Lunar New Year Pet Safety: Firecrackers, Snacks, Plants and Guests

Lunar New Year is risky for pets mainly because of firecrackers, festive snacks and holiday plants. Firecracker noise makes frightened pets bolt, and unused or spent firecrackers can burn or poison a curious dog. Chocolate coins, xylitol sweets, macadamia nuts, salted seeds, cured sausage and fatty leftovers cause most of the food emergencies. Narcissus bulbs and potted citrus are toxic to dogs and cats, and lilies in New Year flowers can kill a cat. Keep your pet indoors with ID on, put snack trays and flowers out of reach, and give it a quiet room away from the visitors.

Firecrackers and fireworks

Firecrackers harm pets in three ways: fear, burns and swallowed debris.

• Fear and escape. The ASPCA notes that it isn’t unusual for frightened pets to run away during fireworks. Keep your pet indoors on the noisiest nights, especially New Year’s Eve and the first days of the new year, close windows and curtains, and walk dogs on a leash and a well-fitted harness at quieter times of day.
• Burns. Contact with a recently lit firework can burn a pet’s paws, lips, nose and mouth, according to Pet Poison Helpline. Never set off firecrackers with your pet nearby.
• Unused and spent firecrackers. The ASPCA warns that even unused fireworks can be dangerous, because many contain potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals. Pet Poison Helpline lists stomach and intestinal upset, organ injury and seizures as possible effects of eating one, depending on the chemicals inside. Signs to watch for include vomiting, a painful belly and bloody diarrhea.

The AVMA advises checking the yard for firework debris before pets go outside, since debris can drift in even if you set off nothing yourself. Red paper and spent casings often cover streets, lanes and courtyards after the celebrations, so keep your dog from sniffing and picking up scraps on walks. If your pet eats a firecracker, do not try to make it vomit; call a vet. Our guide to fireworks and thunder fear explains how to prepare a nervous pet and help it through the night.

Festive snacks on the coffee table

New Year candy trays sit at nose height for most dogs and stay out for days, so keep them on a high shelf or in a closed cupboard.

• Chocolate gold coins and other chocolates are toxic to dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the greater the risk. See can dogs eat chocolate.
• Sugar-free candy, gum and some baked goods may contain xylitol, which can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage in dogs. Check labels on gift boxes. See xylitol and dogs.
• Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, wobbliness, vomiting, tremors and overheating in dogs. Other nuts, such as almonds, pecans and walnuts, are high in fat and oil. See can dogs eat macadamia nuts.
• Raisins and other grape products in snack mixes and baked goods can cause kidney failure in dogs. See can dogs eat grapes.
• Salted and flavored seeds, such as sunflower and melon seeds, are a poor snack for pets. The ASPCA says too much salt can cause thirst, frequent urination and abnormal blood electrolytes, and the AKC says the salt in packaged sunflower seeds can cause salt toxicosis.
• Seed shells pile up in bowls and on the floor while guests chat. The AKC warns that sunflower seed shells are too hard to digest and can block the digestive tract. Empty shell dishes often and sweep the floor.

New Year meals and leftovers

Rich holiday food is the other big source of trouble. Keep your pet’s meals the same as usual and ask relatives not to slip it food from the table.

• Cured and preserved meats, such as Chinese sausage, cured pork, ham and dried meats, are high in salt and fat. The AKC notes that cured ham is very salty and fatty, and the same applies to other cured meats. See can dogs eat ham.
• Fatty leftovers, such as pork belly, skin, braised fatty dishes and pan drippings, can trigger pancreatitis. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists eating unusual or inappropriate food as a common risk factor in dogs. Signs include vomiting, belly pain, loss of appetite and diarrhea.
• Bones from chicken, duck, fish and pork ribs can injure or block the digestive tract, the ASPCA warns. Cooked bones splinter easily.
• Onion, garlic, scallions, leeks and chives are common in dumplings, stir-fries and sauces. The ASPCA warns that these Allium plants can irritate the gut and damage red blood cells, leading to anemia, and cats are more susceptible than dogs. See can dogs eat onions and can dogs eat garlic.
• Alcohol, including rice wine, baijiu, beer and dishes cooked with wine, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, poor coordination and depression. Don’t leave cups on low tables during toasts.

Take the kitchen trash out often. A bin full of bones, fat and wrappers is the easiest target in the house.

New Year flowers and plants

Flower markets fill homes with plants before the holiday, and several popular ones are toxic. Check our plant safety guide before you buy.

• Chinese sacred lily (narcissus) is a Narcissus, the same genus as daffodils, which the ASPCA lists as toxic to dogs and cats. The bulb is the most poisonous part. Narcissus can cause vomiting, drooling and diarrhea, and large amounts can cause tremors, low blood pressure and heart rhythm problems. Bulbs sitting in shallow dishes of water and pebbles are easy for a dog to grab.
• Lilies in New Year bouquets are extremely dangerous for cats. Every part, including the pollen and the water in the vase, can cause kidney failure. Leave them out of homes with cats. See lilies.
• Lucky bamboo is a Dracaena, not a true bamboo, and is mildly toxic to dogs and cats. Chewing it can cause vomiting and drooling, and cats may also have dilated pupils. See lucky bamboo.
• Potted citrus trees are a New Year favorite. The ASPCA lists the calamondin orange (Citrus mitis) and the orange tree as toxic to dogs and cats because of their essential oils and psoralens, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and depression. The fruit flesh is edible, but the peel, leaves and stems can cause problems. Keep pets from chewing the tree or eating fallen fruit whole.
• Safer choices include the moth orchid (Phalaenopsis) and the money tree (Pachira aquatica), which the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs and cats. See orchids and money tree.

Red envelopes, decorations, candles and incense

Decorations are mostly a risk for chewers and for cats that play with anything that dangles.

• Strings, tassels and ribbons on lanterns, knots and gift boxes can be swallowed. The AVMA warns that ribbon and similar string-like items can lodge in the intestines and may need surgery to remove. If you see string hanging from your pet’s mouth or bottom, do not pull it. Call your vet.
• Red envelopes are only paper, but a puppy or a bored dog will chew whatever is left on a low table. Keep red envelopes, and the cash inside, put away.
• Small ornaments, hanging charms and gold-colored trinkets can be swallowed whole. Hang them above the reach of your pet.
• Candles, oil lamps and incense draw curious pets. The AVMA warns that a pet left alone with a lit candle could start a fire. Keep anything burning where a tail or paw cannot reach it, and never leave it burning in an empty room.

Visitors, travel and boarding

Lunar New Year brings crowds of relatives, open doors and long trips home, and each one is a chance for a pet to get lost or stressed.

• ID and microchip. Make sure your pet wears an ID tag with a current phone number and that the microchip registry lists your current details. The ASPCA and AVMA both recommend this before noisy holidays.
• Watch the door. Pets slip out while you greet guests and take coats. Use a baby gate or keep the pet in another room while people arrive and leave.
• A quiet room. The AVMA suggests a room or crate away from the commotion that guests won’t enter, with water, a bed, a litter box for cats and a favorite toy.
• Children and handling. Ask young visitors not to chase, pick up or feed your pet, and let the pet decide when to come out.
• Travel. Some pets cope poorly with travel because of illness, age or temperament. The AVMA suggests a reliable pet-sitter or a boarding facility instead, and recommends talking to your vet about whether your pet can fly, especially short-nosed breeds.
• Boarding. Places fill up early before a major holiday, so book well ahead, and ask your vet which vaccinations the boarding facility requires.
• Routine. Keep feeding, walking and bedtime as close to normal as you can. A predictable day helps pets cope with the noise and the crowd.

When to call a vet

Call your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away if your pet eats a firecracker, chocolate, xylitol, macadamia nuts, raisins, onion or garlic, alcohol, a narcissus bulb, any part of a lily (for cats) or a bone, even if it seems fine for now. Some poisonings take hours or days to show. Note what your pet ate, roughly how much and when, and bring the packaging. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. Clinic hours often change over the New Year holiday, so find your nearest 24-hour emergency hospital before the holiday starts. Our pet first aid guide covers what to do on the way.

Quick reference

Sources

• ASPCA, How to Have a Fantastic Fourth of July with Your Pets
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
• ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List: Daffodil (Narcissus spp.), Lily, Calamondin Orange, Orange, Moth Orchid, Money Tree
• Pet Poison Helpline, Fireworks
• Pet Poison Helpline, Fireworks Safety for Dogs and Cats
• American Veterinary Medical Association, July 4 safety
• American Veterinary Medical Association, Winter holiday pet safety
• American Kennel Club, Can Dogs Eat Sunflower Seeds?
• American Kennel Club, Can Dogs Eat Ham?
• Merck Veterinary Manual, Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Paws Off Xylitol; It’s Dangerous for Dogs

This guide is general information and not a substitute for veterinary advice.