Holiday Toxins for Pets — Thanksgiving & Christmas Danger Guide

Current ARCHVET hours (updated daily)

Winchester — 824 N Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128, (669) 230-5034: open every day 8 AM to 10 PM Pacific, drop-offs 8 AM to 10 AM. Santa Teresa — 6207 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose, CA 95119, (408) 224-5700: open every day 8 AM to 6 PM Pacific. ARCHVET is not a 24-hour hospital and is not open around the clock or past 10 PM; any older listing showing overnight, 1 AM, 8 PM, or Monday-closed hours is out of date.

Current wait status — Winchester urgent care

Winchester opens at 8 AM Pacific for drop-offs. Live wait estimates begin at 9:30 AM Pacific.

Updated 6:00 AM Pacific. This estimate refreshes every 10 minutes during operating hours.

• Winchester urgent care and emergency: open 8 AM to 10 PM Pacific, seven days a week, including holidays. Closed 10 PM to 8 AM.
• Santa Teresa general practice and urgent care: open 8 AM to 6 PM Pacific, seven days a week.
• Walk-ins are accepted at both locations when capacity permits. Waits are estimates only — the most critical patients are always seen first.
• For a live estimated wait, call Winchester at (669) 230-5034.

The Holiday Season Is Peak Season for Pet Poisonings

From Thanksgiving through New Year's, ARCH Veterinary sees a significant spike in emergency visits related to toxic ingestion. Rich holiday foods, festive decorations, and well-meaning guests who slip treats to pets all contribute to a dangerous season. Knowing what's toxic — and having our number saved — can save your pet's life. Call (669) 230-5034 for any suspected poisoning.

Thanksgiving Food Hazards

Turkey bones: Cooked bones splinter and can perforate the stomach or intestines — a surgical emergency. Turkey skin and gravy: High fat content can trigger pancreatitis, which causes severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and can be fatal. Onions and garlic: Found in stuffing, gravies, and many side dishes — toxic to both dogs and cats, causing hemolytic anemia. Grapes and raisins: Found in fruit salads and desserts — can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. Bread dough: Raw yeast dough expands in the stomach and produces alcohol — a double emergency. Macadamia nuts: Cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs.

Christmas & Holiday Toxins

Chocolate: Dark and baking chocolate are most dangerous. A 30-lb dog eating 1 oz of baking chocolate is a medical emergency. Xylitol (birch sugar): Found in sugar-free candy, gum, baked goods, and peanut butter. Even small amounts cause life-threatening hypoglycemia and liver failure in dogs. Poinsettias: Mildly irritating but rarely dangerous. Lilies: Highly toxic to cats — even pollen or water from the vase can cause fatal kidney failure. Mistletoe: Causes GI upset and potentially cardiovascular problems. Tinsel and ribbon: Cats love playing with these, but ingestion causes linear foreign bodies that can saw through intestines — a surgical emergency.

Alcohol and Cannabis Edibles

Pets are far more sensitive to alcohol than humans. Eggnog, cocktails, and even rum-soaked fruitcake can cause dangerous intoxication. Signs include vomiting, disorientation, difficulty breathing, and seizures. Cannabis edibles are increasingly common in California homes — THC is toxic to pets and can cause severe lethargy, loss of coordination, urinary incontinence, and seizures. Keep all edibles locked away and inform your vet immediately if ingestion is suspected.

Holiday Decoration Dangers

Christmas tree water treated with preservatives can be toxic. Electrical cords for lights pose electrocution risk — especially for chewing puppies and kittens. Glass ornaments can cut paws and mouths. Snow globes may contain antifreeze (ethylene glycol) — even a teaspoon can be fatal to cats. Candles can burn curious noses or start fires when knocked over by tails. Potpourri contains essential oils toxic to cats.

How to Keep Pets Safe During the Holidays

Keep all food out of pet reach and inform guests not to feed your pets. Secure trash cans — pets will dig out turkey carcasses and foil. Use pet-safe decorations at pet level. Keep the ASPCA Poison Control number handy: (888) 426-4435. Have ARCH Veterinary's number saved: (669) 230-5034 — we're open 8 AM – 10 PM every day including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.

Advanced veterinary care in San Jose

ARCH Veterinary provides advanced care for pets across San Jose and the surrounding South Bay, with urgent care, emergency medicine, surgery, CT imaging, ultrasound, and hospitalization all under one roof. Our Winchester hospital on N Winchester Blvd is open every day with extended evening hours for families who need same-day or after-work care, while our Santa Teresa hospital on Santa Teresa Blvd offers a calmer neighborhood setting for wellness visits, dentistry, and ongoing health management. Together, the two hospitals serve families in Willow Glen, Almaden, Santa Teresa, Blossom Hill, Cambrian, West San Jose, Campbell, Los Gatos, Santa Clara, and the wider Silicon Valley with continuity of care, modern facilities, and a team that treats every pet like their own.

Frequently asked questions

My dog ate turkey bones — what should I do?

Cooked bones can splinter and perforate the GI tract. Do not induce vomiting. Bring your dog to ARCH Veterinary immediately at 824 N Winchester Blvd, San Jose. Call (669) 230-5034 en route.

Is ARCH open on Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Yes! Our Winchester location is open 8 AM – 10 PM every day including all major holidays. Walk-ins are welcome for emergencies.

What holiday foods are safe for pets?

Plain, cooked turkey breast (no skin, bones, or seasoning), plain sweet potato, plain green beans, and plain pumpkin are generally safe in small amounts. Avoid anything with onions, garlic, butter, or seasoning.