Short answer: keep your dog safe at Christmas by securing the tree and covering its water, keeping toxic plants and holiday foods (chocolate, grapes, onions, and anything with xylitol) well out of reach, giving your dog a quiet place to retreat from the noise, and sticking to their normal diet instead of table scraps. Below is the room-by-room, food-by-food rundown.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. The holidays are my favorite time of year with a dog in the house, but a Christmas home is full of small hazards that are easy to miss when you're hosting, cooking, and wrapping gifts. Here's how we keep the season merry and safe.
How do you make a Christmas tree safe for your dog?
A decorated tree is the single biggest new hazard you bring indoors in December. Three things matter most:
- Anchor the tree. Secure it to a wall or ceiling with fishing line so a bumped tree can't tip onto your dog.
- Cover the water. Tree stand water can harbor bacteria, mold, and preservatives or fertilizers that upset a dog's stomach. Keep the basin covered so your dog can't drink from it.
- Move breakable and edible ornaments up. Glass ornaments, tinsel, and salt-dough decorations are tempting and can cause cuts or intestinal blockages. Keep the lower branches boring, and tuck light cords away so they can't be chewed.
Which holiday plants and foods are toxic to dogs?
Several classic Christmas plants are toxic if eaten. Holly and mistletoe can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and poinsettias are a milder irritant. Keep all of them out of reach or opt for artificial versions. The ASPCA keeps a searchable list of toxic and non-toxic plants if you're unsure about anything in your home.
The bigger risk is usually the food. Keep these away from your dog entirely:
- Chocolate — the darker it is, the more dangerous. Per the American Kennel Club, even small amounts of baking chocolate can be toxic.
- Grapes and raisins — hiding in fruitcake and stuffing, these can cause kidney failure.
- Onions and garlic — common in gravies and casseroles; toxic to dogs in enough quantity.
- Xylitol — a sweetener in sugar-free gum, candy, and some peanut butters that can trigger a dangerous drop in blood sugar.
- Fatty and spicy foods — rich holiday scraps can cause pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes serious condition. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that a sudden high-fat meal is a well-known trigger.
The ASPCA also publishes a full list of people foods to avoid feeding your pets. When in doubt, don't share it.
How do you keep your dog calm during holiday gatherings?
A house full of guests, doorbells, and noise is a lot for many dogs. Set up a quiet retreat — a bedroom or a crate in a low-traffic room with their bed, water, and a favorite chew — so they have somewhere to decompress. Brief your guests, especially kids, on how to approach the dog and to leave them alone when they've gone to their spot.
A long-lasting chew is genuinely useful here: it gives your dog a calm, absorbing job while the party goes on. We make our bully sticks from a single ingredient — 100% real beef, no rawhide, fully digestible, and ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms. That's exactly the kind of treat I hand a dog before the doorbell starts ringing.
How do you protect your dog in cold weather?
If you're somewhere with snow, short-haired and small dogs feel the cold quickly. A well-fitted coat helps on walks, and you'll want to watch outdoor time in deep cold. After every walk, wipe your dog's paws: ice-melt and de-icing salts are irritating and can be harmful if licked off. Check between the pads for packed ice, too.
What are safe treats and gifts for your dog at Christmas?
It's fun to include your dog in the gift pile — just keep the treats simple and safe. I'm biased toward single-ingredient chews because there's nothing hidden in them: no additives, no fillers, just one 100% natural, 100% real meat ingredient that's fully digestible. If you like making homemade treats, a dog-safe peanut butter treat is a holiday classic — just double-check the label says no xylitol first.
Every chew we sell is 100% high-quality guaranteed, which is the standard I want for my own dogs during a season when they're already getting into more than usual.
The bottom line
Christmas with a dog is one of the best parts of the season. Anchor the tree and cover its water, keep toxic plants and foods out of reach, give your dog a quiet place to escape the crowd, mind the cold, and stick to safe, simple treats. Do that and you're set for a happy, tail-wagging holiday.
This post was last updated at July 22, 2026 20:46
