The holidays in South Florida may not come with snow and ice, but they do bring their own share of seasonal risks for pets. Jupiter Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care loves being part of your celebrations, but we also see how easily a joyful day with your pet can turn into a visit to urgent care due to holiday mishaps. Now is the time to be proactive about pet safety so you can enjoy the season without any unexpected emergencies.

Why Emergency Vet Visits Spike Around the Holidays

Even well-meaning pet owners can get caught off guard during the busy holiday season. With more people in and out of the house, extra food on the counter, and unfamiliar decorations everywhere, pets have more opportunities than usual to get into trouble. And while our team is always here for your pet with urgent care services during our regular business hours, we’d much rather help you avoid a visit in the first place.

Holiday Foods That Can Harm Dogs and Cats

Tempting treats and holiday meals can be dangerous for pets. Even small bites of certain foods can cause serious issues. Avoid sharing anything that includes:

• • Chocolate

• • Grapes or raisins

• • Onions and garlic (common in stuffing and sides)

• • Xylitol (found in sugar-free desserts)

• • Fatty scraps, bones, and alcohol

Urgent Vet Care Reality: Many emergency cases that involve toxicity, pancreatitis, or blockages are caused by pets eating something they shouldn’t have. Keep plates out of reach and inform guests not to feed your pets, even if they ask with those irresistible eyes.

Dangerous Décor When You Have Pets

Holiday decorations bring sparkle to the season, but they also introduce choking hazards, entanglement risks, and toxic materials for pets. Watch out for:

• • Tinsel, ribbon, and string (especially around cats)

• • Glass ornaments that can shatter and injure paws or mouths

• • Electrical cords for lights or inflatables

• • Batteries and small parts from holiday toys

• • Certain holiday plants like mistletoe

Pro Tip: If your seasonal decor can be batted, chewed, or swallowed by your animal companion, it needs to be secured or placed well out of reach.

Guest Stress and Open Doors

If you’re hosting gatherings, the increase in noise and door traffic can overwhelm pets and create escape risks.

• • Set up a quiet room where your pet can relax.

• • Provide calming aids, background music, or enrichment toys.

• • Let guests know not to feed or chase your pet.

• • Keep ID tags updated and get your pet microchipped if they aren’t already.

Common Holiday Pet Emergencies

Some frequent holiday-related conditions that veterinarians see for urgent care in Jupiter are:

• • Vomiting and diarrhea from eating something bad

• • Swallowed objects (ribbons, bones, decorations)

• • Anxiety-related behaviors or self-injury

• • Toxic reactions to plants or foods

• • Accidents due to pet escapes or guest mishandling

If your pet shows signs like vomiting, sudden lethargy, tremors, or breathing difficulty, reach out for urgent veterinary care.

Keep Your Pet Out of Veterinary Urgent Care in Jupiter, FL

Your pet may not understand the holidays, but they do rely on you to keep them safe through the festivities. With a few simple precautions, you can increase the odds of avoiding an urgent visit and enjoy everything the season has to offer. If your pet does need care, Jupiter Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care has emergency vet services in Jupiter for cats, dogs, and pocket pets from Palm Beach Gardens, Juno Beach, Jupiter, and neighboring Florida areas.

Call us when your pets need care during our business hours (holiday hours will differ). When our animal hospital is closed, contact your nearest 24-hour emergency vet.