The holidays are a time of joy, glitter, and gifts—but if you’ve got a curious pup (or a mischievous cat), your festive setup might be a minefield of pet hazards disguised as holiday cheer. One of the most overlooked dangers? Gift wrap. Yes, that innocent-looking paper, ribbon, and tape combo can turn into a gastrointestinal nightmare faster than your dog can say “Is that bacon?”
So let’s unwrap the truth: Can dogs eat gift wrap? Technically, they can. But should they? Absolutely not. And it’s not just gift wrap—there’s a whole sleigh-load of seasonal dangers that pet parents need to know about.
Table of Contents
- The Gift Wrap Trap: Why It’s Not Just Paper
- The Ribbon Rule: Just Say No
- Tape, Tags, and Tinsel: The Hidden Hazards
- Food Gifts: The Smell That Gets Them Every Time
- Plastic Wrap, Foil, and Cellophane: The Sneaky Stuff
- Decorative Plants: Pretty but Poisonous
- Shopping Bags and Boxes: Not Just for Playing
- Signs Your Pet Ate Something They Shouldn’t
- How to Keep Pets Safe During Gift Season
- The Bottom Line
The Gift Wrap Trap: Why It’s Not Just Paper
At first glance, gift wrap seems harmless. It’s just paper, right? But here’s the thing: most commercial wrapping paper is coated in dyes, laminates, glitter, or metallic finishes that make it anything but digestible. When ingested, these materials can cause:
- Stomach upset (vomiting, diarrhea)
- Choking hazards, especially with crinkly or foil-based paper
- Intestinal blockages, which may require surgery
- Toxicity, depending on the inks and coatings used
And that’s just the paper. Ribbons, bows, and tape are even worse. Long, stringy materials like curling ribbon can get tangled in your dog’s intestines, causing a condition called a linear foreign body obstruction—a fancy term for “your dog swallowed something stretchy and now their guts are in trouble”.
The Ribbon Rule: Just Say No
Ribbons are like catnip for cats and a chew toy for dogs. But they’re also one of the most dangerous items under the tree. If swallowed, they can:
- Wrap around the tongue or get stuck in the stomach
- Saw through the intestines as they move, causing internal damage
- Require emergency surgery to remove
Veterinarians see a spike in ribbon-related emergencies every holiday season. So unless you want to spend Christmas Eve at the emergency vet, keep the curly stuff out of paw’s reach.
Tape, Tags, and Tinsel: The Hidden Hazards
Let’s not forget the supporting cast of gift wrap accessories:
- Tape: While not toxic, it can clump up in the stomach and cause blockages.
- Gift tags: Often laminated or coated in plastic, they’re a choking hazard waiting to happen.
- Tinsel: Especially dangerous for cats, tinsel is shiny, irresistible, and deadly. It can slice through the intestines like a garland of doom.
Food Gifts: The Smell That Gets Them Every Time
You might think you’ve hidden that box of chocolates or jar of peanut brittle well, but your dog’s nose knows. Edible gifts are one of the biggest holiday hazards for pets. Common culprits include:
- Chocolate: Toxic to dogs and cats, especially dark chocolate
- Xylitol: A sugar substitute found in gum and baked goods that can cause liver failure in dogs
- Nuts: Macadamia nuts are particularly toxic to dogs
- Alcohol: Even small amounts can be dangerous
- Coffee and tea: Caffeine is a no-go for pets
If you’re wrapping food gifts, store them in a pet-proof area until it’s time to open them. Better yet, skip putting them under the tree altogether.
Plastic Wrap, Foil, and Cellophane: The Sneaky Stuff
Dogs don’t just eat what’s in the gift—they’ll eat the packaging too. Plastic wrap and foil are especially dangerous because they can:
- Cause choking
- Lead to intestinal blockages
- Tear or puncture the digestive tract
Even cellophane, which seems flimsy, can bunch up in the stomach and cause serious issues. If your dog gets into any of these materials, monitor them closely and call your vet at the first sign of distress.
Decorative Plants: Pretty but Poisonous
Holiday plants are festive, but many are toxic to pets. The worst offenders include:
- Mistletoe: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and even seizures
- Holly: Sharp leaves and toxic berries make this a double threat
- Poinsettias: Mildly toxic, but still cause stomach upset
- Yew and plastic berries: Often used in wreaths and gift toppers, both are dangerous if ingested
If you’re using these plants in your décor or gift wrapping, keep them far from curious noses and paws.
Shopping Bags and Boxes: Not Just for Playing
We’ve all seen the videos—cats diving into gift bags, dogs nosing through boxes. It’s adorable… until it’s not. Plastic shopping bags can cause suffocation or choking, especially if a pet gets their head stuck. And boxes with staples, tape, or leftover food residue can be a recipe for disaster.
Always clean up after wrapping and keep finished gifts in a pet-free zone. It’s cute until someone ends up in the ER.
Signs Your Pet Ate Something They Shouldn’t
If your dog or cat gets into gift wrap or other holiday hazards, watch for these warning signs:
- Vomiting or retching
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Lethargy or restlessness
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Excessive drooling
- Gagging or coughing
If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait. Call your vet or an emergency animal clinic immediately. Timing is critical when it comes to foreign object ingestion.
How to Keep Pets Safe During Gift Season
Here’s your holiday pet-proofing checklist:
- Wrap gifts in a pet-free zone and store supplies out of reach
- Avoid ribbons, tinsel, and edible decorations
- Keep food gifts off the floor and away from the tree
- Use pet-safe wrapping alternatives like fabric wraps or plain kraft paper
- Supervise pets during gift exchanges—yes, even the “good boy” who “never chews anything”
- Clean up immediately after unwrapping gifts
And if you want to include your pet in the festivities? Give them a safe, pet-approved toy or treat. No wrapping required.
The Bottom Line
Gift wrap might seem like harmless fun, but for pets, it’s a buffet of potential hazards. From ribbons that slice to chocolate that poisons, the holidays are full of hidden dangers for our furry friends. But with a little awareness and a lot of common sense, you can keep the season merry, bright, and vet-bill-free.
Because nothing ruins a holiday faster than a dog with a belly full of tinsel.
