Holiday Indulgence and Pets: Keeping Them Safe, Calm, and Healthy
The holidays are right around the corner, and I’ll be the first to admit that I’m already anticipating a few questionable culinary decisions. Honestly, I’m looking forward to them. But while I understand how holiday food and stress affect me, I can’t help but think about how this season impacts our pets—who don’t get to choose what they eat or how much chaos surrounds them.
Holiday routines are anything but routine, and that disruption can take a real toll on our pets’ physical and emotional well-being.
Influencing Factors
Several common holiday habits can unintentionally put pets at risk:
Foods outside of your pet’s regular diet are one of the biggest culprits. Many holiday foods are far higher in fat, sugar, and salt than pets can safely tolerate.
Irregular mealtimes also play a role. Between shopping, parties, travel, and traffic, feeding schedules often get pushed aside.
Guests may feed pets under the table—or pets may help themselves to dropped food when no one is looking.
Pet-inappropriate foods are often left within reach. Grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, macadamia nuts, and foods containing artificial sweeteners are toxic to dogs and cats. Artificial sweeteners, in particular, can cause a rapid and potentially fatal drop in blood sugar.
Traveling to visit friends and family can increase stress levels, which may lead to gastrointestinal upset.
Visiting pets belonging to friends and relatives may expose your pet to illnesses or diseases they haven’t encountered before.
Holiday plants are another hidden danger. Many common seasonal plants are highly poisonous to pets.
What These Factors Affect
The gastrointestinal system is often the first to suffer. This includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, colon, and anus. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and loss of appetite.
One serious gastrointestinal emergency to be aware of is bloat. Signs include a distended abdomen, pacing, restlessness, burping, drooling, dry heaving, or an inability to defecate. Bloat is life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary care.
Exposure to other pets or travel increases the risk of infectious diseases, including tick-borne illnesses and canine or feline viral infections.
Overloading your pet’s system with inappropriate foods can stress or damage the kidneys, liver, and pancreas—organs responsible for filtering toxins and regulating metabolism.
Pancreatitis in Dogs
Pancreatitis in dogs is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed and begins to digest itself instead of aiding digestion. The pancreas plays a critical role in producing digestive enzymes and regulating blood sugar. When it is overwhelmed—often by high-fat foods, sudden dietary changes, obesity, or underlying medical conditions—it can trigger severe inflammation.
Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, and a hunched or “praying” posture. Pancreatitis can range from mild to acute and requires prompt veterinary care, as untreated cases may lead to organ failure or systemic complications. Treatment often includes hospitalization, pain control, fluid therapy, and long-term dietary changes to prevent recurrence.
Emergency and Aftercare
Many holiday-related medical concerns escalate quickly without veterinary intervention. Know where your nearest emergency veterinary hospital or clinic is located. A hospital has a veterinarian on-site, while a clinic may have one on call. Always inform them before leaving so staff can prepare for your arrival.
If you’re traveling, download a veterinary locator app to your smartphone before you leave.
In cases of suspected poisoning, minutes matter. The Pet Poison Helpline (1-855-764-7661) is staffed by pharmacology-trained veterinarians and can provide critical instructions before you reach your vet. While it is not a free service, it may save your pet’s life.
Preventive Care
Supplements such as probiotics, herbs, oils, and other nutritional supports may strengthen your pet’s metabolic systems. Always consult a holistic or homeopathic veterinarian to determine what is appropriate for your individual pet.
Mindfulness matters. Pay attention to what your pet eats and monitor their stress levels. The CDC acknowledges stress as a major contributor to illness in humans, and pets’ immune and metabolic systems react in much the same way.
Hydration is critical. Well-hydrated pets are more resilient and less susceptible to stress-related illness.
Music designed specifically to calm pets is widely available through Amazon, YouTube, and streaming platforms.
Create a safe harbor for your pet—a quiet place they can retreat to when the holidays become overwhelming. This may be a covered crate or a closed bedroom.
Essential oils such as lavender or chamomile may be diffused using a water-based diffuser. Avoid hot plate diffusers, which can denature oils and release toxins. Do not diffuse essential oils around birds or cats.
Reiki or other energetic modalities may support relaxation and emotional balance, but they should always complement—not replace—modern veterinary care.
Closing Thought
Holiday indulgence doesn’t have to come at the expense of your pet’s health. By staying aware, planning ahead, and responding quickly to concerns, you can reduce—or even prevent—long-term consequences.
The holidays are meant to be joyful, and with a little intention and care, they can be safe, healthy, and happy for everyonein the household—pets included.