For many families, the festive season is a time of celebration. But for veterinarians, it’s one of the busiest and most stressful periods of the year. Emergency animal hospitals around the world report dramatic spikes in cases over the year-end holidays, with many linked directly to festive foods, decorations and routine disruptions.
“Cats and dogs are exposed to a completely different environment during the holidays,” explains Dr Karien Brink from Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “There are rich foods, tempting decorations, new visitors, travel and stress. All of these increase the risk of serious, but preventable, emergencies.”
Here’s what vets see most commonly, and how to prevent your holiday from becoming a statistic.
1. Festive food = Digestive emergencies for dogs and cats
December brings indulgence for humans, and unfortunately, accidental indulgence for pets, too.
Dogs may get into bins or scavenge dropped snacks, while cats may help themselves to unattended plates or nibble on fatty leftovers. Even small amounts of rich foods can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, or pancreatitis.
Scraps like cooked bones are especially dangerous for dogs as they can splinter and cause blockages or perforations. Both dogs and cats can react severely to foods containing gravy, fats, onions, or garlic.
“Most gastrointestinal emergencies in December come down to pets getting access to food they shouldn’t. Even a tiny amount of the wrong thing can make them very sick.”
Rather, stick to pet-formulated treats. If your cat or dog does experience tummy trouble, nutrition can play a crucial role in recovery. Hill’s Prescription Diet food for Digestive Care or Recovery is formulated to be highly palatable and calorically dense, helping pets regain strength and maintain energy when illness or surgery has taken its toll.
Tasty Tips
2. Decorations, ribbon, and tinsel = Serious risk for curious cats and dogs
Decorations are one of the biggest holiday hazards, especially for cats, who are naturally drawn to stringy, shiny objects.
Tinsel, ribbon, ornaments and wrapping paper can cause intestinal obstructions if swallowed. Linear foreign bodies, where a long string-like object becomes lodged, are particularly common in cats and require emergency surgery.
Dogs, especially puppies, may chew on ornaments, lights, batteries, or plastic decorations, which can lead to choking, intestinal blockages, or electrical burns.
Keep your home safer by:
Avoiding the use of tinsel where you can
Keeping ribbon and wrapping paper out of reach
Securing bins after unwrapping gifts
Supervising cats around trees
Protecting electrical cords
3. Toxic treats: What’s safe for humans can be dangerous for pets
The holiday season presents several high-risk ingredients that can be hazardous to both cats and dogs.
Common toxic exposures include:
Chocolate (dogs at highest risk)
Xylitol (found in sugar-free baking)
Raisins and grapes (in fruitcake, mince pies and snacks are extremely toxic to dogs)
Onions and garlic (common in festive gravies, broths and leftovers)
Both dogs and cats are sensitive to many sauces, marinades and seasonings. Dogs may ingest larger quantities, thereby increasing the risk.
“These are some of the most serious emergencies we see,” says Dr Brink. “Toxins can have delayed symptoms, which is why people sometimes don’t realise the danger until it’s advanced.”
When recovery is needed, Prescription Diet On-Care provides sustained nutritional support. With high-quality proteins, essential fatty acids, and Hill’s ActivBiome+ Digestion Technology, it helps pets rebuild strength, preserve lean muscle, and maintain resilience during the healing process.
4. Festive stress: A big, overlooked cause of illness
Visitors, loud gatherings, kids at home, travel, boarding, fireworks and unfamiliar routines can all trigger anxiety in dogs and cats.
In dogs, stress often shows up as diarrhoea or colitis. Cats may hide, refuse to eat, over-groom, or develop digestive upset. Stress can also contribute to behavioural issues like inappropriate urination.
Brink adds, “If your pet is prone to anxiety, prepare early. Therapeutic diets formulated for digestive sensitivity and stress can help stabilise the gut and improve resilience during busy or unfamiliar periods.”
Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Stress for dogs and c/d Multicare Stress for cats* are available in both wet and dry varieties, making it easier to encourage eating even in stressed or anxious pets.
5. Puppies, kittens, and cables: A dangerous combination
With extra lights, extension cords and holiday setups, vets see an increase in electrical injuries during December, particularly in teething puppies and playful kittens.
Chewing through cords can cause painful burns inside the mouth, making eating and drinking difficult. Small toys, batteries, and festive ornaments also pose choking or ingestion risks.
Make your space pet-safe by:
Taping down cables
Unplugging lights when unsupervised
Giving puppies safe chew toys
Keeping tiny objects and batteries well out of reach
Dr Brink’s three essential rules to keeping your pets safe this festive season
No human food, ever. This single rule eliminates most holiday emergencies for dogs and cats.
Strengthen the gut before stressful events. If you expect travel, guests, or boarding, start supporting your pet’s digestive health early with food that contains ingredients to help manage stress.
Secure the environment. Protect decorations, manage cables, close bins and keep food firmly out of reach.
“Pets are part of our family,” says Dr Brink. “With a few simple precautions, the festive season can be safe, calm and joyful for both dogs and cats.”
* If you’re anticipating a stressful event, such as fireworks or even holiday kennels, it’s recommended you transition your pet onto a stress-reducing food two to four weeks beforehand. However, many pet parents have reported positive results as early as a few days. If your pet is a nervous type, you can consider this food for long-term feeding.
Visit the Hill’s website for more information
Media queries
Julia Rice | Republic PR | julia@republicpr.co.za
Related products
Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan HAIRBALL & PERFECT COAT Adult cat food with Chicken is specially formulated to effectively help avoid hairball formation in adult cats while promoting a beautiful coat. Thanks to its mix of essential Omega-6 fatty acids, this food benefits the cat's skin and fur keeping them healthy and shiny. Our Advanced Fibre Technology helps reduce hairballs by naturally promoting their passage through the gut. This food is formulated with high-quality protein for a perfectly balanced, great-tasting recipe.
Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Cat Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food is specially formulated to fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life.
Kitten Food
Hill's Science Plan Kitten Wet Cat Food Premium Chunks in Sauce with Chicken is a complete pet food for kittens and for pregnant or nursing cats
Hypoallergenic Dry Cat Food
HILL'S SCIENCE PLAN Hypoallergenic Adult cat food with egg & insect protein is a complete pet food for adult cat 1–6 years old. It's formulated for cats with delicate skin and stomach, with limited high quality novel protein sources & no grain.
Related articles
The Right Diet For Your Pet
Learn what to look for in healthy pet food & nutrition, including ingredients, quality of the manufacturer, your pet's age, and any special needs they have
Understanding Your Pet's Microbiome
Learn what a pet's microbiome is, how it contributes to your pet's gut & overall health, and why nutrition is important in maintaining healthy microbiomes.
Proteins
Learn all about how proteins work in your pet to help them grow strong and healthy tissue and organs.
Pet Food Storage Tips
Where you store your cat and dog food can make a big difference in the quality and freshness once it is opened. Here are some common questions and recommendations for optimal storage for all of Hill’s dry and canned cat and dog food.
Put your pet on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your pet on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.