a burning candle);
  • a bitten wire causes a short circuit;
  • Damage to insured household property due to the actions of an animal.

It is important to check whether your insurance policy covers events caused by pet behavior – this is not always automatically included.

The holidays bring a lot of joy, but they also require more attention to our pets. A responsible approach to decorations and plants, advance preparation, and a thoughtful choice of insurance are the basis for holidays that are safe for all family members.

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