Four-legged thieves may steal dinner from the trash in homes across North Carolina every day, but it feels like the stakes are higher during the holidays. After all, nearly half of all whole turkeys consumed in the United States are served during Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s a lot of tempting turkey carcasses in a lot of trash cans. Add to that the reality that holiday gatherings mean more distractions—cooking multiple dishes, greeting guests, managing family dynamics—and pets have more opportunities to get away with mischief that might normally be caught. 

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As a house call veterinarian, I have a unique window into how the holidays actually unfold in people’s homes. I see the Christmas trees within paw’s reach, the visitors’ open suitcases on guest room floors, the overflowing trash cans after big meals, and the stressed-out pets hiding under beds while family gatherings buzz around them. The risks are real, but with some thoughtful preparation, you can keep your furry family members safe and relaxed throughout the season.

Let me walk you through the most important steps to protect your furry family members during the holidays.

Start With Updated Vaccines

If you’re planning to board your pet, have them stay with family or friends, or host other people’s pets during holiday visits, now is the time to check vaccination records. Many boarding facilities and doggy daycares require proof of current vaccines, and you don’t want to discover the week before your trip that your dog’s Bordetella booster expired last month.

Even if you’re not boarding, updated vaccines matter. Holiday gatherings often mean multiple dogs meeting at someone’s home—your sister’s new puppy, your parents’ older dog, your friend’s rescue who just joined their family. These social situations are wonderful, but they also increase exposure to disease. Making sure everyone is current on core vaccines (rabies, distemper, parvovirus for dogs; rabies and FVRCP for cats) and relevant lifestyle vaccines (Bordetella, canine influenza, leptospirosis) protects all the animals in attendance.

I recommend calling your veterinarian at least three to four weeks before you need documentation. Some vaccines require boosters or have waiting periods before they’re considered fully effective, and you want to give your pet’s immune system time to respond properly.

Create Safe Retreat Spaces

Not every pet loves a party. Some dogs and cats become overwhelmed by the noise, activity, and unfamiliar people that come with holiday gatherings. Others may not get along well with visiting pets. During my house calls, I see pets displaying stress in ways their families don’t always recognize—excessive panting, pacing, hiding, or becoming unusually clingy or withdrawn.

The solution is remarkably simple: give your pet a safe space where they can retreat when things get overwhelming. This might be a quiet bedroom with their bed, toys, and water. For dogs who are comfortable in crates, a covered crate in a calm area can become a cozy den. Baby gates are invaluable tools during the holidays—they allow you to section off areas of the home so your anxious cat can avoid the chaos, or so your exuberant puppy doesn’t overwhelm your elderly aunt who’s afraid of dogs.

If you’re hosting pets who might not get along with yours, separate spaces are non-negotiable. Even dogs who are normally friendly can become territorial when their home is invaded, or resource-guard their food bowls and favorite toys. Preventing conflicts is infinitely easier than managing them after they’ve already started. Set up your visiting dog in one room with everything they need, and give your resident pets their normal territory. Everyone will be happier and safer.

Address Anxiety Before It Becomes a Crisis

Does your dog pace and pant during car rides? Does your cat hide for days after you return from a trip? Does the doorbell send your pet into a barking or hissing frenzy? If you answered yes to any of these questions, don’t wait until December 23rd to address the problem.

Anxiety management works best when you plan ahead. There are more tools available now than ever before to help pets feel comfortable during stressful situations. Thundershirts and anxiety wraps provide gentle, constant pressure that many pets find calming—they’re like a reassuring hug. Enrichment activities like puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, and long-lasting chews can redirect anxious energy into something productive. Calming supplements containing ingredients like L-theanine, alpha-casozepine, or CBD (where legal and veterinarian-recommended) may take the edge off mild anxiety.

For pets with more significant anxiety, prescription anti-anxiety medications may be appropriate. These aren’t “drugging” your pet—they’re helping them cope with genuinely stressful situations in a way that improves their quality of life. Medications like trazodone or gabapentin can help a fearful dog tolerate a car trip to grandma’s house, or help a sound-sensitive pet get through New Year’s Eve fireworks. But these medications work best when you’ve had a conversation with your veterinarian ahead of time, tested the medication to ensure your pet tolerates it well, and have the prescription filled and ready to use.

I encourage pet parents to schedule a consultation at least two to three weeks before you need these interventions. That gives us time to discuss options, try different approaches if the first one doesn’t work perfectly, and ensure your pet is calm and comfortable when the big day arrives.

Guard Against Holiday Food Hazards

This is the big one. Rich, fatty foods like turkey skin, ham, gravy, and buttery side dishes can trigger pancreatitis in dogs—a painful, potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Even small amounts of these foods can cause severe gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea that leaves pets dehydrated and miserable.

Turkey and chicken bones are equally dangerous. Cooked bones splinter easily and can cause choking, mouth injuries, intestinal obstructions, or perforations that require emergency surgery. I’ve seen too many dogs suffer because someone thought “just one little bone” would be harmless.

Then there are the outright toxic foods. Chocolate, xylitol (found in sugar-free baked goods and candies), grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, and alcohol can all poison pets. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous. Xylitol causes a rapid, life-threatening drop in blood sugar, and even small amounts can trigger liver failure in dogs.

During holiday meals, I recommend these strategies:

• Keep trash cans secured or in cabinets that pets can’t access. A closed door to the garage or pantry works wonders.
• Remind guests—especially children—not to feed pets table scraps, no matter how much those puppy dog eyes beg.
• If you want to include your pets in the celebration, prepare a small portion of plain, unseasoned turkey breast or green beans specifically for them. Put it in their bowl as their “special meal” so they feel included without the health risks.
• Watch for signs of pancreatitis in the days following a big meal: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain (hunched posture, reluctance to move), or lethargy. These symptoms require immediate veterinary attention.

Protect Guests’ Belongings and Your Peace of Mind

My colleague Betsy Banks Saul, co-founder of Heal House Call Veterinarian, learned this lesson the hard way when her dogs discovered a chocolate hostess gift in a visitor’s overnight bag. Fortunately, she caught it in time, but the incident could have been tragic.

Many pets are intensely curious about new smells, and visitors’ luggage is irresistible. Suitcases contain unfamiliar scents, interesting textures, and sometimes delicious contraband like gum, candy, medications, or toiletries. A dog rifling through a guest’s bag might find sugar-free gum containing xylitol, prescription medications, or chocolate. Cats might knock over essential oil diffusers or get into cosmetics.

The solution is simple but requires communication. When guests arrive, ask them to keep their luggage closed and in a room with the door shut, or up on a dresser where pets can’t reach. Explain that your pets are friendly but nosy, and you’d hate for anyone’s belongings (or your pets) to come to harm. Most people are happy to comply once they understand the risk.

Special Considerations for Senior Pets

If you have an older dog or cat, the holidays can be particularly challenging. Senior pets thrive on routine and predictability. The disruption of holiday schedules—different meal times, altered walking routines, overnight guests sleeping in their favorite nap spot—can be surprisingly stressful for aging pets.

Additionally, senior pets are more susceptible to the effects of rich foods. Their digestive systems don’t tolerate dietary indiscretion as well as younger pets. Their joints may ache more when it’s cold, making them less tolerant of commotion and activity. And cognitive decline (similar to dementia in people) can make unfamiliar situations genuinely frightening for older pets.

Extra vigilance with senior companions goes a long way. Stick to their regular feeding schedule as much as possible. Make sure they have a quiet, comfortable space away from the action. Watch for signs of pain or distress. And if you notice changes in behavior or health during the holidays, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian. Waiting until after New Year’s to address a problem can make it much more serious.

Why House Call Veterinary Care Makes Sense During the Holidays

The holiday season is already stressful—traffic, shopping, meal planning, travel coordination. The last thing you need is to load a stressed pet into the car for a clinic visit during what might be the busiest weeks of the year.

This is where house call veterinary care truly shines. When I come to your home, I can see your pet in their own environment where they’re most comfortable. There’s no car ride anxiety, no waiting room full of other stressed animals, and no unfamiliar exam room. For anxious pets, senior pets with mobility issues, or multi-pet households, this approach dramatically reduces stress.

During the holidays, in particular, house calls allow me to assess your home setup and offer personalized advice. I can see where your Christmas tree is positioned and whether it’s adequately secured. I can point out potential hazards you might not have considered. 

Know Your Emergency Plan Before You Need It

As a house call veterinarian, I provide convenient, low-stress care in your home—but I can’t handle true emergencies that require surgery, overnight monitoring, or advanced diagnostics.

That’s why one of the most important things you can do before the holidays is identify your nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital. Find out where it’s located, how long it takes to get there from your home, and what their holiday hours are. Some emergency clinics have reduced staffing on major holidays, so knowing their schedules ahead of time can prevent panic if you need them. Program their phone number into your cell phone right now. Post it on your refrigerator. If you’re traveling with your pet or visiting family in another area, look up the emergency clinic near your destination before you leave.

Many pet emergencies happen in the evening or on weekends when regular veterinary clinics are closed. Knowing exactly where to go—and having already mapped the route—means you can act quickly instead of frantically Googling while your pet is in distress.

The Bottom Line: Prevention Is Everything

You certainly don’t want to spend your holiday at the veterinary emergency room or worrying about your sick pet. Many holiday pet emergencies could have been prevented with a little planning.

These precautions aren’t about limiting holiday fun or treating your pets like fragile creatures who need to be separated from family life. They’re about including pets safely in the celebrations so everyone can relax and enjoy the season together. Our pets are family members, and we want them healthy, comfortable, and happy throughout the holidays.

Take a few minutes this week to pet-proof your holiday plans. Update those vaccines, set up safe spaces, talk to your veterinarian about anxiety management, secure the trash cans, and brief your guests. Your future self—and your pets—will thank you when January arrives, and everyone is healthy, happy, and emergency-free.

If you need support preparing your pet for the holidays or would like to schedule a pre-holiday wellness check, I’m here to help. House call appointments mean I can work around your busy schedule, and you can avoid adding another stressful errand to your holiday to-do list.

Here’s to a safe, peaceful, and joyful holiday season for every member of your family—including the furry ones.

Your Pre-Holiday Pet Safety Checklist

Print this checklist and complete these tasks at least two weeks before your holiday celebrations:

□ Verify all pet vaccines are current; schedule boosters if needed

□ Identify and program the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital into your phone

□ Set up safe retreat spaces with baby gates, closed doors, or crates

□ Schedule a consultation with your veterinarian if your pet has anxiety about travel or visitors

□ Test any new anxiety medications or calming aids before the actual event

□ Purchase secure trash cans with locking lids or identify a locked room for disposal

□ Brief all guests about not feeding pets table scraps

□ Remind guests to keep luggage closed and in rooms with doors shut

□ Remove or secure low-hanging Christmas tree ornaments and tinsel

□ Stock up on safe, pet-appropriate treats so your pets can “celebrate” too

□ Review the symptoms of pancreatitis: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, hunched posture, lethargy

□ Post your regular veterinarian’s number and emergency clinic number on the refrigerator