Christmas in the Philippines gets busy, with all the visits you need to make, often with friends and family near and far. You probably did not expect to see an increase in vet visits this December.

Here are some of the leading reasons why fur parents check their furbabies with their veterinarian during the holiday season:

Explosion Aversion

Two things that do not mix well are pets and loud noises. Unfortunately for our furbabies, December in the Philippines and the following Fiesta bonanza from January to February bring lots of explosions due to our love for fireworks.

Common house pets like dogs and cats are known for their powerful hearing. What allows Bantay and Miming to hear you open a can of pet food from rooms away also hurts them during a season of pyrotechnics, as loud explosions stress them due to their sensitive hearing.

Additionally, a pet’s attempt to get away from loud sounds could lead to injuries as they move around in panic or burrow in unhealthy places to look for safety. The risk increases for pets with complications, such as heart and lung disease. Fireworks also leave toxic fumes that are harmful to pets or worsen breathing issues.

Socialization Overstimulation

The rise in emergency pet visits in December also comes from visiting friends and family or traveling to see them. While many pets, even cats, enjoy attention, too much interaction creates problems.

Many pets, no matter how social they seem, suffer from overstimulation. Cute furbabies quickly become the center of attention at gatherings, and a usually social pet becomes grumpy. Stress can escalate until health issues appear.

This goes double for friends and families with their own pets. Animals could trigger instincts related to territoriality or protection, even to ones your furbaby is familiar with. New, unfamiliar ones can even lead to fights that can lead to needing emergency medical care for pets.

More Than Just Food Coma

Pets love treats, and the cuter your furbaby looks, the more treats people give.

This creates risk when well-meaning friends and family eat food toxic to pets. The Excelente ham or chocolate from the fountain guests often enjoy often ends up shared with pets. Many people still lack awareness about human food being unsafe for pets.

Celebrations also leave loose food unattended. A short moment without supervision leads to pets eating unsafe items. Even safe food leads to overeating, indigestion, choking, or digestive issues, such as swallowing large bones from chicken or fish dishes.

Decor Disasters

Christmas is a time for bright lights and festive decorations. Your furbaby, delighted at all the nice things being put up, could easily hurt themselves from all the holiday cheer on your mantelpieces, trees, or even the tree itself.

Depending on the size of your pet, decorations and other holiday ornaments can easily get into an inquisitive mouth. Your pet could be playing with the balls hanging from the tree one minute and choking on them the next. The material of your decorations or even that new tree you bought from a Lazada or Shopee sale could be toxic to your pets.

Pets, especially dogs and cats, love to bite objects. During Christmas, exposed lights increase the risk. A furbaby bites an electrical cord and suffers electrocution.

New Challenges

Pet travel has become more common and safe recently, allowing furbabies to bring their furbabies along wherever we go. But we humans often forget that we’re an extremely adaptive species that can easily shrug off an allergy or even an injured limb (after a visit to our own doctor and a few days recovering). The same can’t be said for our pets.

A casual visit to faraway friends and family can become quite a challenge for your pets. For one, the unfamiliar territory could stress them out, as most animals prefer the predictability that comes with the familiar, leading to them becoming overstressed due to an instinctual threat response.

Additionally, new areas can represent health risks your pet isn’t accustomed to. Plants and other items in a new place that are not present in your home area could easily be toxic, or at least allergic, to your pet.

Ensure Your Pet’s Holiday Cheer

The holidays need not be such a fearful time for you and your pets. Common safety practices, many of which you probably already do around your furbabies, can offset and avoid many of these outcomes.

But in the off chance that something bad happens, you can protect your furry kids by getting them insurance made especially for emergency medical care for pets. The latest pet healthcare products can include extensive medical coverage for accidents and injuries, ease of access and process to care services, and customization for their (and your) unique needs.

Check out our guide on how to get the best medical coverage for your pets. Our Reliable Insurance brokers are ready to assist you in choosing the right coverage for your furbabies so that Christmas remains a time of fun and festivities for them and you.

Contact Information for Inquiries and Support

If you have any questions or need assistance with your insurance, feel free to reach out to us:

• Call: +63 2 8631 9285 to 86
• Mobile: +63 917 138 5120
• Email: info@reliable-insurance.ph
• Messenger: m.me/reliable.insurancebrokersph

Sources:

• Animal Care Australia (2023, February 9), The Christmas Rush – 7 Reasons Why Vet Clinics Are Busy in December.
• VEG (2025, September 6), 7 Holiday Pet Safety Tips: How to Avoid an Emergency.
• The Manila Times (2025, December 4), Keeping Pets Safe This Holiday Season: 5 Festive Safety Tips for Pet Owners.