Discover which holiday treats and traditions are safe for pets, according to an annual report by Veterinarians.org.

During the holidays, pets are exposed to more hazards than usual, according to Veterinarians.org, a website that releases an annual report on holiday pet safety with insight from veterinarians around the country.

To create the 2021 report, a team at Veterianarians.org looked at Google Trends data over five years to show that there's traditionally an uptick in Google searches for an ER vet during the last two weeks of December.

From Dec. 15, 2020, to Jan. 2, 2021, Google searches for ER vet were most popular in the state of Utah, where searches were three times more popular than in the next leading state. Other states where Google searches for ER vet were most popular include Colorado, Florida, Ohio, Massachusetts, Georgia, Pennsylvania and California.

"Given the increase in Google searches for emergency veterinarians during the holiday season, the issue is one that requires increased awareness," the report reads. "While the dangers to which pets may be exposed during the holiday season are many, with proper education, families can keep their companion animals safe while still including them in holiday traditions."

Discover which holiday treats and traditions are safe for pets, according to the report.

The most common holiday hazards for pets include toxic plants, anti-freeze, rock salt, wired lights, broken ornaments and toxic foods.

For instance, Christmas trees often attract the attention of dogs and cats. If a tree is not securely anchored, it can potentially fall onto and injure an animal. Tree water also poses a danger, as bacteria are known to grow and thrive in sitting water, which may cause gastrointestinal upset in an animal if ingested, as can any added Christmas tree fertilizer.

Pet owners can fix the issue by securing a Christmas tree to a wall or ceiling and blocking the tree off with a playpen, baby gate, or another barrier to keep pets safe while additionally covering the tree stand with aluminum foil to discourage pets from drinking from it.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals receives over a quarter of a million cases of potential animal poisonings per year and plants are the eighth-most reported pet toxin, accounting for 40% of all calls, per the report.

Seasonal plants such as mistletoe, holly, lilies, azaleas, evergreens and poinsettias are all toxic to animals. Ingestion of such plants can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and in some cases, even cardiovascular issues. Cats in particular are especially vulnerable to lilies, which can cause kidney failure if ingested.

In a home filled with pets, artificial plants are the safest option when it comes to holiday decor, the report determines.

With the holidays comes snow and ice for many. Though the removal of the white stuff is necessary, the report suggests pet owners opt for a brand of anti-freeze or ice melt that omits ethylene glycol and labels itself as non-toxic.

As for rock salt, this commonly used ice melt is an irritant to paw pads. If an animal licks irritated paws as a result of walking on rock salt, ingesting the chemical can cause vomiting.

Ice melts with a propylene glycol base are a safer alternative for households with animals.

Ornaments are another danger to pets. Shards of broken ornaments can cut a pet’s mouth and tear the animal’s digestive tract. Pet owners should always hang breakable ornaments out of a pet’s reach or opt for pet-safe, non-toxic and non-edible ornaments to decorate the Christmas tree.

Curious cats are especially drawn to tinsel and other types of ribbons, but if ingested, these items can obstruct a cat’s digestive tract, which can lead to vomiting and severe dehydration. In many cases, surgery may be the only means of removing the obstruction.

Additionally, sharing human foods like chocolate and other foods containing xylitol (baked goods, peanut butter, candy, and pudding among them) is dangerous to pets. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause liver failure and even death in dogs and cats.

Read the full report here.

Angela Mulka has a bachelor's degree in journalism, focused on environmental science and health reporting, from Michigan State University. She realizes the importance of representation for all people in storytelling and values the field because of its commitment to uncovering truth. Born and raised in Michigan, Angela hopes to become a voice for the natural world to protect our planet for generations to come. Connect with her on Twitter @angelamulka.