Keep the Holidays Happy: Preventing Choking Hazards for Pets
The holidays are a time for family, food, and fun — but they can also bring hidden dangers for our furry family members. Between the festive treats, decorations, and excitement, it’s easy to overlook what our pets might get into. As pet parents and guardians, one of the most important ways we can show love is by keeping them safe — and that starts with awareness.
🎁 Common Holiday Choking Hazards
During the holidays, pets are surrounded by tempting new sights and smells. Unfortunately, many of these are potential choking hazards:
Bones and table scraps – Turkey, ham, and chicken bones can splinter and lodge in your pet’s throat or intestines.
Small toys and ornaments – Shiny, dangling decorations are irresistible to curious pets but can easily become lodged in their airway.
Gift wrap and ribbons – Cats especially love to play with curling ribbon, but swallowing it can cause choking or intestinal blockage.
Nuts and hard candies – These are just the right size to block a pet’s airway if swallowed whole.
🦴 How to Prevent a Holiday Emergency
Prevention is your best defense. A few simple steps can go a long way:
Keep food out of reach and dispose of bones right away.
Choose pet-safe decorations and skip tinsel or small ornaments.
Supervise playtime when new toys are around.
Educate guests about what’s safe for your pets to eat and play with.
❤️ What to Do if Your Pet Starts Choking
Even with precautions, accidents can happen — and that’s where confidence through knowledge makes all the difference.
If your pet starts choking:
Stay calm. Your energy affects your pet’s response.
Check their mouth carefully for visible obstructions, but never reach in blindly.
If they can’t breathe or collapse, knowing how to perform pet CPR or a pet Heimlich maneuver can save their life.
That’s exactly why we offer hands-on pet first aid and CPR training — to empower pet parents and professionals to respond quickly and effectively in those critical moments.
🌟 Be Your Pet’s Superhero
Every pet guardian has the ability to be their pet’s first responder. The more we know, the more confident and capable we become when emergencies strike — and the holidays are the perfect reminder of why that matters.
Let’s make this season one filled with warmth, laughter, and safety for the furry friends who make our lives complete.
