Woodland Veterinary’s Top Tips For Keeping Your Pets Safe This Winter Holiday

Written By Jeremy Holland
Dr. Rebecca Burke's dog Watson enjoying a Vancouver Snow Day.

Veterinarian’s top 12 tips to keep your cats and dogs out of the vet clinic this winter.

The holidays in Vancouver can be magical, bringing some of the best moments of the season: snowy hikes on the North Shore, stockings filled with toys and treats, and quality time spent with loved ones. With all the added busyness, however, it’s easy for distraction to happen and accidents can follow. This holiday season we want to help you avoid this. Below are some tips to help keep your pets safe and healthy during the winter holidays:

  • Wipe those paws: After walks where salt or de-icers have been used, gently wipe your pet’s paws with a damp cloth to prevent irritation and accidental ingestion. Use pet-safe ice melt products for your home.

  • Keep chocolate out of paw’s reach. Chocolate is toxic to pets and should always be kept securely out of reach. 

  • Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Let’s face it, who really wants fruit cake anyway?

  • Poinsettias: best admired, not sampled. Poinsettias can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach if chewed or ingested. 

  • Skip the turkey scraps. Turkey skin is high in fat and can lead to pancreatitis. Turkey bones can splinter, causing serious injury or gastrointestinal obstruction. 

  • Seasonal flower arrangements containing lilies should always be kept out of cats’ reach. Even a small amount of the pollen can cause kidney failure in cats.

  • Avoid a holiday cat-astrophe. Don’t allow cats to play unsupervised with ribbon or tinsel. Watch out for wire chewers! Make sure all cords are tucked away or safely covered.

  • With guests coming and going, the holidays can be an overwhelming time for anxious pets. Create a calm, quiet space that pets can retreat to as needed.

  • Never leave pets unattended around candles and fireplaces. Curious noses and tails can easily result in fires and burns. 

  • Use plain water only in your Christmas tree stand. Avoid preservatives that may pose a risk to pets if ingested.

  • Don’t let it snowball! For long or curly coated breeds, a simple kitchen whisk is an easy and painless way to gently remove snowballs stuck to paws. 

  • Beware of rawhide in pet stockings. Rawhide can cause intestinal blockage and can occasionally harbour harmful bacteria. 

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season.

Dr. Rebecca Burke & Dr. Michelle Chen


Jeremy Holland