8 Nights of Hanukkah With Pets: Safety Tips

During Hanukkah, we get to bask in the beautiful light of the menorah, enjoy delicious food with family and friends and unwrap beautifully decorated gifts. But those of us celebrating with our pets need to take added precautions to help ensure the holiday is safe and fun for all. So, as you prepare to celebrate the eight nights with your whole family, check out our eight tips for bringing your pet into the Hanukkah festivities.

8 Hanukkah tips for you and your pets

1. Be careful with flames

The centerpiece of the Hanukkah celebrations, the menorah, will require especially vigilant safety precautions if there are pets nearby—especially young or senior pets. Rambunctious kittens and puppies might be curious about the flickering candles or knock the candelabra over when playing. Older pets, whose eyesight may no longer be what it once was, could also be at risk of bumping into tables and knocking over items.

Also consider your pets’ habits if you’ll be lighting up a fireplace during the holidays. If you won’t be able to closely supervise your pet when the fire is roaring, you’ll need to find a safe and secure place where they can relax away from the flames.

As accidents can easily happen, experts recommend using flameless battery candles instead of traditional ones and keeping pets at least 3 feet away from a fireplace or wood stove and out of reach of outside chimney vents. Take a look at the location of your cat’s or dog’s favorite bed or your bird’s cage. If they’re close to a natural or gas fire, they’ll need to be relocated, as the heat, gas and nearby glass or metal surfaces may retain heat that can be dangerous for your pet.

Pets also shouldn’t have access to electrical cords since chewing on them can be fatal. If you are using any additional cords or extension cords for the celebrations, be sure those are pet-safe. There are several sprays that can be used as repellants, but also keep acceptable chewing choices for your furry friends on hand and be sure to cover or protect any cords they may find enticing.

2. Keep your pets away from certain foods and alcohol

Food prepared for humans isn’t always the safest option for spoiling pets. Consider ordering an extra-special food your cat loves so your furry family members can join you in a safe mealtime with the family. Keep in mind that treats (of any kind) should make up no more than 10% of your pets’ daily calories. If you just can’t help yourself, however, and want to offer your pets a taste of your feast, consider the following:

• Plain roasted chicken is an acceptable treat for cats and dogs, but remember that the meat will need to be cooked without any seasoning, oil or butter and the bones must be removed and discarded!
• Be careful with brisket, as cats and dogs are both prone to pancreatitis when they consume high-fat food. If you choose to offer a small amount of brisket, it should be cooked without seasoning, oil or butter.
• While finished treats, like rugelach or latkes, are not acceptable for pets to eat as they can be toxic to pets as a whole, some of the ingredients may be able to be shared during their preparation!
  • Birds can be offered a plain walnut as an occasional treat (but not too many as they are also high in fat)
  • Dogs can have a snack of plain, cooked potato
• Unbaked challah dough poses a serious health risk due to the rising yeast.

For other food considerations, take a look at our previous post: Holiday People Food: What’s Safe for Your Pets and What’s Not.

3. Don’t let your pets get into the wrapping

2. Create a Safe Gift-Wrapping Zone

Scissors, tape, ribbon and wrapping paper may seem harmless, but they pose real risks to curious pets. Ribbons and string can be swallowed and cause life-threatening intestinal blockages, while scissors are an obvious sharp-object hazard. Tape and paper can also be chewed and ingested, leading to digestive upset or obstruction https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.

The simplest solution: designate one room in your home as the wrapping room for the entire Hanukkah season and keep pets out for the duration. If a dedicated room isn't possible, follow these steps every single time you wrap:

1. Keep pets out of the area while wrapping is in progress — even a brief distraction is enough time for a pet to grab a ribbon or chew through tape.
2. Store wrapped gifts in a secure location — on a high shelf, in a closed closet or behind a baby gate — so pets can't investigate (and destroy) them between now and the big night.
3. Clear every supply before pets return — scissors, tape dispensers, ribbon spools, tissue paper and stray scraps should all be put away or in a closed bag before you let your pet back into the space.

3. Protect Pets from Seasonal Decorations

Hanukkah decorations add warmth and beauty to your home, but some common items can become hazards when pets are nearby. Tinsel, metallic garland and small ornamental pieces are especially tempting to cats and dogs and can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control. Candles on the menorah present an open-flame risk — a wagging tail or a jumping cat can knock one over in seconds. Place your menorah on a high, stable surface well out of your pet's reach, and never leave lit candles unattended when pets are in the room.

Quick decoration safety checklist:

• Secure the menorah on a high, stable surface away from curious noses and wagging tails
• Keep tinsel, metallic garland and small ornamental pieces out of reach or skip them entirely
• Tuck electrical cords for any decorative lighting behind furniture or use cord covers
• Sweep up fallen wax, broken glass or small decorative pieces promptly

4. Watch Out for Small Items — Especially Gelt

While you'll want to include your pets in all the festivities, some Hanukkah rituals and games involve small objects — like dreidels and gelt — that are genuinely dangerous for pets to interact with.

Dreidels are small enough to be swallowed whole by a medium or large dog and can splinter if chewed, creating a choking or obstruction risk.

Gelt is a double hazard:

• Foil-covered chocolate gelt is toxic to both dogs and cats. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, compounds that pets cannot metabolize the way humans do. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate and, in serious cases, seizures https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.
• Coin-shaped gelt (real currency) poses a swallowing and choking risk, and coins — particularly pennies minted after 1982 — contain zinc, which is toxic to pets if ingested https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.

If you suspect your pet has eaten chocolate or any coin, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately. Keep all gelt, dreidels and small game pieces in a bowl or bag that's out of your pet's reach throughout the holiday.

5. Prepare for Parties

Ideally, your dog practices his training consistently year-round. But when you're expecting several guests, it's worth reviewing basic social manners and cues such as "sit," "stay" and "off" in the days leading up to the event. Brushing up on these cues can help you, your dog and your guests enjoy the festivities — and head off any overexcited moments before they happen.

Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise on the day of the party, especially if he's younger or a high-energy breed. A good walk, a game of fetch or an active play session will help him burn off pent-up energy so he's calmer and more settled when guests arrive with all their new smells, sounds and excitement.

If your pet finds parties stressful, set him up in a quiet, secure spot before guests arrive:

• A spare bedroom, a crate (if he's crate-trained) or any calm, out-of-the-way space works well
• Make sure he has fresh water, a cozy bed and a few favorite toys to keep him comfortable
• Check in on him periodically throughout the event — don't leave him isolated for the entire party
• If there's any chance a guest might accidentally leave a door, window or gate open, a secured room is the safest option regardless of how social your pet normally is

If your pet experiences separation anxiety or any other anxiety issue, factor that into your plan well before party night. When in doubt about how best to support your pet's physical and mental wellbeing, consult your veterinarian or a certified trainer.

6. Get Them Groomed

Regular grooming supports your pet's skin and coat health — and the holiday season is a great reason to schedule a session. A freshly washed coat, trimmed nails and brushed teeth will have your furry friend looking and feeling his best for every celebration. Book your grooming appointment early; Petco grooming salons fill up quickly around the holidays.

7. Play with Outfits

You might dress up for the holiday parties you host or attend, and if your pet is agreeable, he can too. Some pets want nothing to do with clothing — and that's perfectly fine — but others are happy to sport a Hanukkah dog sweater, a festive collar or a bow tie for guests and photo opportunities. There are also fun options for your Hanukkah cat.

A few tips to make the experience positive for everyone:

• Introduce outfits early — don't wait until the day of the party. Give your pet several days to get used to the feel of clothing.
• Order with time to spare — if you're shopping online, allow enough lead time for exchanges in case the fit isn't right. Better yet, bring your pet into a local Petco store for sizing.
• Start with short sessions — limit outfit-wearing to just a few minutes at a time and gradually increase as your pet grows more comfortable.
• Read their signals — if your pet remains visibly uncomfortable or stressed in the days leading up to your event, skip the outfit this year and work on it slowly for next year's celebration. Their comfort always comes first.

8. Organize Gifts

By now, your to-do list for enjoying Hanukkah with pets is probably nearly finished, but here’s a reminder not to forget gifts for your pets! Having a few new festive Hanukkah pet toys will help them feel as part of the celebration as the rest of the family. Select gifts that will help capture your pet’s attention so they are less likely to get after cords (see tip #1) or decorations. Keep wrapping minimal (or nothing) for your pet’s gifts so they remain pet-friendly, and as you lay their gifts out with the rest of your family’s, make sure that any human gifts that may contain food or candy are out of reach, or carefully monitored, to ensure your pet stays safe.

The holidays can be fun for everyone in your family, including your pets. With proactivity and patience, they can have a safe eight nights to remember along with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is menorah candle wax toxic to dogs or cats if they chew or lick it? Most plain paraffin or beeswax candles are considered low-toxicity, but scented or dyed candles may contain additives that can irritate your pet's digestive tract. If your pet ingests any amount of candle wax or wick material, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately for guidance. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

What Hanukkah foods are dangerous for pets? Several traditional holiday foods pose real risks. Chocolate gelt is toxic to both dogs and cats. Unbaked challah dough contains active yeast that can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol, causing a life-threatening emergency. Latkes and rugelach are typically made with onion, garlic, sugar or fat — all harmful to pets. High-fat foods like brisket can trigger pancreatitis in dogs and cats. When in doubt, keep human food off your pet's plate and consult your veterinarian before sharing anything from the table. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

Can I give my dog or cat a small taste of plain roasted chicken during the Hanukkah feast? Yes — plain, fully cooked, boneless, skinless chicken with no seasoning, oil or butter is an acceptable occasional treat for dogs and cats. Remember that treats of any kind should make up no more than 10% of your pet's daily caloric intake. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/

Is dreidel or gelt a choking hazard for pets? Yes. Dreidels and foil-wrapped chocolate gelt coins are both small enough to be swallowed by curious dogs or cats and should be kept well out of reach. Beyond the choking risk, chocolate — even in small foil-covered pieces — is toxic to pets. Store game pieces and decorations in a closed container or a room your pet cannot access. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

How do I keep my pet calm and safe during a Hanukkah party with lots of guests? Before the event, give your dog a long walk or vigorous play session to help burn off excess energy. Review basic cues like "sit," "stay" and "off" in the days leading up to the party. Set up a quiet, secure space — a spare room or a crate if your pet is crate-trained — stocked with fresh water, a cozy bed and a few favorite toys. Check in on your pet periodically throughout the evening. If your pet experiences separation anxiety or is easily overwhelmed, speak with your veterinarian or a knowledgeable trainer well before the holiday.

What should I do if my pet chews a holiday electrical cord? Chewing an electrical cord can cause burns to the mouth, cardiac arrhythmia or worse — treat it as an emergency. Remove your pet from the area safely, do not touch a cord that may still be live, and get your pet to a veterinarian immediately. To prevent this, use cord covers or pet-deterrent sprays, keep extension cords tucked away and provide appropriate chew toys to redirect your pet's attention away from cords entirely. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

This article was created with assistance from AI tools and reviewed for accuracy by Petco's content team.